Hardin-Simmons vs Thomas: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Hardin-Simmons runs $2,254 less per year; Hardin-Simmons graduates earn $9,780 more a decade out.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Hardin-Simmons if…
- The number on the bill matters: Hardin-Simmons lists $2,254 less per year in tuition and housing than Thomas, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Hardin-Simmons graduates earn about $9,780 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Hardin-Simmons against none listed at Thomas.
Lean Thomas if…
- On the figures we hold, Thomas does not lead Hardin-Simmons on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Hardin-Simmons | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $31,686 | $30,896 |
| Room & board | $10,634 — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,678 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $42,320 — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $44,574 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Hardin-Simmons | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 50% | 51% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $54,771/yr — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $44,991/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,711 | $24,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 45% — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 54% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Hardin-Simmons | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,655 | 1,669 |
| Where it is | Abilene, TX | Waterville, ME |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Hardin-Simmons | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ASC | NAC |
| Head coach | Casey Wilson | Jennifer Plourde |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Hardin-Simmons | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Hardin-Simmons
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Prospect Camp | September 19th09/19/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $120
Thomas
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Hardin-Simmons vs Thomas: common questions
- Is Hardin-Simmons or Thomas cheaper?
- On published price, Hardin-Simmons is cheaper — about $42,320 a year in tuition and housing, against $44,574 at Thomas. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Hardin-Simmons or Thomas?
- Thomas, at 51% against 50% at Hardin-Simmons (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Hardin-Simmons and Thomas offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do Hardin-Simmons and Thomas run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Hardin-Simmons and none currently listed at Thomas. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Hardin-Simmons and Thomas?
- Thomas runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Hardin-Simmons, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Hardin-Simmons and Thomas accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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