Jones vs National Park: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs. Jones runs $2,891 less per year out of state.
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 Jones if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Jones lists $2,891 less per year in tuition and housing than National Park.
- You would be in-state: Jones is $2,050 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than National Park.
Lean National Park if…
- On the figures we hold, National Park does not lead Jones 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 | Jones | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $4,000 — Jones leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $6,050 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $6,000 — Jones leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $7,280 |
| Room & board | $5,114 — Jones leads on this measure: lower room & board | $6,725 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $9,114 — Jones leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $12,775 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $11,114 — Jones leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $14,005 |
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 | Jones | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 36% | 36% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $32,444/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $10,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 32% |
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 | Jones | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,305 | 2,308 |
| Where it is | Ellisville, MS | Hot Springs, AR |
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 | Jones | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MACCC | OCAC |
| Head coach | Tori Dew | Dorrie Cormier |
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 | Jones | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Jones
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
National Park
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Jones vs National Park: common questions
- Is Jones or National Park cheaper?
- On published price, Jones is cheaper — about $11,114 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $14,005 at National Park. 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, Jones or National Park?
- Both report a 36% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Jones and National Park offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
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 Jones and National Park accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
Start free