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…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at National Park against none listed at Jones.
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 in | $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 |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 1 listed (1 with dates) |
| 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. 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.
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
- Winter Prospect Camp12/12/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $60
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.
- Do Jones and National Park run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at National Park and none currently listed at Jones. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-2024). 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?
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