Loras vs Marietta: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Loras runs $2,704 less per year; Loras graduates 7 points more of its students.
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 Loras if…
- The number on the bill matters: Loras lists $2,704 less per year in tuition and housing than Marietta, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Loras graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Marietta.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Loras is $1,000 lower than at Marietta.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Loras against none listed at Marietta.
Lean Marietta if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Marietta admits 79% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Loras | Marietta |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $39,824 | $39,652 |
| Room & board | $9,668 — Loras leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,544 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $49,492 — Loras leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $52,196 |
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 | Loras | Marietta |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 68% — Loras leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 61% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $58,289/yr | $57,180/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 — Loras leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $27,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 45% — Loras leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 47% |
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 | Loras | Marietta |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 100% | 79% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,213 | 1,171 |
| Where it is | Dubuque, IA | Marietta, OH |
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 | Loras | Marietta |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ARC | OAC |
| Head coach | Ashley Winter | Jenn Castle |
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 | Loras | Marietta |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | 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.
Loras
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Loras Softball Advanced Hitting Camp12/05/2026 · 10th Grade - College Sophomore · $50
- Loras Softball Pitching Camp12/05/2026 · 3rd Grade - 12th Grade · $40
Marietta
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.
Loras vs Marietta: common questions
- Is Loras or Marietta cheaper?
- On published price, Loras is cheaper — about $49,492 a year in tuition and housing, against $52,196 at Marietta. 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, Loras or Marietta?
- Loras, at 68% against 61% at Marietta (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Loras and Marietta 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 Loras and Marietta run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Loras and none currently listed at Marietta. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Loras and Marietta?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Loras and Marietta accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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