Mary vs Maryville: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Mary runs $10,492 less per year; Maryville graduates 4 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 Mary if…
- The number on the bill matters: Mary lists $10,492 less per year in tuition and housing than Maryville, and neither charges by residency.
- Your transcript is a strength: Mary admits 75% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Maryville if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Maryville graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than Mary.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Maryville is $2,000 lower than at Mary.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Maryville against none listed at Mary.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Maryville admits 95% of applicants.
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 | Mary | Maryville |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $21,468 — Mary leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $27,166 |
| Room & board | $8,506 — Mary leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,300 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $29,974 — Mary leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $40,466 |
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 | Mary | Maryville |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 68% | 72% — Maryville leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $60,909/yr | $62,105/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,000 | $22,000 — Maryville leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 39% | 35% — Maryville leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
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 | Mary | Maryville |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 75% | 95% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,794 | 9,883 |
| Where it is | Bismarck, ND | Saint Louis, MO |
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 | Mary | Maryville |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NSIC | GLVC |
| Head coach | Tara Wheeler | Chanin Billings |
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 | Mary | Maryville |
|---|---|---|
| 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 II, so the scholarship rules are identical: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based 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.
Mary
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.
Maryville
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Summer Elite Camp III08/07/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $125
- August Kids Camp08/12/2026 · 3rd Grade - 8th Grade · $35 - $70
Mary vs Maryville: common questions
- Is Mary or Maryville cheaper?
- On published price, Mary is cheaper — about $29,974 a year in tuition and housing, against $40,466 at Maryville. 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, Mary or Maryville?
- Maryville, at 72% against 68% at Mary (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Mary and Maryville offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division II: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
- Do Mary and Maryville run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Maryville and none currently listed at Mary. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Mary and Maryville?
- 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.
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 Mary and Maryville accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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