Mary vs William Jewell: Softball Program Comparison

Two D2 programs. Mary runs $1,129 less per year.

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 $1,129 less per year in tuition and housing than William Jewell, and neither charges by residency.
  • Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Mary admits 75% of applicants.

Lean William Jewell if…

  • Your transcript is a strength: William Jewell admits 38% 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.

What it costs to go there: Mary compared with William Jewell
MeasureMaryWilliam Jewell
Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency.$22,356$20,610 — William Jewell leads on this measure: lower published tuition
Room & board$8,506 — Mary leads on this measure: lower room & board$11,381
Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid.$30,862 — Mary leads on this measure: lower total cost per year$31,991

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.

What you leave with: Mary compared with William Jewell
MeasureMaryWilliam Jewell
Graduation rate67%68%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry$60,909/yr$59,268/yr
Median debt at graduation$24,000$24,498
Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back.39% — Mary leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn41%

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.

Getting in, and what you'd walk into: Mary compared with William Jewell
MeasureMaryWilliam Jewell
Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit.75%38%
Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table.3,794886
Where it isBismarck, NDLiberty, 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.

The softball program itself: Mary compared with William Jewell
MeasureMaryWilliam Jewell
ConferenceNSICGLVC
Head coachTara WheelerEmma Ryan

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.

How you actually get in front of them: Mary compared with William Jewell
MeasureMaryWilliam Jewell
Recruiting questionnaireYesYes
Program on X / InstagramYes—

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.

How D2 softball scholarships actually work →

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.

Mary

Open the recruiting questionnaire

Camps we track

None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.

William Jewell

Open the recruiting questionnaire

Camps we track

None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.

Mary vs William Jewell: common questions

Is Mary or William Jewell cheaper?
On published price, Mary is cheaper — about $30,862 a year in tuition and housing, against $31,991 at William Jewell. 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 William Jewell?
William Jewell, at 68% against 67% at Mary (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
Do Mary and William Jewell 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.
How do I contact the coaches at Mary and William Jewell?
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 Mary and William Jewell accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.

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