Newman vs St. Mary's: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Newman runs $2,183 less per year; St. Mary's graduates 5 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 Newman if…
- The number on the bill matters: Newman lists $2,183 less per year in tuition and housing than St. Mary's, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Newman is $4,762 lower than at St. Mary's.
- Your transcript is a strength: Newman admits 74% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean St. Mary's if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: St. Mary's graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Newman.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: St. Mary's graduates earn about $1,914 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: St. Mary's admits 98% 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 | Newman | St. Mary's |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $35,500 | $36,242 |
| Room & board | $10,279 — Newman leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,720 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $45,779 — Newman leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $47,962 |
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 | Newman | St. Mary's |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% | 59% — St. Mary's leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $55,041/yr | $56,955/yr — St. Mary's leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,801 — Newman leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $25,563 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 38% — Newman leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 45% |
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 | Newman | St. Mary's |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 74% | 98% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,787 | 3,411 |
| Where it is | Wichita, KS | San Antonio, TX |
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 | Newman | St. Mary's |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MIAA | LSC |
| Head coach | Brittany Henning | Taylor Lira |
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 | Newman | St. Mary's |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Newman
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.
St. Mary's
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.
Newman vs St. Mary's: common questions
- Is Newman or St. Mary's cheaper?
- On published price, Newman is cheaper — about $45,779 a year in tuition and housing, against $47,962 at St. Mary's. 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, Newman or St. Mary's?
- St. Mary's, at 59% against 54% at Newman (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Newman and St. Mary's 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 Newman and St. Mary's?
- 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 Newman and St. Mary's accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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