Niagara vs Saint Francis: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Niagara runs $4,485 less per year; Saint Francis graduates 3 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 Niagara if…
- The number on the bill matters: Niagara lists $4,485 less per year in tuition and housing than Saint Francis, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Niagara is $1,525 lower than at Saint Francis.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Niagara admits 87% of applicants.
Lean Saint Francis if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Saint Francis graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Niagara.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Saint Francis graduates earn about $5,905 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Saint Francis has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Niagara since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Saint Francis rates strong against solid at Niagara.
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 | Niagara | Saint Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $38,135 — Niagara leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $41,720 |
| Room & board | $12,980 — Niagara leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,880 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $51,115 — Niagara leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $55,600 |
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 | Niagara | Saint Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 70% | 73% — Saint Francis leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $56,196/yr | $62,101/yr — Saint Francis leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,475 — Niagara 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% | 43% — Saint Francis 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 | Niagara | Saint Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 87% | 77% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,221 | 2,835 |
| Where it is | Niagara University, NY | Loretto, PA |
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 | Niagara | Saint Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MAAC | NEC |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Paul Gray | Bill Vasko |
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 | Niagara | Saint Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
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.
Niagara
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.
Saint Francis
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.
Niagara vs Saint Francis: common questions
- Is Niagara or Saint Francis cheaper?
- On published price, Niagara is cheaper — about $51,115 a year in tuition and housing, against $55,600 at Saint Francis. 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, Niagara or Saint Francis?
- Saint Francis, at 73% against 70% at Niagara (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Niagara and Saint Francis offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- How do I contact the coaches at Niagara and Saint Francis?
- 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 Niagara and Saint Francis accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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