Oberlin vs Rose-Hulman Tech: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Rose-Hulman Tech runs $9,196 less per year; Rose-Hulman Tech 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 Oberlin if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Oberlin admits 34% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Rose-Hulman Tech if…
- The number on the bill matters: Rose-Hulman Tech lists $9,196 less per year in tuition and housing than Oberlin, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Rose-Hulman Tech graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Oberlin.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Rose-Hulman Tech graduates earn about $42,910 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Rose-Hulman Tech is $1,000 lower than at Oberlin.
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 | Oberlin | Rose-Hulman Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $64,646 | $56,674 — Rose-Hulman Tech leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $18,942 | $17,718 — Rose-Hulman Tech leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $83,588 | $74,392 — Rose-Hulman Tech leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Oberlin | Rose-Hulman Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 79% | 82% — Rose-Hulman Tech leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $58,343/yr | $101,253/yr — Rose-Hulman Tech leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 | $25,000 — Rose-Hulman Tech 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. | 45% | 25% — Rose-Hulman Tech 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 | Oberlin | Rose-Hulman Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 34% | 77% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,976 | 2,250 |
| Where it is | Oberlin, OH | Terre Haute, IN |
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 | Oberlin | Rose-Hulman Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NCAC | HCAC |
| Head coach | Julie Pratt | Brian Shearer |
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 | Oberlin | Rose-Hulman Tech |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Oberlin
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.
Rose-Hulman Tech
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.
Oberlin vs Rose-Hulman Tech: common questions
- Is Oberlin or Rose-Hulman Tech cheaper?
- On published price, Rose-Hulman Tech is cheaper — about $74,392 a year in tuition and housing, against $83,588 at Oberlin. 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, Oberlin or Rose-Hulman Tech?
- Rose-Hulman Tech, at 82% against 79% at Oberlin (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Oberlin and Rose-Hulman Tech 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Oberlin and Rose-Hulman Tech?
- 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 Oberlin and Rose-Hulman Tech accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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