the Pacific vs Santa Clara: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the WCC. the Pacific runs $6,197 less per year; Santa Clara graduates 20 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 the Pacific if…
- The number on the bill matters: the Pacific lists $6,197 less per year in tuition and housing than Santa Clara, and neither charges by residency.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: the Pacific rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Santa Clara.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: the Pacific admits 71% of applicants.
Lean Santa Clara if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Santa Clara graduates 20 percentage points more of its students than the Pacific.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Santa Clara graduates earn about $30,738 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Santa Clara has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than the Pacific since 2021.
- Your transcript is a strength: Santa Clara admits 48% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | the Pacific | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $55,340 — the Pacific leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $59,241 |
| Room & board | $16,688 — the Pacific leads on this measure: lower room & board | $18,984 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $72,028 — the Pacific leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $78,225 |
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 | the Pacific | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 68% | 88% — Santa Clara leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $78,445/yr | $109,183/yr — Santa Clara leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 | $19,162 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 25% | 18% — Santa Clara 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 | the Pacific | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 71% | 48% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,755 | 9,340 |
| Where it is | Stockton, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
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 | the Pacific | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Sam Duran-Kukuk | Gina Carbonatto |
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 | the Pacific | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
the Pacific
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.
Santa Clara
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.
the Pacific vs Santa Clara: common questions
- Is the Pacific or Santa Clara cheaper?
- On published price, the Pacific is cheaper — about $72,028 a year in tuition and housing, against $78,225 at Santa Clara. 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, the Pacific or Santa Clara?
- Santa Clara, at 88% against 68% at the Pacific (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do the Pacific and Santa Clara 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Santa Clara rates very competitive against competitive at the Pacific. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- How do I contact the coaches at the Pacific and Santa Clara?
- 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 the Pacific and Santa Clara accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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