Saint Martin's vs Vanguard: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Vanguard runs $7,000 less per year; Vanguard 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 Saint Martin's if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Saint Martin's graduates earn about $2,551 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Saint Martin's against none listed at Vanguard.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Saint Martin's admits 90% of applicants.
Lean Vanguard if…
- The number on the bill matters: Vanguard lists $7,000 less per year in tuition and housing than Saint Martin's, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Vanguard graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Saint Martin's.
- Your transcript is a strength: Vanguard admits 62% 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.
| Measure | Saint Martin's | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $45,510 | $41,700 — Vanguard leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $13,980 | $10,790 — Vanguard leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $59,490 | $52,490 — Vanguard 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 | Saint Martin's | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 52% | 57% — Vanguard leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,092/yr — Saint Martin's leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $59,541/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 | $22,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 36% | 37% |
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 | Saint Martin's | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 62% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,505 | 2,219 |
| Where it is | Lacey, WA | Costa Mesa, 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 | Saint Martin's | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GNAC | PacWest |
| Head coach | Jim Peterson | Nicole Thomas |
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 | Saint Martin's | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Saint Martin's
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Winter Prospects Camp | Hitting12/12/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $100
- Winter Prospects Camp | Pitching12/13/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $100
Vanguard
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 Martin's vs Vanguard: common questions
- Is Saint Martin's or Vanguard cheaper?
- On published price, Vanguard is cheaper — about $52,490 a year in tuition and housing, against $59,490 at Saint Martin'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, Saint Martin's or Vanguard?
- Vanguard, at 57% against 52% at Saint Martin's (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Saint Martin's and Vanguard 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.
- Do Saint Martin's and Vanguard run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Saint Martin's and none currently listed at Vanguard. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Saint Martin's and Vanguard?
- 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 Saint Martin's and Vanguard accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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