Wayne State vs William Jewell: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. William Jewell runs $10,910 less per year out of state; William Jewell 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 Wayne State if…
- You would be in-state: Wayne State is $5,593 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than William Jewell.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Wayne State is $3,248 lower than at William Jewell.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Wayne State admits 81% of applicants.
Lean William Jewell if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: William Jewell lists $10,910 less per year in tuition and housing than Wayne State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: William Jewell graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Wayne State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: William Jewell graduates earn about $5,775 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: William Jewell admits 38% 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 | Wayne State | William Jewell |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $14,297 — Wayne State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $19,890 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $30,419 | $19,890 — William Jewell leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,762 | $11,381 — William Jewell leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $26,059 — Wayne State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $31,271 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $42,181 | $31,271 — William Jewell leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
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 | Wayne State | William Jewell |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 57% | 62% — William Jewell leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $53,493/yr | $59,268/yr — William Jewell leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,250 — Wayne State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $24,498 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 40% — Wayne State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 41% |
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 | Wayne State | William Jewell |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 81% | 38% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 23,553 | 886 |
| Where it is | Detroit, MI | Liberty, MO |
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 | Wayne State | William Jewell |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GLIAC | GLVC |
| Head coach | Nicole Tines | Emma Ryan |
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 | Wayne State | William Jewell |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Wayne State
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.
William Jewell
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.
Wayne State vs William Jewell: common questions
- Is Wayne State or William Jewell cheaper?
- On published price, William Jewell is cheaper — about $31,271 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $42,181 at Wayne State. 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, Wayne State or William Jewell?
- William Jewell, at 62% against 57% at Wayne State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Wayne State and William Jewell 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 Wayne State and William Jewell?
- 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 Wayne State and William Jewell accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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