Alverno vs Anderson: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Alverno runs $4,858 less per year; Alverno graduates 2 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 Alverno if…
- The number on the bill matters: Alverno lists $4,858 less per year in tuition and housing than Anderson, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Alverno graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than Anderson.
Lean Anderson if…
- On the figures we hold, Anderson does not lead Alverno on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
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 | Alverno | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $32,794 — Alverno leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $35,640 |
| Room & board | $10,238 — Alverno leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,250 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $43,032 — Alverno leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $47,890 |
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 | Alverno | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 51% — Alverno leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 49% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $48,899/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $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. | — | 55% |
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 | Alverno | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 79% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,719 | 1,255 |
| Where it is | Milwaukee, WI | Anderson, 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 | Alverno | Anderson |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NACC | HCAC |
| Head coach | Shawn Grimm | Kelly Roberts |
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.
Alverno
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Anderson
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Alverno vs Anderson: common questions
- Is Alverno or Anderson cheaper?
- On published price, Alverno is cheaper — about $43,032 a year in tuition and housing, against $47,890 at Anderson. 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, Alverno or Anderson?
- Alverno, at 51% against 49% at Anderson (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Alverno and Anderson 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.
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 Alverno and Anderson accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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