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College Baseball Cost

BK_RazorbackBK_Razorback1,000+ posts
For those that dont mind sharing, I'm interested to hear what it costed for 4/5 years of college baseball. Maybe hit on some of the things one should consider as the recruiting process starts.

I'm going with the assumption that a quality prospect will likely receive a 50% yearly D1 scholarship rather than one that gradually increases from 25%-50%-75%-100% over the 4 years. Not sure what this type of scholarship is called but I've heard this is sometimes given to players who may be somewhat of a D1/D2 tweener or project player? True or not?

Doesn't seem to be a bad deal considering you'll actually receive more money over the long-term. Just not much front-loaded scholarship money and could be somewhat of a financial burden the 1st year at a private school.

Also, what binds the coach to the 25% increase each year? NLI...handshake...verbal agreement?

Obviously private vs state school, instate vs out-of-state tuition, academic vs athletic money stacking, and room & board are large cost factors and a big point to ponder when choosing a school.

I can potentially see some dream schools (Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford) getting the axe for many players simply due to the large cost not covered by an athletic/academic scholarship.

Finally, does anyone have experience with a private college employee tuition exchange program with other private colleges & universities? We are fortunate enough to have a G.I. Bill & the private college employee tuition exchange program available to our son but I'm curious to know if/when this should be mentioned during recruitment or a scholarship offer? We are inclined to not mention the exchange program till after a commitment has occurred. There may be a point where the scholarship money is actually required pending an unplanned career change. Thoughts on how to work this one?
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justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
quote:
I can potentially see some dream schools (Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford) getting the axe for many players simply due to the large cost not covered by an athletic/academic scholarship.


I suppose that could be true, but my conversations with parents very definitely point to parents pulling out all of the stops to pay whatever they have too if their sons get the chance to play at one of those types of schools.

No doubt there are exceptions...but I think in all my time talking with parents...I know of only one.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I wasn't aware of what you were referring to as the increasing scholarship. It is highly unlikely a D1,D2 school would ever give out 100% baseball scholarship, especially in senior year, that is when some players get less than they began with, based on the coaches need for that incoming freshman class.

Some of those big dream schools give out money needs based and academic, so you could possibly afford to attend those schools and not others more reasonable.

The fifth year only comes after a redshirt is awarded and that doesn't happen often these days. Some people do prefer that their sons do not get redshirt because of the added cost of another school year.

Keep in mind non school costs that would include off campus housing, food, extras, travel to and from home plus your travel to and from as well. Because son was far away a weekend to see him would be no less than 1000K. His flights home were no less than 400 per thanksgiving weekend. These are things to consider when you are trying to figure college baseball costs.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Check with your son, is playing time (opportunity) more important than amount of scholarship? If so go with the program that may be the best chance for son to play. That may be JC, NAIA, Div II and III. Amount of scholarship is not necessarily an indicator of son's playing opportunity. REGARDLESS of verbal promises!


I am glad that you added this post because most of us here have never advocated taking the higher scholarship offer over where would be the better fit. Fit would include playing time, geographic loacation, academics, student population, school size, etc. Always keep in mind the bigger the program, the higher the ranking in their division the harder it is to find yourself in the lineup every day. Understand what your role may be in any situation as an incoming freshman as well as an outgoing senior.

If a coach makes any promise, other than you have a spot on the roster to earn your playing time, say no thank you and walk away.
BK_RazorbackBK_Razorback1,000+ posts
My wife & I are both college grads & understand how far college loans/cost can set you back starting out in life. We are trying to take a realistic & practical approach to cost & college baseball. I say that after spending a couple/few grand on the 17u/16u WWBAs in Atlanta. But...awesome tournaments & Junior's team played great in the 17u playoff rounds. Fingers-crossed in the 16u.

A private school (D1/D3) with $40K per year tuition can set you back $100K if you require a 5th year. I would prefer not to scrape by while he's in school and/or avoid setting him back $100K walking out the door to start his life/career/family.

My son is academically solid (3.5 GPA) at a good local private school & draws attention from the academic schools. The academic schools seem very aggressive & jump on kids early. I'm HOPING he can possibly draw a good 50% scholarship offer with some academic money stacked on and maybe we can get him to one of these schools. Or...he chooses a private college that is on my wife's tuition exchange program list.
Last edited by BK_Razorback
BK_RazorbackBK_Razorback1,000+ posts
And as an added tid-bit...this is the list we are going into the recruiting process with. Comments welcomed of course.

    1. Early Playing Time (PT)
    2. Opportunity to EARN PT at his DESIRED Position (MIF)
    3. Roster Needs (Solid player...kid who relocated & has proven himself several times with no issues).
    4. Location (NE & NW are acceptable based on #1 & #2 but not as desirable)
    5. Cost (Sticker price is a factor but will pay slightly more to get the desired location)
    6. Quality Education (i.e. Duke,BC,Vandy'esque type diplomas are awesome at the right price)
    7. Competition Level (PT early may force this down some...name-brand D1 school not required)
    8. College Fit (Size, Social Factors, etc...mil kid that assimilates quickly & easily)
jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by BK_Razorback:
And as an added tid-bit...this is the list we are going into the recruiting process with. Comments welcomed of course.

    1. Early Playing Time (PT)
    2. Opportunity to EARN PT at his DESIRED Position (MIF)
    3. Roster Needs (Solid player...kid who relocated & has proven himself several times with no issues).
    4. Location (NE & NW are acceptable based on #1 & #2 but not as desirable)
    5. Cost (Sticker price is a factor but will pay slightly more to get the desired location)
    6. Quality Education (i.e. Duke,BC,Vandy'esque type diplomas are awesome at the right price)
    7. Competition Level (PT early may force this down some...name-brand D1 school not required)
    8. College Fit (Size, Social Factors, etc...mil kid that assimilates quickly & easily)


Your son better be very, very good if you are going to attain that list. The playing time -- in a strong program -- is almost surely a potential issue, although I would imagine it depends on how you define it.

I've always thought it is best to get the chance and then go compete to prove yourself. It's probably all you will get anyway, regardless of what you believe you hear from the coaches. Things tend to clear up completely once you arrive on campus. You never know though.

Best of luck.
Last edited by jemaz
B bostonbulldogbaseball100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by BK_Razorback:
My wife & I are both college grads & understand how far college loans/cost can set you back starting out in life. understand how far college loans/cost can set you back starting out in life. We are trying to take a realistic & practical approach to cost & college baseball. I say that after spending a couple/few grand on the 17u/16u WWBAs in Atlanta. But...awesome tournaments & Junior's team played great in the 17u playoff rounds. Fingers-crossed in the 16u.
[CLIPPED]
A private school (D1/D3) with $40K per year tuition can set you back $100K if you require a 5th year. I would prefer not to scrape by while he's in school and/or avoid setting him back $100K walking out the door to start his life/career/family.


If I had to do it all over again I would have never co-signed my son's loan to a $40K/yr private school when he had a full-ride to a small D3 school.

Now he is in the military to help pay off the student loans.

The key is starting out in life with minimal to no student loans.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
BBDBB,
By using the term full ride do you mean athletic? There is no such thing at a D3 program.

BK,
My opinion is that these days the total COA should be the number 1 priority for families. Everything else should be secondary. Use whatever resources you can, including those that your wife has and when the time comes fill out the FASHA form to see what you can afford and what govt aid your family might qualify for.
D3 programs can be very expensive but reality is that if your son has top grades with good test scores he can qualify for more academic aid than he may get for athletic aid.
Keep in mind that your sons playing time is earned, and that in some larger programs (as well as smaller) many freshman sit behind those ahead of them, especially for position players.
Jemaz brings up a very good point, sometimes all of this doesn't become clear until you actually show up, the best you can do is try determine what your families financial situation can afford and do not be afraid to sit down with your son to explain what you can and cannot do and what you expect from him.

I don't believe that parents should go broke putting their kids through college, not these days, unless you have that money set aside, parents need to discuss their financial situation and what they can and cannot do. Sending your son out into the job world with huge loans to repay is very difficult as well.
CoachB25CoachB25Honorary "Old TImer"
I'll weight in for my child. She has a very good athletic scholarship and along with an academic supliment is not paying much to attend. Where we have to pay is room and board. The softball team stays in an apartment complex on school so 2 students/athletes to an apartment. That means we play roughly $5,000 per year for that. Then there are the fundraisers. Today we are buying T-shirts. Anyone want to order one? LOL! So, I am getting a minimum of 3 as is the wife and child. She has sold some and so we will have met our criteria for those sales. That money will be used for a fitted travel suit. Last years was really sharp and so, we don't mind this at all. We are paying for summer classes to keep our child on schedule since when she is in season, she has to cut hours. So, at a community college that is roughly $500 per class. She will need to take at least 4 classes. Then, there are all of the other expenses typical of apartment life. Really, we have it very good. Oh, daughter will get new cleats, bat, travel bag, 3 sets of practice gear, ... all for being in the program.
keewartkeewart10,000+ posts
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BK_Razorback:

"Finally, does anyone have experience with a private college employee tuition exchange program with other private colleges & universities?....."

I personally don't have experience with the tuition exchange program (boy, but I wish I did!), but I do know several families that are using it and their children are playing sports in college. Check it out carefully, because although it is a tremendous benefit, it is not a "given". A friend thought their children would automatically be able to attend the college the dad works for on the tuition benefit/exchange program. Turns out, the rising senior may not have the grades to be accepted and they are scrambling to look at other schools in the program. Plus, there is a balance of sorts between the "exports" and "imports", and there may be a tuition "balance due" you still have to pay if the child is accepted into a more expensive school. My friend said they were caught off guard by not knowing the details of the program and because they didn't save for tuition, are totally unprepared. If your son qualifies for this benefit, check the list of schools and see which have baseball programs that fit your criteria and GO FOR IT! (I don't think Duke, Vandy, Stanford and ND are on the Tuition Exchange list - but many good schools are!) If you have a rising senior, I would check with your host school NOW about the benefit program.
Last edited by keewart
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
Your son better be very, very good if you are going to attain that list. The playing time -- in a strong program -- is almost surely a potential issue, although I would imagine it depends on how you define it.

I've always thought it is best to get the chance and then go compete to prove yourself. It's probably all you will get anyway, regardless of what you believe you hear from the coaches. Things tend to clear up completely once you arrive on campus. You never know though.

Best of luck.




I would listen to this dad.First his son plays for one of the best baseball schools in the country.Second his son is pretty darn good.And I think he had to earn PT.

No matter what any coach says to you,nothing is guranteed ever.Not even your position.Its about the team and the direction that coach wants to go in.


Best idea wheh the coach says in the fall.Hey ...I think I may need you at this position in the Spring,and the reply from your son will be,Great coach, whatever I can do to help the team.

Thats kinda how it works sometimes.
Last edited by fanofgame
hokieonehokieone5,000+ posts
Always watch for the baseball version of "I'll respect you in the morning":

Some variation of this: "Your son has a chance to make an immediate impact as a freshman".

Player hears: "I am a lock to start".

Parent hears: "My boy is a lock to start. Where are the pro scouts?"

Coach means: "He will be on the team during fall practice and we will see what he's got."
gitnbygitnby100+ posts
Don't forget to budget for Summer ball!

Assuming he plays 3 years of Summer, the cost can add up.

Possible expenses could be:

-cost to play in league(many have no fees)
-housing(if no host family)
-food (even with host family there may be a weekly or monthly amount)
-food (on the road, even if team provides some meals or money, they tend to want more)
-food (late night fast-food runs and extra meals when they get tired of the same old stuff)
-gas (if they take a car)
-his travel to & from team home base at beginning & end of Summer
-your travel/hotel/food if you go watch him play
-Miscellaneous (toiletries,entertainment, etc)

The team my Son is on cost $300 for housing for the entire Summer (dormitory) and they get post-game meals for most Home & Away games, and a few bucks for meals while on the road, as well as gift cards every day for 2 local restaurants.

His team provides all equipment/uniforms/bats and does his laundry(uniform).

We give him $200/month for food, gas, etc and it barely is enough for all of the above extras.
BK_RazorbackBK_Razorback1,000+ posts
Wow...we are starting to steer away from the original comments but that's fine. It was never said that playing time was a demand but seems to be eluded to in a few comments. Regardless...still good comments.

I'm going to go out on a limb & say that talking about your role on the team & expressing what you would LIKE is not taboo during the recruiting process. But...maybe I'm wrong. Probably better to broach the subject of positions & PT before committing yourself & MY MONEY for the next 4 to 5 years. Again...not naive...I understand coaches manipulate & make false promises but at least they know the kid would LIKE a chance to play his position if able. Good lord...he's just a college coach...ball-up & talk to the guy about what you are looking for in terms of baseball. It'll be fine. Maybe you get the answer you want or maybe not but at least both parties are on common ground. I can see it avoiding disappointment on both halves in the future.

Trust me....I get it...the coach owes players nothing & anything you get will be earned.

Again, if moving down a level in competition is needed to fulfill those desires then so be it. If playing your position on a lesser team trumps playing out-of-position on a national powerhouse then so be it. Tough choice but maybe necessary. That's why you prioritize what you are looking for. Or at least I thought so.
Last edited by BK_Razorback
CoachB25CoachB25Honorary "Old TImer"
quote:
Originally posted by hokieone:
Scholarships do indeed get non-renewed all the time. Keep thy eyes open.


BK_Razorback, don't dismiss hokieone's post. Playing time is never guaranteed. My child had a tremendous year this past year. Still, there are 8 new players coming and everyone of them thinks that they are a starter. Then, per hokieone's post, there are no guarantees of renewal. I've seen it happen dozens of times. Some coaches over recruit and so, when there is the known commodity, a player who might take two years to improve, versus the impact kid being recruited, you child just might be out the door if they aren't a proven commodity. My child and I sat down last night and went over the new players and their positions. There will always be that number game.

I forget who posted that a 50% offer for a mif was good but I'd say that was good information as well.

Summerball costs is a whole different animal.

BTW, you need to check on those small gotcha costs as well at a university. For example, with 6 in the morning workouts, then class then individual work during the day, then class, then team work, my child needs a car. We didn't realize that a parking sticker for out child would be close to $300 per semester. Also, is there at date from the beginning enrollment date where a penalty kicks in? Where my child goes, there is and so, last year several freshman parents had to pay this penalty and were hacked off. If your child stays on campus and you purchase furniture for them, is there a way for them to pay, along with one or two others, to rent a room over the summer and just leave their stuff on campus? That is a great money saver for some. My child has several teammates who did so and split the cost so they will simply have to unpack that one apartment. Well, I hope I'm not too far off on your topic.
Last edited by CoachB25
SdleftySdlefty500+ posts
With limited scholarships avialable at the D1 level our son is going into a program as a freshmen with zero scholarship money. The HC is awesome as well as the BB program and school. This program did make roster room for our son, by releasing some kids so they really wanted him. Time will tell if he earns scholarship money through hard work and a great attitude. As I think about it, I prefer the situation he is in. I'd rather he earns his scholarship rather than recieving it upfront.

Will see, but my gut says he will do well as he loves to compete and is a very driven young man.

Lefty...
BK_RazorbackBK_Razorback1,000+ posts
CoachB25...Definitely not discounting playing time comments. Again...not concerned at all as I know these situations work themselves out. Obviously, the current roster & recruiting activity gives a player some insight into where they might fall. Again, if you wanna play early...you might have to make a sacrifice in the level of play or location.

But...I do not want my son to go at this process blindly just for the sake of playing college baseball, which I see regularly. I'm going to be pretty upset with my guy (son) if he doesn't have the presence of mind to talk to the coach DURING the recruiting process about the things he thinks is important (PT & Position) & waits to get there to figure out its not panning out the way he thought. I'm sure many issues could be ironed out well prior to this point. At a minimum...let the coach know what you would like & see if it's even possible given the current roster/situation. Different story as to whether he agrees & actually does it or not.

Maybe some players/parents are ok with just rolling into a situation blindly & hoping for the best. I'm not interested in an unhappy transfer because my guy didn't have enough nerve to simply JUST ASK the question. Again...ask the question...hope for the best...prepare for the worst. Maybe he says "ok" or maybe not. Either way you both understand the situation more clearly going in.

All you can ask for is an opportunity. You're at the mercy of the coach & program if you blow that chance.

Just my humble opinion of course.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
BK,
Your son should discuss these things with the coach, I agree.

As I stated, if a coach promises playing time, maybe position, don't be upset if it doesn't happen. The really good coach will not promise anything other than a roster spot for the spring to any player.

As far as position, your son must learn to be flexible, sometimes they have to give up what they want, to get into the game, this happens all of the time even in professional baseball.

Here's a scenerio that happens sometimes, a coach signs a player because he is expecting his junior (xyz position player) to be drafted, he is, but remains. If your son plays that position he might be blocked, but the coach wants his bat, so he has to be willing to be flexible. Many position players will tell you that they end up in differnt positions than when they got to college. IMO, the really good college recruiter seeks out players that are flexible, can play more than one position and willing to learn new positions if necessary. The player has to be coachable if he insists that he wants to do his thing, the coach may see him as uncoachable.
This happens in all levels of the game.

SDLefty,
No matter how you word it, your son is a walk on with no NLI (that basically protects a player's scholarhsip his first year). There is no guarantee that he will have a spot in the spring. If they released some players, why didn't they give your son some athletic money?

Were those released players with walk on status or on scholarship? I just can't see a coach releasing scholarship players to make room for a walk on unless they gave away a lot more than planned to others and got caugth short. IMO, a coach discussing this with a player is unprofessional, unless they needed some way to get your son to buy in without coming up with a committment to him. Sounds good, we want you we even let some guys go to nake room for you!

What if that coach left tomorrow? There is no guarantee a new guy will keep the former coaches word, and he doesn't have to.

Sorry, but I would rather son get money up front and work butt off for a starting position and more money than wait around for some money to come his way (eventually) or a release before his college career even begins.
Last edited by TPM
P philsfan100+ posts
From my experience, tuition exchange is not a set thing. Schools have budgets and they may only send a certain number of students each year, Even if the sending school (where your wife work) accepts your son into the program that does not mean the accepting program will take that exchange. It all depends on certain points for each institution.

Also, when my son (91+ right handed pitcher) was being recruited by D1 schools it was across the board on their reaction to the possibility of tuition exchange. Some schools would not give him a dollar offer but offered him a roster spot because they thought they could get him cheap (no scholarship money). Others gave him low ball offers for the same reason. For those schools it made it difficult to gage their real interest. Since the whole exchange process doesn’t take place until the early spring time frame trying to figure out how all that shakes out in November can be a challenge.

What we found best was to wait for the offer and then weigh it in with the possibility of tuition exchange.
SdleftySdlefty500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by TPM:
BK,
Your son should discuss these things with the coach, I agree.

As I stated, if a coach promises playing time, maybe position, don't be upset if it doesn't happen. The really good coach will not promise anything other than a roster spot for the spring to any player.

As far as position, your son must learn to be flexible, sometimes they have to give up what they want, to get into the game, this happens all of the time even in professional baseball.

Here's a scenerio that happens sometimes, a coach signs a player because he is expecting his junior (xyz position player) to be drafted, he is, but remains. If your son plays that position he might be blocked, but the coach wants his bat, so he has to be willing to be flexible. Many position players will tell you that they end up in differnt positions than when they got to college. IMO, the really good college recruiter seeks out players that are flexible, can play more than one position and willing to learn new positions if necessary. The player has to be coachable if he insists that he wants to do his thing, the coach may see him as uncoachable.
This happens in all levels of the game.

SDLefty,
No matter how you word it, your son is a walk on with no NLI (that basically protects a player's scholarhsip his first year). There is no guarantee that he will have a spot in the spring. If they released some players, why didn't they give your son some athletic money?

Were those released players with walk on status or on scholarship? I just can't see a coach releasing scholarship players to make room for a walk on unless they gave away a lot more than planned to others and got caugth short. IMO, a coach discussing this with a player is unprofessional, unless they needed some way to get your son to buy in without coming up with a committment to him. Sounds good, we want you we even let some guys go to nake room for you!

What if that coach left tomorrow? There is no guarantee a new guy will keep the former coaches word, and he doesn't have to.

Sorry, but I would rather son get money up front and work butt off for a starting position and more money than wait around for some money to come his way (eventually) or a release before his college career even begins.


TPM, our son is a late summer recruit so the money was just not there for various reasons. The staff has been very upfront through out the entire process and have been in this business for decades, and are well respected in the college baseball world. A huge honor for the son to play for the HC!

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