Soccer ROI on my DD

[Bay-tastic]

Many schools have club/intramural soccer as well if she simply loves to play. These are all former good club players who got into UCLA on their own academic merit. I was told the competition is quite tough. Supposedly >70 ladies showed up to the tryout for 8 spots.

2025-2026 Women's Soccer Roster - UCLA Club Sports

The official 2025-2026 Women's Soccer Roster for the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins

uclaclubsports.com

Great info and sharing on the UCLA Club link. Many of these players likely had the ability to compete at lower DI, DII, or DIII levels, but chose to prioritize academics or other considerations over pursuing soccer. Focusing on their majors without the demands of D1 travel makes sense for some. For me, I would fully support my DD taking this path.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Similar numbers when I was at a Big 10 school, around 80 guys trying out for a handful of spots. College club soccer offers the best of both worlds...had the opportunity to play exhibition games against D1, D3 and NAIA schools. But didn't have crazy practice schedules, no early mornings, could skip games if we had to study for exams.

 

[Bay-tastic]

It appears from the link that Shae Harvey has signed with the Portland Thorns, even though she’s still a junior at Stanford and hasn’t completed her degree. She’s choosing to go pro in a league where most players top out around $70K a year.

Is that the right move? Would finishing her Stanford degree and entering the NWSL a year later be the wiser path? Unlike the NFL or NBA, the NWSL doesn’t offer multimillion‑dollar contracts. I’m puzzled by how many young players are making this choice lately...

Portland Thorns Sign Stanford University Midfielder Shae Harvey - Portland Thorns

www.thorns.com

 

[Soccerfan2]

It appears from the link that Shae Harvey has signed with the Portland Thorns, even though she’s still a junior at Stanford and hasn’t completed her degree. She’s choosing to go pro in a league where most players top out around $70K a year.

Is that the right move? Would finishing her Stanford degree and entering the NWSL a year later be the wiser path? Unlike the NFL or NBA, the NWSL doesn’t offer multimillion‑dollar contracts. I’m puzzled by how many young players are making this choice lately...

Portland Thorns Sign Stanford University Midfielder Shae Harvey - Portland Thorns

www.thorns.com

I will just tell you that none of the Stanford players leave without getting their degree.

 

[MochaRulz]

I will just tell you that none of the Stanford players leave without getting their degree.

Just a few people who left Stanford without their degree and i would say they did ok for themselves.

Tiger Woods
Reese Witherspoon
John McEnroe
Larry Page & Sergey Brin
Evan Spiegel
Peter Thiel
Reed Hastings
Elizabeth Holmes
John Steinbeck
John F. Kennedy
Mukesh Ambani
Sally Ride

The more important discussion on this part would be what the opportunity cost is for the athlete of taking the contract now vs after graduation. Currently the difference in pay for a college dropout vs a graduate is under 20k per year. Avg tuition at Stanford is ~60k per year. So if she leaves now without finishing her degree, she will save at least 120k in tuition and get a guaranteed paycheck. What she loses is a potential of 20k a year in future earnings, IF she choses to quit soccer. Also signing now she is hedging her bets between potentially getting a career threatening injury at college for no pay and more debt, potentially signing a larger contract after another year or 2 of college or signing right now. Lastly, if she drops out she always has the option to go back and finish her degree but if she has a significant injury she probably may never get a pro-contract. This is all food for thought and just a view point to consider. This may not be the route for all but is a significant consideration point and the overall data tends to point towards taking the early pro contract as the opportunity cost to not do it is not worth the risk.

 

[fms]

Just a few people who left Stanford without their degree and i would say they did ok for themselves.

Tiger Woods
Reese Witherspoon
John McEnroe
Larry Page & Sergey Brin
Evan Spiegel
Peter Thiel
Reed Hastings
Elizabeth Holmes
John Steinbeck
John F. Kennedy
Mukesh Ambani
Sally Ride

The more important discussion on this part would be what the opportunity cost is for the athlete of taking the contract now vs after graduation. Currently the difference in pay for a college dropout vs a graduate is under 20k per year. Avg tuition at Stanford is ~60k per year. So if she leaves now without finishing her degree, she will save at least 120k in tuition and get a guaranteed paycheck. What she loses is a potential of 20k a year in future earnings, IF she choses to quit soccer. Also signing now she is hedging her bets between potentially getting a career threatening injury at college for no pay and more debt, potentially signing a larger contract after another year or 2 of college or signing right now. Lastly, if she drops out she always has the option to go back and finish her degree but if she has a significant injury she probably may never get a pro-contract. This is all food for thought and just a view point to consider. This may not be the route for all but is a significant consideration point and the overall data tends to point towards taking the early pro contract as the opportunity cost to not do it is not worth the risk.

The league minimum is around $50K. The average salary for new players is now around $120ish. Top elite college players are getting contracts that are in the $200K range and above.

And it's possible she finished her degree or can finish in some capacity online. I saw Mia Bhuta already finished her undergrad in some crazy amount of time (like 2 or 2 1/2 years).

On top of that, pro offers often cover some type of college education funding for college-aged players.

There are certainly some NWSL players only making the league minimum (which doesn't include housing - that is another $4K a month sometimes). But I doubt Harvey is in that lower range. Her contract was obviously enticing enough for her to leave Stanford.

 

[socalkdg]

The league minimum is around $50K. The average salary for new players is now around $120ish. Top elite college players are getting contracts that are in the $200K range and above.

And it's possible she finished her degree or can finish in some capacity online. I saw Mia Bhuta already finished her undergrad in some crazy amount of time (like 2 or 2 1/2 years).

On top of that, pro offers often cover some type of college education funding for college-aged players.

There are certainly some NWSL players only making the league minimum (which doesn't include housing - that is another $4K a month sometimes). But I doubt Harvey is in that lower range. Her contract was obviously enticing enough for her to leave Stanford.

2025 was 3.5 million cap. 25 players. Figure top 5 players on the team took up 2 million of the cap. That left 20 players making 1.5 million, or an average of 75K. If I put 10 of those players at 50K, then the other 10 would be at 100K. I'd put new elite college players at $100K - 150K. 2-3 years. The housing is nice, but it is usually 3 in a 3 bedroom place, so then maybe another $1000 - 1500 per month, or another 15K value per year, nothing to sneeze at. Getting into the NWSL sooner than later does give a better shot at the USWNT.

 

[Carlsbad7]

2025 was 3.5 million cap. 25 players. Figure top 5 players on the team took up 2 million of the cap. That left 20 players making 1.5 million, or an average of 75K. If I put 10 of those players at 50K, then the other 10 would be at 100K. I'd put new elite college players at $100K - 150K. 2-3 years. The housing is nice, but it is usually 3 in a 3 bedroom place, so then maybe another $1000 - 1500 per month, or another 15K value per year, nothing to sneeze at. Getting into the NWSL sooner than later does give a better shot at the USWNT.

Usually pro players that leave college early or forgo college entirely have the cost of college included in their contract in some form.

 

[Bay-tastic]

2025 was 3.5 million cap. 25 players. Figure top 5 players on the team took up 2 million of the cap. That left 20 players making 1.5 million, or an average of 75K. If I put 10 of those players at 50K, then the other 10 would be at 100K. I'd put new elite college players at $100K - 150K. 2-3 years. The housing is nice, but it is usually 3 in a 3 bedroom place, so then maybe another $1000 - 1500 per month, or another 15K value per year, nothing to sneeze at. Getting into the NWSL sooner than later does give a better shot at the USWNT.

With the numbers below, it’s still difficult to see why a student would choose an NWSL career over completing a Stanford degree.

• The median starting salary for recent Stanford graduates is about $110K per year, though this varies significantly by major.
• The average NWSL career lasts only three to four years and can be even shorter due to injury.
• Projections suggest the average NWSL salary may reach roughly $83K by 2030 (article below)... still low.

When you compare the earning potential and career longevity, the math simply doesn’t support the choice.

How Much Money Do NWSL Players Make?

The NWSL has taken major steps in recent years to improve pay and working conditions for its athletes. Thanks to a historic Collective Bargaining

girlssoccernetwork.com

 

[fms]

With the numbers below, it’s still difficult to see why a student would choose an NWSL career over completing a Stanford degree.

• The median starting salary for recent Stanford graduates is about $110K per year, though this varies significantly by major.
• The average NWSL career lasts only three to four years and can be even shorter due to injury.
• Projections suggest the average NWSL salary may reach roughly $83K by 2030 (article below)... still low.

When you compare the earning potential and career longevity, the math simply doesn’t support the choice.

How Much Money Do NWSL Players Make?

The NWSL has taken major steps in recent years to improve pay and working conditions for its athletes. Thanks to a historic Collective Bargaining

girlssoccernetwork.com

Again, just because this player gave up her final year of "eligibility" doesn't mean she won't graduate from Stanford. Maybe she has already finished her undergrad requirements? And if she hasn't/can't, then she can at a local Portland university. It's not so terrible.

My kid was offered a multi-year NWSL contract - but it was at the bottom-end of the salary range and made no sense when compared to what she's getting from her very good school. Makes sense...she's young. She's staying in college for now. But it makes sense for other players. Good for them.

The part that's difficult is - for those kids on the YNT track, those that are *consistently* called in at the younger ages, it becomes clear that the young players playing in the NWSL will be favored to some extent over those in college. That creates a weird incentive to take those crappy pro offers, hoping to boost your status with the national team.

 

[socalkdg]

Don't forget that important fact that they were able to play professional soccer. I ended up getting my degree when I was 27 and my career has been fine. If my kid wants to play professional a few years, go for it, just finish the degree later.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Just a few people who left Stanford without their degree and i would say they did ok for themselves.

Tiger Woods
Reese Witherspoon
John McEnroe
Larry Page & Sergey Brin
Evan Spiegel
Peter Thiel
Reed Hastings
Elizabeth Holmes
John Steinbeck
John F. Kennedy
Mukesh Ambani
Sally Ride

Maybe you should remove Elizabeth Holmes from the list since her company was a fraud and she is serving 11 years in federal prison

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

When you compare the earning potential and career longevity, the math simply doesn’t support the choice.

Pretty sure these players are not wanting to go pro for the money

 

[aong cangkol]

You can always go back to school and finish your degree. I don't understand how it is even a question. Any athlete will take the pro contract. Even if it is only for a year. Many people taking a leave from college due to medical, family, work then finish their degree a few years later. I would be puzzled if an athlete refuse a pro contract only to finish college in 4 years.

 

[fms]

You can always go back to school and finish your degree. I don't understand how it is even a question. Any athlete will take the pro contract. Even if it is only for a year. Many people taking a leave from college due to medical, family, work then finish their degree a few years later. I would be puzzled if an athlete refuse a pro contract only to finish college in 4 years.

You can go back and finish - but will it be paid for and will you have all the academic support, tutoring, resources, etc? In some cases, these players wouldn't be admitted to the school without soccer (that is definitely the case for my daughter).

 

[Bay-tastic]

Lol 8k for ECNL. Not in AZ its closer to 12 with near multiple trips a month, out of state events and GA, ECRL cost pretty much the same with DPL slightly lower. Nail on the head as far as switching to letter leagues at around their freshman or sophomore year of HS. Those are the only years that matter.

With the new NIL roster spots and scholarships are reducing not sure any will get a full ride anymore, if they are that good then go straight to NWSL. Also how much would they have gotten without soccer? Most of these girls would get academic money regardless so soccer isn't likely financially benefitting them.

Don't know what the importance of D1 is other than the brag. Plenty of D2 and even D3 schools are better academically than the lower tier D1. 99.9% of these girls will stop playing after and sometimes during college so the dream will end you are just extending it. For those 99.9% the point of college is not to play sports but to get a degree that will get them a career where they can live comfortably. The difference between a degree from UCSD, UC Irvine, ASU, or NAU is much more marketable and will prepare them much better than some obscure Midwest or eastern D1 school. Plus staying in state reduces your travel and moving costs every year. Not to mention the stats of college students settling where they get their degree from. (hint its nearly 70%) If they can play at a school that has a great program in the degree field they are aspiring to great that works, you have hit the soccer jackpot. If not why are you handicapping their future career by getting a degree from a school you that would never have been on your radar if not for soccer. Sunk cost fallacy is crazy strong in youth soccer.

Some parents invest their life savings trying to push their kids toward the professional ranks or into a Power 4 Division I program, hoping it will eventually pay off. But outcomes like Trinity Rodman’s million‑dollar deal are exceptionally rare... truly one‑in‑a‑million.

What’s troubling is how many families later feel misled. They pour their hard‑earned money into ECNL/GA, coaching clinics, and related development pathways, even the broader NWSL ecosystem, only to discover that much of it operates like an expensive system built on inflated promises rather than a realistic path to opportunity.

And when I see parents sitting on the sidelines with hope in their eyes, then driving home in a decades‑old van, it’s a stark reminder of how distorted and financially burdensome youth soccer has become.

 

[crush]

But outcomes like Trinity Rodman’s million‑dollar deal are exceptionally rare... truly one‑in‑a‑million.

two-in-a million

Sophia Wilson Exercises NWSL Record $1M Player Option​

 

[fms]

Some parents invest their life savings trying to push their kids toward the professional ranks or into a Power 4 Division I program, hoping it will eventually pay off. But outcomes like Trinity Rodman’s million‑dollar deal are exceptionally rare... truly one‑in‑a‑million.

What’s troubling is how many families later feel misled. They pour their hard‑earned money into ECNL/GA, coaching clinics, and related development pathways, even the broader NWSL ecosystem, only to discover that much of it operates like an expensive system built on inflated promises rather than a realistic path to opportunity.

And when I see parents sitting on the sidelines with hope in their eyes, then driving home in a decades‑old van, it’s a stark reminder of how distorted and financially burdensome youth soccer has become.

Parents shouldn't have to push anything - the kids that are out there working hard on their own are usually the ones that make it to the highest levels.

And those types of kids typically attract trainers that want to work with them for free so they can use them for social media, etc.

 

[Goforgoal]

Parents shouldn't have to push anything - the kids that are out there working hard on their own are usually the ones that make it to the highest levels.

And those types of kids typically attract trainers that want to work with them for free so they can use them for social media, etc.

The ROI on youth soccer is all non-monetary. Any actual monetary benefit that comes from it should be compared to a moderate lottery win, or a good run on Wheel of Fortune.

 

[WatchthemPlay]

Parents shouldn't have to push anything - the kids that are out there working hard on their own are usually the ones that make it to the highest levels.

And those types of kids typically attract trainers that want to work with them for free so they can use them for social media, etc.

100% agree with this. They have to be pretty obsessed & self motivated or amazingly naturally gifted to be the kind of kid to get a full ride at a top D1 college. Basically the kid who is planning their own workouts/training schedules, grinding for years on their own, taking lifting and nutrition seriously. Sacrificing high school fun & hanging out with friends so they have time to train. I know this because I have one of these kids. It is a ton of sacrifice for the kid and family and is almost completely based on the kid personally wanting it bad enough and years of consistency. This wasn’t created by parents pushing or finding the right team or coach—my kid has siblings that don’t have this same drive or commitment towards sports and they were raised in the same household with the same opportunities.

In most cases, you end up basically paying for them to play in college and maybe not at a college they would otherwise or want to go to. It’s just the reality. Most of the commitments you see are getting very little athletic scholarship. Yes, there should be better education for parents and kids on this. In the end, you pay for youth soccer because your kid wants to do it and if they are recruited, you are likely paying for them to play in college also.

Feel lucky that your kid finds a thing they like. Support them as much as you can. Don’t go in with expectations. Don’t be disappointed if they want to stop or play less. Don’t ruin your relationship with your kid over sports expectations or them not being the type of kid that is crazy driven. See where the journey takes them and be realistic.

 

[KJR]

Many schools have club/intramural soccer as well if she simply loves to play. These are all former good club players who got into UCLA on their own academic merit. I was told the competition is quite tough. Supposedly >70 ladies showed up to the tryout for 8 spots.

2025-2026 Women's Soccer Roster - UCLA Club Sports

The official 2025-2026 Women's Soccer Roster for the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins

uclaclubsports.com

When my kid's team was weighing if/where to play in college, I was incredibly proud of the choices a lot of the girls made re: what they wanted the game to be in the next chapter of their lives. Some wanted to play at the top of DI and have the game be, basically, a job. Others wanted to play in college but have the option to do a semester abroad, to have soccer be part of their school experience but not as heavy a commitment.

So we had girls turn down DI offers to play DIII, and one girl who backed out of a commitment when she got into a school that was a better fit for her, where she wouldn't make the varsity team but could try out for an incredibly competitive club team. Which she made and loves.

The ROI is that the years of training and playing and traveling together helped make them strong, resilient young women, who still see each other every college break. And, after years of playing intense, competitive soccer, they still love the game and want it to be part of their lives in some way.

There's a lot you can't control for in youth sports--and I've been part of many necessary conversations about costs--but having soccer be a healthy, character-building experience where kids appreciate being part of a team and will spend the rest of their lives thinking, "That was a good part of my life"? That's pretty good return, to me.