Arkansas at Monticello vs Fairmont State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Arkansas at Monticello runs $7,320 less per year out of state; Fairmont State 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 Arkansas at Monticello if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Arkansas at Monticello lists $7,320 less per year in tuition and housing than Fairmont State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Arkansas at Monticello is $1,029 lower than at Fairmont State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Arkansas at Monticello against none listed at Fairmont State.
Lean Fairmont State if…
- You would be in-state: Fairmont State is $414 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Arkansas at Monticello.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Fairmont State graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Arkansas at Monticello.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Fairmont State graduates earn about $9,955 more per year a decade after enrolling.
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 | Arkansas at Monticello | Fairmont State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,868 | $8,454 — Fairmont State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $14,718 — Arkansas at Monticello leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $18,372 |
| Room & board | $7,820 — Arkansas at Monticello leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,486 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,688 — Arkansas at Monticello leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $19,940 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,538 — Arkansas at Monticello leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $29,858 |
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 | Arkansas at Monticello | Fairmont State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 43% | 48% — Fairmont State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $36,902/yr | $46,857/yr — Fairmont State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,971 — Arkansas at Monticello leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $21,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 54% | 45% — Fairmont State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
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 | Arkansas at Monticello | Fairmont State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 99% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,739 | 3,307 |
| Where it is | Monticello, AR | Fairmont, WV |
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 | Arkansas at Monticello | Fairmont State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GAC | MEC |
| Head coach | Kyle Lem | Brooke Lowery |
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 | Arkansas at Monticello | Fairmont State |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Arkansas at Monticello
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Summer Prospect Camp08/22/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $75
- Fall Prospect Camp | September 19th09/19/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $75
Fairmont 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.
Arkansas at Monticello vs Fairmont State: common questions
- Is Arkansas at Monticello or Fairmont State cheaper?
- On published price, Arkansas at Monticello is cheaper — about $22,538 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $29,858 at Fairmont 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, Arkansas at Monticello or Fairmont State?
- Fairmont State, at 48% against 43% at Arkansas at Monticello (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Arkansas at Monticello and Fairmont State 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 Arkansas at Monticello and Fairmont State run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Arkansas at Monticello and none currently listed at Fairmont State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Arkansas at Monticello and Fairmont State?
- 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 Arkansas at Monticello and Fairmont State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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