Austin Peay State vs Northwestern State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Austin Peay State runs $2,980 less per year out of state; Northwestern State graduates earn $2,720 more a decade out.
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 Austin Peay State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Austin Peay State lists $2,980 less per year in tuition and housing than Northwestern State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Austin Peay State is $4,453 lower than at Northwestern State.
Lean Northwestern State if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Northwestern State graduates earn about $2,720 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 | Austin Peay State | Northwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,675 | $8,864 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $14,219 — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $19,652 |
| Room & board | $13,070 | $10,617 — Northwestern State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,745 | $19,481 — Northwestern State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $27,289 — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $30,269 |
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 | Austin Peay State | Northwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 45% | 45% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,301/yr | $47,021/yr — Northwestern State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,547 — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $25,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 46% — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 53% |
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 | Austin Peay State | Northwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 96% | 93% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,945 | 8,847 |
| Where it is | Clarksville, TN | Natchitoches, LA |
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 | Austin Peay State | Northwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | UAC | Southland |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Kassie Stanfill | Jason Anderson |
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 | Austin Peay State | Northwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
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.
Austin Peay 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.
Northwestern 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.
Austin Peay State vs Northwestern State: common questions
- Is Austin Peay State or Northwestern State cheaper?
- On published price, Austin Peay State is cheaper — about $27,289 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $30,269 at Northwestern 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, Austin Peay State or Northwestern State?
- Both report a 45% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Austin Peay State and Northwestern State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- How do I contact the coaches at Austin Peay State and Northwestern 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 Austin Peay State and Northwestern 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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