Bemidji State vs Emporia State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Bemidji State runs $6,006 less per year out of state; Bemidji State graduates earn $6,154 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 Bemidji State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Bemidji State lists $6,006 less per year in tuition and housing than Emporia State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Bemidji State graduates earn about $6,154 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Bemidji State admits 56% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Emporia State if…
- You would be in-state: Emporia State is $2,808 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Bemidji State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Emporia State against none listed at Bemidji State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Emporia State admits 98% of applicants.
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 | Bemidji State | Emporia State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,164 | $7,356 — Emporia State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $10,164 — Bemidji State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $15,669 |
| Room & board | $10,041 — Bemidji State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,542 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,205 | $17,898 — Emporia 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. | $20,205 — Bemidji State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $26,211 |
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 | Bemidji State | Emporia State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 53% | 54% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $53,755/yr — Bemidji State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $47,601/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,750 | $19,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 37% — Bemidji State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 41% |
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 | Bemidji State | Emporia State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 56% | 98% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,926 | 4,658 |
| Where it is | Bemidji, MN | Emporia, KS |
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 | Bemidji State | Emporia State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NSIC | MIAA |
| Head coach | Jordan Petersen | Megan Hill |
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 | Bemidji State | Emporia State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 3 listed (3 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | — |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Bemidji 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.
Emporia State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Rookie Camp08/22/2026 · 3rd Grade - 8th Grade · $35
- August Pitchers/Catchers Camp08/23/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $50
- August Prospect Camp08/23/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $120
Bemidji State vs Emporia State: common questions
- Is Bemidji State or Emporia State cheaper?
- On published price, Bemidji State is cheaper — about $20,205 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $26,211 at Emporia 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, Bemidji State or Emporia State?
- Emporia State, at 54% against 53% at Bemidji State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Bemidji State and Emporia 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 Bemidji State and Emporia State run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at Emporia State and none currently listed at Bemidji State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Bemidji State and Emporia State?
- Bemidji State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Emporia State, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Bemidji State and Emporia State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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