Cameron vs Western New Mexico: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the LSC. Western New Mexico lists $1,966 less in out-of-state tuition; Western New Mexico graduates 13 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 Cameron if…
- You would be in-state: Cameron is $968 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Western New Mexico.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Cameron is $1,500 lower than at Western New Mexico.
Lean Western New Mexico if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Western New Mexico graduates 13 percentage points more of its students than Cameron.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Western New Mexico against none listed at Cameron.
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 | Cameron | Western New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $6,900 — Cameron leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $7,868 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,320 | $14,354 — Western New Mexico leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $8,883 — Cameron leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,940 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $15,783 — Cameron leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $18,808 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,203 | $25,294 |
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 | Cameron | Western New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 22% | 35% — Western New Mexico leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $40,118/yr | $39,095/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 — Cameron leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $23,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 54% — Cameron leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 59% |
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 | Cameron | Western New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,559 | 3,570 |
| Where it is | Lawton, OK | Silver City, NM |
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 | Cameron | Western New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Bryan Howard | Ashley Hickman |
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 | Cameron | Western New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed (2 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | 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.
Cameron
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.
Western New Mexico
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Softball Team Camp09/12/2026 - 09/13/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $125 - $1,000
- Team and Individual Camp09/19/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $75 - $750
Cameron vs Western New Mexico: common questions
- Is Cameron or Western New Mexico cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $25,203 a year out of state in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Cameron or Western New Mexico?
- Western New Mexico, at 35% against 22% at Cameron (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Cameron and Western New Mexico 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 Cameron and Western New Mexico run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Western New Mexico and none currently listed at Cameron. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Cameron and Western New Mexico?
- 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 Cameron and Western New Mexico 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.
Start free