Campbell vs the Incarnate Word: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. the Incarnate Word runs $6,204 less per year; Campbell graduates 4 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 Campbell if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Campbell graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than the Incarnate Word.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Campbell is $4,500 lower than at the Incarnate Word.
- You want to play in June: Campbell has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than the Incarnate Word since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Campbell rates strong against solid at the Incarnate Word.
Lean the Incarnate Word if…
- The number on the bill matters: the Incarnate Word lists $6,204 less per year in tuition and housing than Campbell, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: the Incarnate Word graduates earn about $1,847 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: the Incarnate Word 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 | Campbell | the Incarnate Word |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $40,410 | $35,660 — the Incarnate Word leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $15,200 | $13,746 — the Incarnate Word leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $55,610 | $49,406 — the Incarnate Word leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Campbell | the Incarnate Word |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 56% — Campbell leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 52% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $54,886/yr | $56,733/yr — the Incarnate Word leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 — Campbell leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $27,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 41% — Campbell leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 48% |
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 | Campbell | the Incarnate Word |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 87% | 98% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 5,115 | 7,251 |
| Where it is | Buies Creek, NC | San Antonio, TX |
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 | Campbell | the Incarnate Word |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CAA | Southland |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 3 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Head coach | Emily Carosone | Kimberly Dean |
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 | Campbell | the Incarnate Word |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
Campbell
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.
the Incarnate Word
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Campbell vs the Incarnate Word: common questions
- Is Campbell or the Incarnate Word cheaper?
- On published price, the Incarnate Word is cheaper — about $49,406 a year in tuition and housing, against $55,610 at Campbell. 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, Campbell or the Incarnate Word?
- Campbell, at 56% against 52% at the Incarnate Word (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Campbell and the Incarnate Word 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 Campbell and the Incarnate Word?
- Campbell runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For the Incarnate Word, 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 Campbell and the Incarnate Word accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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