Central Oklahoma vs Midwestern State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Midwestern State runs $5,795 less per year out of state; Midwestern State graduates 3 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 Central Oklahoma if…
- You would be in-state: Central Oklahoma is $1,788 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Midwestern State.
- Your transcript is a strength: Central Oklahoma admits 78% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Midwestern State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Midwestern State lists $5,795 less per year in tuition and housing than Central Oklahoma.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Midwestern State graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Central Oklahoma.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Midwestern State graduates earn about $7,396 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Midwestern State against none listed at Central Oklahoma.
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 | Central Oklahoma | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,522 — Central Oklahoma leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,310 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $19,409 | $12,260 — Midwestern State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $8,886 — Central Oklahoma leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,240 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $17,408 — Central Oklahoma leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,550 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,295 | $22,500 — Midwestern State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
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 | Central Oklahoma | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 38% | 41% — Midwestern State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,351/yr | $55,747/yr — Midwestern State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 | $21,030 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 43% | 38% — Midwestern 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 | Central Oklahoma | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 94% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 12,148 | 5,573 |
| Where it is | Edmond, OK | Wichita Falls, 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 | Central Oklahoma | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MIAA | LSC |
| Head coach | Sam Maples | Kae Lani Bryan |
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 | Central Oklahoma | Midwestern State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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.
Central Oklahoma
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.
Central Oklahoma vs Midwestern State: common questions
- Is Central Oklahoma or Midwestern State cheaper?
- On published price, Midwestern State is cheaper — about $22,500 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $28,295 at Central Oklahoma. 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, Central Oklahoma or Midwestern State?
- Midwestern State, at 41% against 38% at Central Oklahoma (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Central Oklahoma and Midwestern 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 Central Oklahoma and Midwestern State run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Midwestern State and none currently listed at Central Oklahoma. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Central Oklahoma and Midwestern 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 Central Oklahoma and Midwestern State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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