Central Washington vs San Francisco State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. San Francisco State runs $5,826 less per year out of state; San Francisco State graduates earn $6,497 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 Central Washington if…
- On the figures we hold, Central Washington does not lead San Francisco State on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
Lean San Francisco State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: San Francisco State lists $5,826 less per year in tuition and housing than Central Washington.
- You would be in-state: San Francisco State is $1,768 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Central Washington.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: San Francisco State graduates earn about $6,497 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at San Francisco State is $4,129 lower than at Central Washington.
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 Washington | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,192 | $7,424 — San Francisco State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $26,771 | $19,304 — San Francisco State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $16,314 — Central Washington leads on this measure: lower room & board | $17,955 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,506 | $25,379 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $43,085 | $37,259 — San Francisco 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 Washington | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 50% | 50% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $61,580/yr | $68,077/yr — San Francisco State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 | $15,371 — San Francisco State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 32% | 23% — San Francisco 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 Washington | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 91% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 8,796 | 23,908 |
| Where it is | Ellensburg, WA | San Francisco, CA |
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 Washington | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GNAC | CCAA |
| Head coach | Ronnie Ladines | Alicia Reid |
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 Washington | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed (2 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.
Central Washington
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.
San Francisco State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | August 8th08/08/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
- Prospect Camp | August 22nd08/22/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
Central Washington vs San Francisco State: common questions
- Is Central Washington or San Francisco State cheaper?
- On published price, San Francisco State is cheaper — about $37,259 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $43,085 at Central Washington. 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 Washington or San Francisco State?
- Both report a 50% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Central Washington and San Francisco 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 Washington and San Francisco State run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at San Francisco State and none currently listed at Central Washington. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Central Washington and San Francisco State?
- San Francisco State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Central Washington, 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 Central Washington and San Francisco 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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