Columbia vs George Washington: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. George Washington runs $4,555 less per year; Columbia graduates 10 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 Columbia if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Columbia graduates 10 percentage points more of its students than George Washington.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Columbia graduates earn about $11,618 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Columbia against none listed at George Washington.
- Your transcript is a strength: Columbia admits 4% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean George Washington if…
- The number on the bill matters: George Washington lists $4,555 less per year in tuition and housing than Columbia, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at George Washington is $1,051 lower than at Columbia.
- You want to play in June: George Washington has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Columbia since 2021.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: George Washington admits 47% 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 | Columbia | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $69,045 | $64,990 — George Washington leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $16,800 | $16,300 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $85,845 | $81,290 — George Washington 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 | Columbia | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 95% — Columbia leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 85% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $102,491/yr — Columbia leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $90,873/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 | $20,449 — George Washington 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. | 21% — Columbia leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 23% |
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 | Columbia | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 4% | 47% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 35,279 | 25,568 |
| Where it is | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
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 | Columbia | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Ivy League | Atlantic 10 |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Jennifer Teague | Matt Klampert |
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 | Columbia | George Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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. 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.
Columbia
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Jen Teague Softball Camps Merchandise10/29/2025 - 07/31/2026 · $0.00
George Washington
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.
Columbia vs George Washington: common questions
- Is Columbia or George Washington cheaper?
- On published price, George Washington is cheaper — about $81,290 a year in tuition and housing, against $85,845 at Columbia. 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, Columbia or George Washington?
- Columbia, at 95% against 85% at George Washington (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Columbia and George Washington 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.
- Do Columbia and George Washington run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Columbia and none currently listed at George Washington. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Columbia and George Washington?
- 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 Columbia and George Washington accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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