Columbus State vs Fayetteville State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Fayetteville State runs $8,796 less per year out of state; Columbus State graduates 7 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 Columbus State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Columbus State graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Fayetteville State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Columbus State graduates earn about $4,400 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Columbus State admits 99% of applicants.
Lean Fayetteville State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Fayetteville State lists $8,796 less per year in tuition and housing than Columbus State.
- You would be in-state: Fayetteville State is $1,782 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Columbus State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Fayetteville State is $3,013 lower than at Columbus State.
- Your transcript is a strength: Fayetteville State admits 82% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Columbus State | Fayetteville State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $5,751 | $3,969 — Fayetteville State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,805 | $7,969 — Fayetteville State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,262 | $11,302 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $17,013 | $15,271 — Fayetteville State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,067 | $19,271 — Fayetteville 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 | Columbus State | Fayetteville State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 42% — Columbus State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 35% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,544/yr — Columbus State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $40,144/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 | $22,987 — Fayetteville 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. | 58% | 57% |
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 | Columbus State | Fayetteville State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 99% | 82% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 7,610 | 6,847 |
| Where it is | Columbus, GA | Fayetteville, NC |
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 | Columbus State | Fayetteville State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | PBC | CIAA |
| Head coach | Brad Huskisson | Kyrin Walker |
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 | Columbus State | Fayetteville State |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Columbus State
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.
Fayetteville State
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.
Columbus State vs Fayetteville State: common questions
- Is Columbus State or Fayetteville State cheaper?
- On published price, Fayetteville State is cheaper — about $19,271 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $28,067 at Columbus State. 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, Columbus State or Fayetteville State?
- Columbus State, at 42% against 35% at Fayetteville State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Columbus State and Fayetteville 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Columbus State and Fayetteville 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 Columbus State and Fayetteville State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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