Cumberland vs LSU Alexandria: Softball Program Comparison
Two NAIA programs. LSU Alexandria runs $13,952 less per year out of state; Cumberland graduates 11 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 Cumberland if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Cumberland graduates 11 percentage points more of its students than LSU Alexandria.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Cumberland against none listed at LSU Alexandria.
Lean LSU Alexandria if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: LSU Alexandria lists $13,952 less per year in tuition and housing than Cumberland.
- You would be in-state: LSU Alexandria is $20,790 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Cumberland.
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 | Cumberland | LSU Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $27,840 | $7,050 — LSU Alexandria leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $27,840 | $14,650 — LSU Alexandria leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $10,360 | $9,598 — LSU Alexandria leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $38,200 | $16,648 — LSU Alexandria 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. | $38,200 | $24,248 — LSU Alexandria 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 | Cumberland | LSU Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 47% — Cumberland leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 36% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $57,687/yr | — |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,952 | — |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 31% | — |
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 | Cumberland | LSU Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 67% | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,072 | 5,330 |
| Where it is | Lebanon, TN | Alexandria, LA |
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 | Cumberland | LSU Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MSC | RRAC |
| Head coach | Stephanie Theall | Trent Partridge |
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 | Cumberland | LSU Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| 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 NAIA, so the scholarship rules are identical: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic 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.
Cumberland
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp08/30/2026 · 9th - College Senior Grade as of Fall 20 · $105.00
LSU Alexandria
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.
Cumberland vs LSU Alexandria: common questions
- Is Cumberland or LSU Alexandria cheaper?
- On published price, LSU Alexandria is cheaper — about $24,248 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $38,200 at Cumberland. 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, Cumberland or LSU Alexandria?
- Cumberland, at 47% against 36% at LSU Alexandria (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Cumberland and LSU Alexandria offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NAIA: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic aid.
- Do Cumberland and LSU Alexandria run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Cumberland and none currently listed at LSU Alexandria. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Cumberland and LSU Alexandria?
- 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 Cumberland and LSU Alexandria accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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