Eckerd vs Florida Southern: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the SSC. Florida Southern runs $8,482 less per year; Florida Southern graduates earn $3,475 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 Eckerd if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Eckerd against none listed at Florida Southern.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Eckerd admits 76% of applicants.
Lean Florida Southern if…
- The number on the bill matters: Florida Southern lists $8,482 less per year in tuition and housing than Eckerd, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Florida Southern graduates earn about $3,475 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Florida Southern is $2,000 lower than at Eckerd.
- Your transcript is a strength: Florida Southern admits 64% 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 | Eckerd | Florida Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $50,374 | $42,360 — Florida Southern leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $14,268 | $13,800 — Florida Southern leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $64,642 | $56,160 — Florida Southern 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 | Eckerd | Florida Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 68% | 69% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $51,819/yr | $55,294/yr — Florida Southern leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 | $25,000 — Florida Southern 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. | 52% | 45% — Florida Southern 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 | Eckerd | Florida Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 76% | 64% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,986 | 3,194 |
| Where it is | Saint Petersburg, FL | Lakeland, FL |
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 | Eckerd | Florida Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Michelle Frew | Brittany Johnson |
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 | Eckerd | Florida Southern |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| 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.
Eckerd
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Showcase Camp | September 19th09/19/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
- Showcase Camp | September 26th09/26/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
Florida Southern
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.
Eckerd vs Florida Southern: common questions
- Is Eckerd or Florida Southern cheaper?
- On published price, Florida Southern is cheaper — about $56,160 a year in tuition and housing, against $64,642 at Eckerd. 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, Eckerd or Florida Southern?
- Florida Southern, at 69% against 68% at Eckerd (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Eckerd and Florida Southern 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 Eckerd and Florida Southern run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Eckerd and none currently listed at Florida Southern. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Eckerd and Florida Southern?
- 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 Eckerd and Florida Southern accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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