Elizabeth City State vs West Liberty: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Elizabeth City State runs $11,319 less per year out of state; West Liberty graduates 13 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 Elizabeth City State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Elizabeth City State lists $11,319 less per year in tuition and housing than West Liberty.
- You would be in-state: Elizabeth City State is $5,320 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than West Liberty.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Elizabeth City State is $1,787 lower than at West Liberty.
- Your transcript is a strength: Elizabeth City State admits 64% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean West Liberty if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: West Liberty graduates 13 percentage points more of its students than Elizabeth City State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: West Liberty graduates earn about $3,270 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at West Liberty against none listed at Elizabeth City State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: West Liberty admits 97% 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 | Elizabeth City State | West Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $3,412 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $8,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $7,412 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $17,116 |
| Room & board | $9,079 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,694 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $12,491 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $19,426 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,491 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $27,810 |
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 | Elizabeth City State | West Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 48% | 61% — West Liberty leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $40,026/yr | $43,296/yr — West Liberty leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,463 — Elizabeth City State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $23,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 54% | 54% |
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 | Elizabeth City State | West Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 64% | 97% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,165 | 2,348 |
| Where it is | Elizabeth City, NC | West Liberty, WV |
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 | Elizabeth City State | West Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CIAA | MEC |
| Head coach | Korey Hill | Sara Pelegreen |
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 | Elizabeth City State | West Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Elizabeth City 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.
West Liberty
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | September 12th - 13th09/12/2026 - 09/13/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $150 - $250
- Prospect Camp | September 20th09/20/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $130
Elizabeth City State vs West Liberty: common questions
- Is Elizabeth City State or West Liberty cheaper?
- On published price, Elizabeth City State is cheaper — about $16,491 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $27,810 at West Liberty. 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, Elizabeth City State or West Liberty?
- West Liberty, at 61% against 48% at Elizabeth City State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Elizabeth City State and West Liberty 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 Elizabeth City State and West Liberty run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at West Liberty and none currently listed at Elizabeth City State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Elizabeth City State and West Liberty?
- 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 Elizabeth City State and West Liberty accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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