Embry-Riddle vs MSU Denver: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. MSU Denver lists $12,801 less in out-of-state tuition; Embry-Riddle graduates 37 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 Embry-Riddle if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Embry-Riddle graduates 37 percentage points more of its students than MSU Denver.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Embry-Riddle graduates earn about $32,038 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Embry-Riddle admits 58% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean MSU Denver if…
- You would be in-state: MSU Denver is $31,524 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Embry-Riddle.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at MSU Denver is $2,166 lower than at Embry-Riddle.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: MSU Denver admits 99% 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 | Embry-Riddle | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $42,304 | $10,780 — MSU Denver leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $42,304 | $29,503 — MSU Denver leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $13,670 | — |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $55,974 | — |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $55,974 | — |
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 | Embry-Riddle | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 67% — Embry-Riddle leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 30% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $84,131/yr — Embry-Riddle leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $52,093/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,666 | $21,500 — MSU Denver 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. | 28% — Embry-Riddle leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 41% |
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 | Embry-Riddle | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 58% | 99% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 11,070 | 17,593 |
| Where it is | Daytona Beach, FL | Denver, CO |
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 | Embry-Riddle | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | SSC | RMAC |
| Head coach | Kelsi Dunne Diaz | Annie Van Wetzinga |
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 | Embry-Riddle | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Embry-Riddle
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.
MSU Denver
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.
Embry-Riddle vs MSU Denver: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Embry-Riddle or MSU Denver?
- Embry-Riddle, at 67% against 30% at MSU Denver (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Embry-Riddle and MSU Denver 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 Embry-Riddle and MSU Denver?
- 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 Embry-Riddle and MSU Denver accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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