Emporia State vs Nebraska at Kearney: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the MIAA. Emporia State runs $1,259 less per year out of state; Nebraska at Kearney graduates 2 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 Emporia State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Emporia State lists $1,259 less per year in tuition and housing than Nebraska at Kearney.
- You would be in-state: Emporia State is $1,570 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Nebraska at Kearney.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Emporia State against none listed at Nebraska at Kearney.
Lean Nebraska at Kearney if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Nebraska at Kearney graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than Emporia State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Nebraska at Kearney graduates earn about $2,504 more per year a decade after enrolling.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Emporia State | Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,106 — Emporia State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $8,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $15,419 | $15,284 |
| Room & board | $10,542 — Emporia State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,936 |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $17,648 — Emporia State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,612 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,961 — Emporia State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $27,220 |
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 | Emporia State | Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 56% | 58% — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $47,601/yr | $50,105/yr — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 41% | 39% — Nebraska at Kearney 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 | Emporia State | Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 98% | 89% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,658 | 6,017 |
| Where it is | Emporia, KS | Kearney, NE |
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 | Emporia State | Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Megan Hill | Katie Ackermann |
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 | Emporia State | Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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.
Emporia State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Prospect Hitting Camp | November 14th11/14/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $75
- Prospect Hitting Camp | January 17th01/17/2027 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $75
Nebraska at Kearney
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.
Emporia State vs Nebraska at Kearney: common questions
- Is Emporia State or Nebraska at Kearney cheaper?
- On published price, Emporia State is cheaper — about $25,961 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $27,220 at Nebraska at Kearney. 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, Emporia State or Nebraska at Kearney?
- Nebraska at Kearney, at 58% against 56% at Emporia State (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Emporia State and Nebraska at Kearney 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 Emporia State and Nebraska at Kearney run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Emporia State and none currently listed at Nebraska at Kearney. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Emporia State and Nebraska at Kearney?
- Nebraska at Kearney runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Emporia State, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Emporia State and Nebraska at Kearney accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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