Fairmont State vs Southern Arkansas: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Southern Arkansas runs $6,857 less per year out of state; Fairmont State 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 Fairmont State if…
- You would be in-state: Fairmont State is $1,366 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Fairmont State graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than Southern Arkansas.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Fairmont State graduates earn about $4,471 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Fairmont State admits 99% of applicants.
Lean Southern Arkansas if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southern Arkansas lists $6,857 less per year in tuition and housing than Fairmont State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Southern Arkansas is $2,250 lower than at Fairmont State.
- Your transcript is a strength: Southern Arkansas admits 75% 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 | Fairmont State | Southern Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,454 — Fairmont State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $9,820 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $18,372 | $15,400 — Southern Arkansas leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,486 | $7,601 — Southern Arkansas leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $19,940 | $17,421 — Southern Arkansas 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. | $29,858 | $23,001 — Southern Arkansas 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 | Fairmont State | Southern Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 48% — Fairmont State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 46% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $46,857/yr — Fairmont State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $42,386/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 | $18,750 — Southern Arkansas 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. | 45% | 44% |
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 | Fairmont State | Southern Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 99% | 75% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,307 | 5,127 |
| Where it is | Fairmont, WV | Magnolia, AR |
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 | Fairmont State | Southern Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MEC | GAC |
| Head coach | Brooke Lowery | Shelby Shelton |
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 | Fairmont State | Southern Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
Fairmont 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.
Southern Arkansas
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Fairmont State vs Southern Arkansas: common questions
- Is Fairmont State or Southern Arkansas cheaper?
- On published price, Southern Arkansas is cheaper — about $23,001 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $29,858 at Fairmont State. 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, Fairmont State or Southern Arkansas?
- Fairmont State, at 48% against 46% at Southern Arkansas (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Fairmont State and Southern Arkansas 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 Fairmont State and Southern Arkansas?
- Fairmont State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Southern Arkansas, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Fairmont State and Southern Arkansas accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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