Fort Hays State vs Southwest Minnesota State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Southwest Minnesota State runs $4,613 less per year out of state; Fort Hays State graduates 4 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 Fort Hays State if…
- You would be in-state: Fort Hays State is $4,671 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Fort Hays State graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than Southwest Minnesota State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Fort Hays State admits 90% of applicants.
Lean Southwest Minnesota State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southwest Minnesota State lists $4,613 less per year in tuition and housing than Fort Hays State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Southwest Minnesota State graduates earn about $2,414 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Southwest Minnesota State admits 62% 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 | Fort Hays State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $5,633 — Fort Hays State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,304 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,811 | $10,304 — Southwest Minnesota State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $8,772 — Fort Hays State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,666 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $14,405 — Fort Hays State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,970 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,583 | $20,970 — Southwest Minnesota State 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 | Fort Hays State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 48% — Fort Hays State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 44% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,928/yr | $51,342/yr — Southwest Minnesota State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 | $20,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 43% | 40% — Southwest Minnesota State 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 | Fort Hays State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 62% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 12,843 | 7,324 |
| Where it is | Hays, KS | Marshall, MN |
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 | Fort Hays State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MIAA | NSIC |
| Head coach | Adrian Pilkington | Bailey Bouman |
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 | Fort Hays State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Fort Hays State
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.
Southwest Minnesota 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.
Fort Hays State vs Southwest Minnesota State: common questions
- Is Fort Hays State or Southwest Minnesota State cheaper?
- On published price, Southwest Minnesota State is cheaper — about $20,970 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $25,583 at Fort Hays 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, Fort Hays State or Southwest Minnesota State?
- Fort Hays State, at 48% against 44% at Southwest Minnesota State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Fort Hays State and Southwest Minnesota State 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 Fort Hays State and Southwest Minnesota State?
- Southwest Minnesota State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Fort Hays State, 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 Fort Hays State and Southwest Minnesota State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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