Fort Lewis vs MSU Denver: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the RMAC. Fort Lewis lists $8,705 less in out-of-state tuition; Fort Lewis 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 Fort Lewis if…
- You would be in-state: Fort Lewis is $1,110 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than MSU Denver.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Fort Lewis graduates 13 percentage points more of its students than MSU Denver.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Fort Lewis is $3,111 lower than at MSU Denver.
- Your transcript is a strength: Fort Lewis admits 77% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean MSU Denver if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: MSU Denver graduates earn about $5,744 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- 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 | Fort Lewis | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,670 — Fort Lewis leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,780 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $20,798 — Fort Lewis leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $29,503 |
| Room & board | $13,390 | — |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $23,060 | — |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $34,188 | — |
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 Lewis | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 43% — Fort Lewis leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 30% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $46,349/yr | $52,093/yr — MSU Denver leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,389 — Fort Lewis leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $21,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 40% — Fort Lewis 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 | Fort Lewis | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 77% | 99% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,413 | 17,593 |
| Where it is | Durango, CO | 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 | Fort Lewis | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Paige Rhodes | 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 | Fort Lewis | MSU Denver |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Fort Lewis
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.
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.
Fort Lewis vs MSU Denver: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Fort Lewis or MSU Denver?
- Fort Lewis, at 43% against 30% at MSU Denver (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Fort Lewis 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 Fort Lewis and MSU Denver?
- MSU Denver runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Fort Lewis, 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 Lewis 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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