Francis Marion vs West Alabama: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. West Alabama runs $2,186 less per year out of state; Francis Marion graduates 5 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 Francis Marion if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Francis Marion graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than West Alabama.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Francis Marion admits 86% of applicants.
Lean West Alabama if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: West Alabama lists $2,186 less per year in tuition and housing than Francis Marion.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at West Alabama is $2,056 lower than at Francis Marion.
- Your transcript is a strength: West Alabama admits 43% 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 | Francis Marion | West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,160 | $10,990 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $21,544 | $20,090 — West Alabama leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $8,898 | $8,166 — West Alabama leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,058 | $19,156 — West Alabama 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. | $30,442 | $28,256 — West Alabama 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 | Francis Marion | West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 43% — Francis Marion leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 38% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $43,888/yr | $44,232/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 | $24,944 — West Alabama 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. | 62% | 56% — West Alabama 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 | Francis Marion | West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 86% | 43% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,017 | 6,194 |
| Where it is | Florence, SC | Livingston, AL |
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 | Francis Marion | West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CC | GSC |
| Head coach | Stacey Vallee | Stephanie Defeo |
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 | Francis Marion | West Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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.
Francis Marion
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.
West Alabama
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.
Francis Marion vs West Alabama: common questions
- Is Francis Marion or West Alabama cheaper?
- On published price, West Alabama is cheaper — about $28,256 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $30,442 at Francis Marion. 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, Francis Marion or West Alabama?
- Francis Marion, at 43% against 38% at West Alabama (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Francis Marion and West Alabama 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 Francis Marion and West Alabama?
- 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 Francis Marion and West Alabama accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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