UW-Green Bay vs South Dakota State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. South Dakota State runs $2,600 less per year out of state; South Dakota State graduates 7 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 UW-Green Bay if…
- You would be in-state: UW-Green Bay is $957 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than South Dakota State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UW-Green Bay is $4,750 lower than at South Dakota State.
Lean South Dakota State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: South Dakota State lists $2,600 less per year in tuition and housing than UW-Green Bay.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: South Dakota State graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than UW-Green Bay.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: South Dakota State graduates earn about $2,542 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: South Dakota State has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than UW-Green Bay since 2021.
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 | UW-Green Bay | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,342 — UW-Green Bay leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $9,299 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,929 | $12,809 — South Dakota State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $8,042 — UW-Green Bay leads on this measure: lower room & board | $9,562 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,384 — UW-Green Bay leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $18,861 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $24,971 | $22,371 — South Dakota 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 | UW-Green Bay | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 53% | 60% — South Dakota State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,528/yr | $55,070/yr — South Dakota State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,500 — UW-Green Bay leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $23,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 35% — UW-Green Bay leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 42% |
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 | UW-Green Bay | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 98% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 10,326 | 11,498 |
| Where it is | Green Bay, WI | Brookings, SD |
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 | UW-Green Bay | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Horizon | Summit |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 2 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Sara Kubuske | Kristina McSweeney |
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 | UW-Green Bay | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
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.
UW-Green Bay
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.
South Dakota 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.
UW-Green Bay vs South Dakota State: common questions
- Is UW-Green Bay or South Dakota State cheaper?
- On published price, South Dakota State is cheaper — about $22,371 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $24,971 at UW-Green Bay. 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, UW-Green Bay or South Dakota State?
- South Dakota State, at 60% against 53% at UW-Green Bay (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do UW-Green Bay and South Dakota State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- How do I contact the coaches at UW-Green Bay and South Dakota State?
- 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 UW-Green Bay and South Dakota State 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.
Start freeOther comparisons worth making
UW-Green Bay vs Southeast Missouri State
D1 · Ohio Valley
UW-Green Bay vs South Dakota
D1 · Summit
UW-Green Bay vs Southern Indiana
D1 · Ohio Valley
South Dakota State vs South Dakota
D1 · Summit
South Dakota State vs Southeast Missouri State
D1 · Ohio Valley
South Dakota State vs North Dakota State
D1 · Summit