Idaho State vs Montana: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Big Sky. Idaho State runs $8,424 less per year out of state; Montana 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 Idaho State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Idaho State lists $8,424 less per year in tuition and housing than Montana.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Idaho State is $2,361 lower than at Montana.
- You want to play in June: Idaho State has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Montana since 2021.
Lean Montana if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Montana graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Idaho State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Montana against 1 at Idaho State.
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 | Idaho State | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,356 | $8,152 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $27,466 — Idaho State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $31,622 |
| Room & board | $7,924 — Idaho State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,192 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,280 — Idaho State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,344 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $35,390 — Idaho State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $43,814 |
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 | Idaho State | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 38% | 45% — Montana leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $45,608/yr | $44,511/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,039 — Idaho State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $22,400 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 44% — Idaho State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 50% |
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 | Idaho State | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 12,614 | 10,327 |
| Where it is | Pocatello, ID | Missoula, MT |
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 | Idaho State | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Harold Simmons | Stef Ewing |
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 | Idaho State | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 3 listed (3 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | 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. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Idaho State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Elite Experience Camp09/12/2026 - 09/13/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $350
Montana
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Elite Camp - August 22nd08/22/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $200
- Elite Camp - August 23rd08/23/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $200
- Elite Camp - September 26th09/26/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $200
Idaho State vs Montana: common questions
- Is Idaho State or Montana cheaper?
- On published price, Idaho State is cheaper — about $35,390 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $43,814 at Montana. 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, Idaho State or Montana?
- Montana, at 45% against 38% at Idaho State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Idaho State and Montana 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.
- Do Idaho State and Montana run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Idaho State and 3 at Montana. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Idaho State and Montana?
- Montana runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Idaho 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 Idaho State and Montana 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 free