Illinois Chicago vs Missouri: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Illinois Chicago runs $3,928 less per year out of state; Missouri graduates 16 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 Illinois Chicago if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Illinois Chicago lists $3,928 less per year in tuition and housing than Missouri.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Illinois Chicago graduates earn about $5,337 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Illinois Chicago is $3,796 lower than at Missouri.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Illinois Chicago rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Missouri.
Lean Missouri if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Missouri graduates 16 percentage points more of its students than Illinois Chicago.
- You want to play in June: Missouri has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Illinois Chicago since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 4 camps at Missouri against none listed at Illinois Chicago.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Missouri rates strong against solid at Illinois Chicago.
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 | Illinois Chicago | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $14,338 | $14,130 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $29,360 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $34,338 |
| Room & board | $14,600 | $13,550 — Missouri leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,938 | $27,680 — Missouri 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. | $43,960 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $47,888 |
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 | Illinois Chicago | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 60% | 76% — Missouri leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $68,740/yr — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $63,403/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,704 — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $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. | 24% — Illinois Chicago leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 32% |
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 | Illinois Chicago | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 77% | 78% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | — | #76 |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 33,522 | 31,013 |
| Where it is | Chicago, IL | Columbia, MO |
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 | Illinois Chicago | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Missouri Valley | SEC |
| Conference level | High Major | Power Conference |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 4 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | — | #44 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Megan Coronado | Larissa Anderson |
| In the job since | — | 2018 |
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 | Illinois Chicago | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 4 listed (4 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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. 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.
Illinois Chicago
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.
Missouri
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Tiger Development CampJuly 28th, 2026 · Register
- Mizzou Pitching and Catching ClinicAugust 16th, 2026 · Register
- 2028 Elite CampAugust 22nd, 2026 · Wait List
- 2029 Show-Me I.D. CampSeptember 26th, 2026 · Wait List
Illinois Chicago vs Missouri: common questions
- Is Illinois Chicago or Missouri cheaper?
- On published price, Illinois Chicago is cheaper — about $43,960 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $47,888 at Missouri. 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, Illinois Chicago or Missouri?
- Missouri, at 76% against 60% at Illinois Chicago (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Illinois Chicago and Missouri 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Missouri rates very competitive against competitive at Illinois Chicago. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Illinois Chicago and Missouri run softball camps?
- We track 4 camps at Missouri and none currently listed at Illinois Chicago. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Illinois Chicago and Missouri?
- Missouri runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Illinois Chicago, 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 Illinois Chicago and Missouri accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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