Illinois vs Lawrence: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs in the MWC. Illinois runs $19,565 less per year; Lawrence graduates 15 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 if…
- The number on the bill matters: Illinois lists $19,565 less per year in tuition and housing than Lawrence, and neither charges by residency.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Illinois admits 78% of applicants.
Lean Lawrence if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Lawrence graduates 15 percentage points more of its students than Illinois.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Lawrence graduates earn about $3,214 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Lawrence admits 64% 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 | Illinois | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $37,470 — Illinois leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $55,461 |
| Room & board | $10,264 — Illinois leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,838 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $47,734 — Illinois leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $67,299 |
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 | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 61% | 76% — Lawrence leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,575/yr | $55,789/yr — Lawrence leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,565 | $26,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 49% | 47% — Lawrence 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 | Illinois | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 64% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 958 | 1,410 |
| Where it is | Jacksonville, IL | Appleton, WI |
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 | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Samantha Mendez | Korey Krueger |
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 | Lawrence |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 4 listed (4 with dates) | 4 listed (4 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
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
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Fall Prospect Camp08/22/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $100
- Winter Prospect Camp I12/05/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $100
- Little Kids Camp12/06/2026 · Kindergarten - 8th Grade · $30
- Winter Prospect Camp II01/23/2027 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $100
Lawrence
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- 2026 Alumni Game10/10/2026 · $0.00
- 2026 Lawrence University Prospect ID Hitting Camp10/11/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $50
- Lawrence University New Year Hitting Camp | Ages 9-1401/03/2027 · 9 - 14 · $45
- Lawrence University New Year Hitting Camp | High School01/03/2027 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $65
Illinois vs Lawrence: common questions
- Is Illinois or Lawrence cheaper?
- On published price, Illinois is cheaper — about $47,734 a year in tuition and housing, against $67,299 at Lawrence. 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 or Lawrence?
- Lawrence, at 76% against 61% at Illinois (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Illinois and Lawrence offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do Illinois and Lawrence run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 4 at Illinois and 4 at Lawrence. 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 Illinois and Lawrence?
- 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 Illinois and Lawrence 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