Illinois College vs Monmouth (IL): Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs in the MWC. Illinois College runs $6,902 less per year.
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 College if…
- The number on the bill matters: Illinois College lists $6,902 less per year in tuition and housing than Monmouth (IL), and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Illinois College is $1,435 lower than at Monmouth (IL).
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Illinois College against none listed at Monmouth (IL).
- Your transcript is a strength: Illinois College admits 78% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Monmouth (IL) if…
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Monmouth (IL) admits 91% of applicants.
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 College | Monmouth (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $37,470 — Illinois College leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $43,520 |
| Room & board | $10,264 — Illinois College leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,116 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $47,734 — Illinois College leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $54,636 |
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 College | Monmouth (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 61% | 60% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,575/yr | $51,110/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,565 — Illinois College leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $27,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 49% — Illinois College leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 53% |
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 College | Monmouth (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 91% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 958 | 727 |
| Where it is | Jacksonville, IL | Monmouth, IL |
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 College | Monmouth (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Samantha Mendez | Heather Turnquist |
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 College | Monmouth (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 3 listed (3 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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 College
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- 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
Monmouth (IL)
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.
Illinois College vs Monmouth (IL): common questions
- Is Illinois College or Monmouth (IL) cheaper?
- On published price, Illinois College is cheaper — about $47,734 a year in tuition and housing, against $54,636 at Monmouth (IL). 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 College or Monmouth (IL)?
- Illinois College, at 61% against 60% at Monmouth (IL) (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Illinois College and Monmouth (IL) 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 College and Monmouth (IL) run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at Illinois College and none currently listed at Monmouth (IL). Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Illinois College and Monmouth (IL)?
- Illinois College runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Monmouth (IL), 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, 2023-2024). 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 College and Monmouth (IL) 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