Illinois Wesleyan vs Saint Benedict: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Saint Benedict runs $2,590 less per year; Illinois Wesleyan graduates earn $7,611 more a decade out.
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 Wesleyan if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Illinois Wesleyan graduates earn about $7,611 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Illinois Wesleyan admits 39% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Saint Benedict if…
- The number on the bill matters: Saint Benedict lists $2,590 less per year in tuition and housing than Illinois Wesleyan, and neither charges by residency.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Saint Benedict against none listed at Illinois Wesleyan.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Saint Benedict admits 92% 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 Wesleyan | Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $55,704 | $53,884 — Saint Benedict leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $12,930 | $12,160 — Saint Benedict leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $68,634 | $66,044 — Saint Benedict leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 Wesleyan | Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 83% | 83% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $70,871/yr — Illinois Wesleyan leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $63,260/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 | $26,944 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 38% — Illinois Wesleyan leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 43% |
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 Wesleyan | Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 39% | 92% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,576 | 1,451 |
| Where it is | Bloomington, IL | Saint Joseph, MN |
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 Wesleyan | Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CCIW | MIAC |
| Head coach | Tiffany Prager | Rachael Click |
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 Wesleyan | Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 3 listed (3 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 Wesleyan
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.
Saint Benedict
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Youth Camp | Fundamentals08/27/2026 · 1st Grade - 7th Grade · $50
- Youth Camp | Play08/27/2026 · 1st Grade - 7th Grade · $50
- Fall Prospect Camp09/25/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $50
Illinois Wesleyan vs Saint Benedict: common questions
- Is Illinois Wesleyan or Saint Benedict cheaper?
- On published price, Saint Benedict is cheaper — about $66,044 a year in tuition and housing, against $68,634 at Illinois Wesleyan. 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 Wesleyan or Saint Benedict?
- Both report a 83% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Illinois Wesleyan and Saint Benedict 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 Wesleyan and Saint Benedict run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at Saint Benedict and none currently listed at Illinois Wesleyan. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Illinois Wesleyan and Saint Benedict?
- 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 Wesleyan and Saint Benedict accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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