Indiana vs Indiana State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Indiana State runs $20,645 less per year out of state; Indiana graduates 40 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 Indiana if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Indiana graduates 40 percentage points more of its students than Indiana State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Indiana graduates earn about $15,355 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Indiana is $4,491 lower than at Indiana State.
- You want to play in June: Indiana has reached 4 more NCAA tournaments than Indiana State since 2021.
Lean Indiana State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Indiana State lists $20,645 less per year in tuition and housing than Indiana.
- You would be in-state: Indiana State is $1,798 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Indiana.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 9 camps at Indiana State against 2 at Indiana.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Indiana State rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Indiana.
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 | Indiana | Indiana State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,790 | $9,992 — Indiana State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $40,482 | $21,734 — Indiana State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $13,380 | $11,483 — Indiana State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,170 | $21,475 — Indiana State 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. | $53,862 | $33,217 — Indiana State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
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 | Indiana | Indiana State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 81% — Indiana leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 41% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $63,742/yr — Indiana leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,387/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,509 — Indiana leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $24,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 31% — Indiana 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 | Indiana | Indiana State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 81% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #53 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 47,527 | 8,304 |
| Where it is | Bloomington, IN | Terre Haute, IN |
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 | Indiana | Indiana State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big Ten | Missouri Valley |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Shonda Stanton | Windy Thees |
| 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 | Indiana | Indiana State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed | 9 listed (4 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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.
Indiana vs Indiana State: common questions
- Is Indiana or Indiana State cheaper?
- On published price, Indiana State is cheaper — about $33,217 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $53,862 at Indiana. 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, Indiana or Indiana State?
- Indiana, at 81% against 41% at Indiana State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Indiana and Indiana State 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?
- Indiana rates very competitive against competitive at Indiana State. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Indiana and Indiana State run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 2 at Indiana and 9 at Indiana State. 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 Indiana and Indiana State?
- 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 Indiana and Indiana State 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