Itawamba Community vs Lake-Sumter State: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs. Itawamba Community lists $7,456 less in out-of-state tuition; Lake-Sumter State graduates earn $6,964 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 Itawamba Community if…
- On the figures we hold, Itawamba Community does not lead Lake-Sumter State on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
Lean Lake-Sumter State if…
- You would be in-state: Lake-Sumter State is $128 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Itawamba Community.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Lake-Sumter State graduates earn about $6,964 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Lake-Sumter State is $881 lower than at Itawamba Community.
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 | Itawamba Community | Lake-Sumter State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $3,420 | $3,292 — Lake-Sumter State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $5,820 — Itawamba Community leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $13,276 |
| Room & board | $4,725 | — |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $8,145 | — |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $10,545 | — |
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 | Itawamba Community | Lake-Sumter State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 45% | 45% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $32,912/yr | $39,876/yr — Lake-Sumter State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $7,631 | $6,750 — Lake-Sumter State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 23% | 17% — Lake-Sumter State 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 | Itawamba Community | Lake-Sumter State |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,937 | 5,064 |
| Where it is | Fulton, MS | Leesburg, FL |
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 | Itawamba Community | Lake-Sumter State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MACCC | FCSAA |
| Head coach | Carson Owens | Justus Perry |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Itawamba Community
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.
Lake-Sumter State
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.
Itawamba Community vs Lake-Sumter State: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Itawamba Community or Lake-Sumter State?
- Both report a 45% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Itawamba Community and Lake-Sumter State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
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 Itawamba Community and Lake-Sumter 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.
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