Joliet Junior College vs South Suburban: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs in the Region 4. South Suburban lists $1,117 less in out-of-state tuition; South Suburban graduates 3 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 Joliet Junior College if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Joliet Junior College graduates earn about $9,209 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean South Suburban if…
- You would be in-state: South Suburban is $1,717 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Joliet Junior College.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: South Suburban graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Joliet Junior College.
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 | Joliet Junior College | South Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $12,750 | $11,033 — South Suburban leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $13,800 | $12,683 — South Suburban leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
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 | Joliet Junior College | South Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 21% | 24% — South Suburban leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $42,889/yr — Joliet Junior College leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $33,680/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $9,711 | — |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 23% | — |
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 | Joliet Junior College | South Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,863 | 3,873 |
| Where it is | Joliet, IL | South Holland, 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 | Joliet Junior College | South Suburban |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Mike Bednarz | Monica Rangel |
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.
Joliet Junior College
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.
South Suburban
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.
Joliet Junior College vs South Suburban: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Joliet Junior College or South Suburban?
- South Suburban, at 24% against 21% at Joliet Junior College (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Joliet Junior College and South Suburban 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 Joliet Junior College and South Suburban accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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