Missouri-Kansas City vs Southern Illinois: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Southern Illinois runs $15,548 less per year out of state; Missouri-Kansas City graduates earn $6,247 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 Missouri-Kansas City if…
- You would be in-state: Missouri-Kansas City is $1,256 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southern Illinois.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Missouri-Kansas City graduates earn about $6,247 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Missouri-Kansas City is $2,793 lower than at Southern Illinois.
- Your transcript is a strength: Missouri-Kansas City admits 72% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Southern Illinois if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southern Illinois lists $15,548 less per year in tuition and housing than Missouri-Kansas City.
- You want to play in June: Southern Illinois has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Missouri-Kansas City since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Southern Illinois against none listed at Missouri-Kansas City.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Southern Illinois rates strong against solid at Missouri-Kansas City.
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 | Missouri-Kansas City | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,988 — Missouri-Kansas City leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $13,244 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $28,788 | $13,244 — Southern Illinois leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $12,118 | $12,114 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $24,106 — Missouri-Kansas City leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $25,358 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $40,906 | $25,358 — Southern Illinois 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 | Missouri-Kansas City | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 56% | 56% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $59,637/yr — Missouri-Kansas City leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $53,390/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,750 — Missouri-Kansas City leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $21,543 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 31% — Missouri-Kansas City leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 40% |
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 | Missouri-Kansas City | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 72% | 87% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 15,277 | 11,359 |
| Where it is | Kansas City, MO | Carbondale, 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 | Missouri-Kansas City | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Summit | Missouri Valley |
| Conference level | Mid-Major | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Kiki Stokes O'Connor | Jen Sewell |
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 | Missouri-Kansas City | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 1 listed |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Missouri-Kansas City
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.
Southern Illinois
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
Missouri-Kansas City vs Southern Illinois: common questions
- Is Missouri-Kansas City or Southern Illinois cheaper?
- On published price, Southern Illinois is cheaper — about $25,358 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $40,906 at Missouri-Kansas City. 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, Missouri-Kansas City or Southern Illinois?
- Both report a 56% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Missouri-Kansas City and Southern Illinois 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.
- Do Missouri-Kansas City and Southern Illinois run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Southern Illinois and none currently listed at Missouri-Kansas City. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
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 Missouri-Kansas City and Southern Illinois accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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