Lackawanna vs Spartanburg Methodist: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs. Lackawanna runs $1,240 less per year; Spartanburg Methodist graduates earn $1,895 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 Lackawanna if…
- The number on the bill matters: Lackawanna lists $1,240 less per year in tuition and housing than Spartanburg Methodist, and neither charges by residency.
Lean Spartanburg Methodist if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Spartanburg Methodist graduates earn about $1,895 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Spartanburg Methodist is $6,075 lower than at Lackawanna.
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 | Lackawanna | Spartanburg Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $17,950 — Lackawanna leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $19,350 |
| Room & board | $12,110 | $11,950 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $30,060 — Lackawanna leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $31,300 |
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 | Lackawanna | Spartanburg Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 38% | 38% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $41,000/yr | $42,895/yr — Spartanburg Methodist leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,075 | $12,000 — Spartanburg Methodist 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. | 44% | 28% — Spartanburg Methodist 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 | Lackawanna | Spartanburg Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 78% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,939 | 1,029 |
| Where it is | Scranton, PA | Spartanburg, SC |
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 | Lackawanna | Spartanburg Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NJCAA Ind. | Region 10 |
| Head coach | Jeff Pittsman | Kimberly Braxton |
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 | Lackawanna | Spartanburg Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | — |
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.
Lackawanna
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.
Spartanburg Methodist
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.
Lackawanna vs Spartanburg Methodist: common questions
- Is Lackawanna or Spartanburg Methodist cheaper?
- On published price, Lackawanna is cheaper — about $30,060 a year in tuition and housing, against $31,300 at Spartanburg Methodist. 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, Lackawanna or Spartanburg Methodist?
- Both report a 38% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Lackawanna and Spartanburg Methodist 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Lackawanna and Spartanburg Methodist?
- Lackawanna runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Spartanburg Methodist, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Lackawanna and Spartanburg Methodist accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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