Lewis vs MSU Moorhead: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. MSU Moorhead runs $29,092 less per year; Lewis graduates 8 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 Lewis if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Lewis graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than MSU Moorhead.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Lewis against none listed at MSU Moorhead.
Lean MSU Moorhead if…
- The number on the bill matters: MSU Moorhead lists $29,092 less per year in tuition and housing than Lewis, and neither charges by residency.
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 | Lewis | MSU Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $37,882 | $10,336 — MSU Moorhead leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $12,140 | $10,594 — MSU Moorhead leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $50,022 | $20,930 — MSU Moorhead leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Lewis | MSU Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 63% — Lewis leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 55% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $66,099/yr | — |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 | — |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 33% | — |
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 | Lewis | MSU Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 71% | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,636 | 4,410 |
| Where it is | Romeoville, IL | Moorhead, MN |
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 | Lewis | MSU Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GLVC | NSIC |
| Head coach | Becky Pearl | Vanessa Kellems |
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 | Lewis | MSU Moorhead |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division II, so the scholarship rules are identical: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
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.
Lewis
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Lewis Softball Elite Exposure Camp II08/04/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $160
MSU Moorhead
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.
Lewis vs MSU Moorhead: common questions
- Is Lewis or MSU Moorhead cheaper?
- On published price, MSU Moorhead is cheaper — about $20,930 a year in tuition and housing, against $50,022 at Lewis. 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, Lewis or MSU Moorhead?
- Lewis, at 63% against 55% at MSU Moorhead (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Lewis and MSU Moorhead offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division II: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
- Do Lewis and MSU Moorhead run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Lewis and none currently listed at MSU Moorhead. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Lewis and MSU Moorhead?
- 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 Lewis and MSU Moorhead accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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