Liberty vs Louisiana Monroe: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Louisiana Monroe runs $2,669 less per year out of state; Liberty graduates 12 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 Liberty if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Liberty graduates 12 percentage points more of its students than Louisiana Monroe.
- You want to play in June: Liberty has reached 5 more NCAA tournaments than Louisiana Monroe since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Liberty against none listed at Louisiana Monroe.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Liberty rates strong against solid at Louisiana Monroe.
Lean Louisiana Monroe if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Louisiana Monroe lists $2,669 less per year in tuition and housing than Liberty.
- You would be in-state: Louisiana Monroe is $12,032 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Liberty.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Louisiana Monroe rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Liberty.
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 | Liberty | Louisiana Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $21,222 | $9,190 — Louisiana Monroe leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $21,222 | $21,290 |
| Room & board | $12,919 | $10,182 — Louisiana Monroe leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $34,141 | $19,372 — Louisiana Monroe leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $34,141 | $31,472 — Louisiana Monroe 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 | Liberty | Louisiana Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 63% — Liberty leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 51% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,813/yr | — |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,500 | — |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 55% | — |
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 | Liberty | Louisiana Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 99% | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 103,068 | 8,272 |
| Where it is | Lynchburg, VA | Monroe, LA |
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 | Liberty | Louisiana Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CUSA | Sun Belt |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Dot Richardson | Molly Fichtner |
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 | Liberty | Louisiana Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Louisiana Monroe
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.
Liberty vs Louisiana Monroe: common questions
- Is Liberty or Louisiana Monroe cheaper?
- On published price, Louisiana Monroe is cheaper — about $31,472 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $34,141 at Liberty. 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, Liberty or Louisiana Monroe?
- Liberty, at 63% against 51% at Louisiana Monroe (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Liberty and Louisiana Monroe 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Liberty rates very competitive against competitive at Louisiana Monroe. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Liberty and Louisiana Monroe run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Liberty and none currently listed at Louisiana Monroe. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Liberty and Louisiana Monroe?
- 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 Liberty and Louisiana Monroe accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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