Louisiana vs Loyola Marymount: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Louisiana runs $43,553 less per year out of state; Loyola Marymount graduates 28 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 Louisiana if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Louisiana lists $43,553 less per year in tuition and housing than Loyola Marymount.
- You would be in-state: Louisiana is $48,556 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Loyola Marymount.
- You want to play in June: Louisiana has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Loyola Marymount since 2021.
- Your transcript is a strength: Louisiana admits 14% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Loyola Marymount if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Loyola Marymount graduates 28 percentage points more of its students than Louisiana.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Loyola Marymount graduates earn about $15,081 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Loyola Marymount is $1,000 lower than at Louisiana.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Loyola Marymount admits 45% of applicants.
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 | Louisiana | Loyola Marymount |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,418 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $58,974 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $24,146 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $58,974 |
| Room & board | $11,988 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower room & board | $20,713 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,406 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $79,687 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $36,134 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $79,687 |
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 | Louisiana | Loyola Marymount |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 52% | 80% — Loyola Marymount leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $63,268/yr | $78,349/yr — Loyola Marymount leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 | $19,500 — Loyola Marymount 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. | 32% | 25% — Loyola Marymount 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 | Louisiana | Loyola Marymount |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 14% | 45% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 15,345 | 10,256 |
| Where it is | Lafayette, LA | Los Angeles, CA |
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 | Louisiana | Loyola Marymount |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt | WCC |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | 2 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Alyson Habetz | Tairia Flowers |
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 | Louisiana | Loyola Marymount |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Louisiana
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.
Loyola Marymount
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.
Louisiana vs Loyola Marymount: common questions
- Is Louisiana or Loyola Marymount cheaper?
- On published price, Louisiana is cheaper — about $36,134 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $79,687 at Loyola Marymount. 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, Louisiana or Loyola Marymount?
- Loyola Marymount, at 80% against 52% at Louisiana (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Louisiana and Loyola Marymount 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Louisiana and Loyola Marymount?
- 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 Louisiana and Loyola Marymount accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
Start free