McKendree vs Southwest Baptist: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the GLVC. Southwest Baptist runs $9,068 less per year; McKendree graduates 9 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 McKendree if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: McKendree graduates 9 percentage points more of its students than Southwest Baptist.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: McKendree graduates earn about $15,460 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at McKendree against none listed at Southwest Baptist.
Lean Southwest Baptist if…
- The number on the bill matters: Southwest Baptist lists $9,068 less per year in tuition and housing than McKendree, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Southwest Baptist is $2,293 lower than at McKendree.
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 | McKendree | Southwest Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $34,070 | $28,320 — Southwest Baptist leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $12,270 | $8,952 — Southwest Baptist leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $46,340 | $37,272 — Southwest Baptist 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 | McKendree | Southwest Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 60% — McKendree leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 51% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $58,572/yr — McKendree leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $43,112/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 | $20,957 — Southwest Baptist 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. | 40% — McKendree leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 49% |
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 | McKendree | Southwest Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 72% | 68% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,075 | 2,155 |
| Where it is | Lebanon, IL | Bolivar, MO |
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 | McKendree | Southwest Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Heather Tarter | Tripp Swisher |
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 | McKendree | Southwest Baptist |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 3 listed (3 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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.
McKendree
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Fall Prospect Camp I08/22/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $85
- Fall Prospect Camp II09/12/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $130
- Fall Prospect Camp III10/11/2026 · 8th Grade - College Junior · $85
Southwest Baptist
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.
McKendree vs Southwest Baptist: common questions
- Is McKendree or Southwest Baptist cheaper?
- On published price, Southwest Baptist is cheaper — about $37,272 a year in tuition and housing, against $46,340 at McKendree. 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, McKendree or Southwest Baptist?
- McKendree, at 60% against 51% at Southwest Baptist (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do McKendree and Southwest Baptist 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 McKendree and Southwest Baptist run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at McKendree and none currently listed at Southwest Baptist. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at McKendree and Southwest Baptist?
- Southwest Baptist runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For McKendree, 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 McKendree and Southwest Baptist 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.
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