Meredith vs Shenandoah: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Shenandoah runs $9,028 less per year; Shenandoah graduates 6 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 Meredith if…
- On the figures we hold, Meredith does not lead Shenandoah on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
Lean Shenandoah if…
- The number on the bill matters: Shenandoah lists $9,028 less per year in tuition and housing than Meredith, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Shenandoah graduates 6 percentage points more of its students than Meredith.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Shenandoah graduates earn about $6,894 more per year a decade after enrolling.
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 | Meredith | Shenandoah |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $43,936 | $36,028 — Shenandoah leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $12,920 | $11,800 — Shenandoah leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $56,856 | $47,828 — Shenandoah 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 | Meredith | Shenandoah |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 65% | 71% — Shenandoah leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $51,539/yr | $58,433/yr — Shenandoah leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 49% | 43% — Shenandoah 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 | Meredith | Shenandoah |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 74% | 77% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,576 | 4,343 |
| Where it is | Raleigh, NC | Winchester, VA |
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 | Meredith | Shenandoah |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | USA South | ODAC |
| Head coach | Kim Scavone | Olivia Scarbrough |
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 | Meredith | Shenandoah |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 1 listed (1 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
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.
Meredith
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | August 7th (Pitchers/Catchers Only)08/07/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $60
Shenandoah
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Hornet Prospect Camp08/03/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $160
Meredith vs Shenandoah: common questions
- Is Meredith or Shenandoah cheaper?
- On published price, Shenandoah is cheaper — about $47,828 a year in tuition and housing, against $56,856 at Meredith. 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, Meredith or Shenandoah?
- Shenandoah, at 71% against 65% at Meredith (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Meredith and Shenandoah offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do Meredith and Shenandoah run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Meredith and 1 at Shenandoah. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Meredith and Shenandoah?
- 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 Meredith and Shenandoah 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