Minnesota vs Southern Illinois: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Southern Illinois runs $24,072 less per year out of state; Minnesota graduates 29 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 Minnesota if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Minnesota graduates 29 percentage points more of its students than Southern Illinois.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Minnesota graduates earn about $9,226 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Southern Illinois if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southern Illinois lists $24,072 less per year in tuition and housing than Minnesota.
- You would be in-state: Southern Illinois is $3,244 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Minnesota.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Southern Illinois rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Minnesota.
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 | Minnesota | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $16,488 | $13,244 — Southern Illinois leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $36,402 | $13,244 — Southern Illinois leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $13,028 | $12,114 — Southern Illinois leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $29,516 | $25,358 — Southern Illinois 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. | $49,430 | $25,358 — Southern Illinois 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 | Minnesota | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 85% — Minnesota leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 56% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,616/yr — Minnesota leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $53,390/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,024 | $21,543 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 35% — Minnesota leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 40% |
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 | Minnesota | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 87% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #47 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 54,890 | 11,359 |
| Where it is | Minneapolis, MN | Carbondale, IL |
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 | Minnesota | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big Ten | Missouri Valley |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 3 of the last 6 tournaments | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Gretta Melsted | Jen Sewell |
| In the job since | 2018 | — |
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 | Minnesota | Southern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | 1 listed |
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
Southern Illinois
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
Minnesota vs Southern Illinois: common questions
- Is Minnesota or Southern Illinois cheaper?
- On published price, Southern Illinois is cheaper — about $25,358 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $49,430 at Minnesota. 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, Minnesota or Southern Illinois?
- Minnesota, at 85% against 56% at Southern Illinois (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Minnesota and Southern Illinois 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?
- Minnesota rates very competitive against competitive at Southern Illinois. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Minnesota and Southern Illinois run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Minnesota and 1 at Southern Illinois. 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 Minnesota and Southern Illinois?
- Minnesota runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Southern Illinois, 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 Minnesota and Southern Illinois accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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