Montana State Northern vs Southern Oregon: Softball Program Comparison
Two NAIA programs. Montana State Northern runs $20,560 less per year out of state; Southern Oregon graduates 2 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 Montana State Northern if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Montana State Northern lists $20,560 less per year in tuition and housing than Southern Oregon.
- You would be in-state: Montana State Northern is $5,824 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southern Oregon.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Montana State Northern graduates earn about $4,088 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Southern Oregon if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Southern Oregon graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than Montana State Northern.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Southern Oregon is $2,168 lower than at Montana State Northern.
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 | Montana State Northern | Southern Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $6,269 — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $12,093 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $19,385 — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $30,723 |
| Room & board | $7,026 — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: lower room & board | $16,248 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $13,295 — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $28,341 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $26,411 — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $46,971 |
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 | Montana State Northern | Southern Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 42% | 44% — Southern Oregon leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $53,263/yr — Montana State Northern leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $49,175/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 | $20,332 — Southern Oregon 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. | 42% | 41% |
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 | Montana State Northern | Southern Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 82% | 89% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,021 | 5,371 |
| Where it is | Havre, MT | Ashland, OR |
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 | Montana State Northern | Southern Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | FRON | CCC |
| Head coach | — | Jessica Pistole |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NAIA, so the scholarship rules are identical: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic aid.
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.
Montana State Northern
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Southern Oregon
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Montana State Northern vs Southern Oregon: common questions
- Is Montana State Northern or Southern Oregon cheaper?
- On published price, Montana State Northern is cheaper — about $26,411 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $46,971 at Southern Oregon. 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, Montana State Northern or Southern Oregon?
- Southern Oregon, at 44% against 42% at Montana State Northern (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Montana State Northern and Southern Oregon offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NAIA: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic aid.
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 Montana State Northern and Southern Oregon accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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