Nebraska at Kearney vs Southwest Minnesota State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Southwest Minnesota State runs $5,226 less per year out of state; Nebraska at Kearney graduates 16 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 Nebraska at Kearney if…
- You would be in-state: Nebraska at Kearney is $2,002 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Nebraska at Kearney graduates 16 percentage points more of its students than Southwest Minnesota State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Nebraska at Kearney is $1,000 lower than at Southwest Minnesota State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Nebraska at Kearney against none listed at Southwest Minnesota State.
Lean Southwest Minnesota State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southwest Minnesota State lists $5,226 less per year in tuition and housing than Nebraska at Kearney.
- Your transcript is a strength: Southwest Minnesota State admits 62% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,302 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,304 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $14,260 | $10,304 — Southwest Minnesota State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,936 | $10,666 — Southwest Minnesota State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,238 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,970 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $26,196 | $20,970 — Southwest Minnesota State 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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 60% — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 44% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $50,105/yr | $51,342/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $20,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 39% | 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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 62% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,017 | 7,324 |
| Where it is | Kearney, NE | Marshall, MN |
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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MIAA | NSIC |
| Head coach | Katie Ackermann | Bailey Bouman |
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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | 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.
Nebraska at Kearney
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- All Skills Camp08/30/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $90
Southwest Minnesota State
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.
Nebraska at Kearney vs Southwest Minnesota State: common questions
- Is Nebraska at Kearney or Southwest Minnesota State cheaper?
- On published price, Southwest Minnesota State is cheaper — about $20,970 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $26,196 at Nebraska at Kearney. 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, Nebraska at Kearney or Southwest Minnesota State?
- Nebraska at Kearney, at 60% against 44% at Southwest Minnesota State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Nebraska at Kearney and Southwest Minnesota State 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 Nebraska at Kearney and Southwest Minnesota State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Nebraska at Kearney and none currently listed at Southwest Minnesota State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Nebraska at Kearney and Southwest Minnesota State?
- 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 Nebraska at Kearney and Southwest Minnesota State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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