Nebraska at Kearney vs Winona State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Nebraska at Kearney lists $2,024 less in out-of-state tuition; Winona State graduates earn $8,427 more a decade out.
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 $1,900 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Winona State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Nebraska at Kearney is $2,000 lower than at Winona State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Nebraska at Kearney admits 89% of applicants.
Lean Winona State if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Winona State graduates earn about $8,427 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Winona State admits 75% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Winona State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,676 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,576 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $15,284 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $17,308 |
| Room & board | $11,936 | $9,924 — Winona State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $20,612 | $20,500 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $27,220 | $27,232 |
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 | Winona State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 58% | 57% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $50,105/yr | $58,532/yr — Winona State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 — Nebraska at Kearney leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $21,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 39% | 37% — Winona State 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 | Nebraska at Kearney | Winona State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 75% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,017 | 6,058 |
| Where it is | Kearney, NE | Winona, 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 | Winona State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MIAA | NSIC |
| Head coach | Katie Ackermann | Greg Jones |
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 | Winona State |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Nebraska at Kearney
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.
Winona 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 Winona State: common questions
- Is Nebraska at Kearney or Winona State cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $27,220 a year out of state in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Nebraska at Kearney or Winona State?
- Nebraska at Kearney, at 58% against 57% at Winona State (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Nebraska at Kearney and Winona 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Nebraska at Kearney and Winona 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.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Winona State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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