New Mexico Highlands vs Southwestern Oklahoma State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Southwestern Oklahoma State runs $6,119 less per year out of state; Southwestern Oklahoma State graduates 9 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 New Mexico Highlands if…
- You would be in-state: New Mexico Highlands is $1,035 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Southwestern Oklahoma State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at New Mexico Highlands is $4,555 lower than at Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Lean Southwestern Oklahoma State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southwestern Oklahoma State lists $6,119 less per year in tuition and housing than New Mexico Highlands.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Southwestern Oklahoma State graduates 9 percentage points more of its students than New Mexico Highlands.
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 | New Mexico Highlands | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,260 — New Mexico Highlands leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $8,295 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $12,180 | $8,325 — Southwestern Oklahoma State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $9,674 | $7,410 — Southwestern Oklahoma State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $16,934 | $15,705 — Southwestern Oklahoma State 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. | $21,854 | $15,735 — Southwestern Oklahoma 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 | New Mexico Highlands | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 26% | 35% — Southwestern Oklahoma State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $45,937/yr | $45,744/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $11,399 — New Mexico Highlands leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $15,954 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 25% — New Mexico Highlands leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 35% |
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 | New Mexico Highlands | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,814 | 4,811 |
| Where it is | Las Vegas, NM | Weatherford, OK |
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 | New Mexico Highlands | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | RMAC | GAC |
| Head coach | Kali Pugh | Cheyenne Mahy |
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.
New Mexico Highlands
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.
Southwestern Oklahoma State
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.
New Mexico Highlands vs Southwestern Oklahoma State: common questions
- Is New Mexico Highlands or Southwestern Oklahoma State cheaper?
- On published price, Southwestern Oklahoma State is cheaper — about $15,735 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $21,854 at New Mexico Highlands. 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, New Mexico Highlands or Southwestern Oklahoma State?
- Southwestern Oklahoma State, at 35% against 26% at New Mexico Highlands (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do New Mexico Highlands and Southwestern Oklahoma 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.
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 New Mexico Highlands and Southwestern Oklahoma State 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