North Dakota State vs South Dakota State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Summit. South Dakota State runs $2,705 less per year out of state; North Dakota State graduates 4 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 North Dakota State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: North Dakota State graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than South Dakota State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: North Dakota State graduates earn about $7,133 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean South Dakota State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: South Dakota State lists $2,705 less per year in tuition and housing than North Dakota State.
- You would be in-state: South Dakota State is $1,558 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than North Dakota State.
- You want to play in June: South Dakota State has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than North Dakota State since 2021.
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 | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,857 | $9,299 — South Dakota State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $15,511 | $12,809 — South Dakota State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $9,565 | $9,562 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,422 | $18,861 — South Dakota 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. | $25,076 | $22,371 — South Dakota 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 | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 64% — North Dakota State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 60% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,203/yr — North Dakota State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $55,070/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,199 | $23,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 37% — North Dakota State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 42% |
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 | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 95% | 98% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 11,952 | 11,498 |
| Where it is | Fargo, ND | Brookings, SD |
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 | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 2 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Darren Mueller | Kristina McSweeney |
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 | North Dakota State | South Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
North Dakota 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.
South Dakota 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.
North Dakota State vs South Dakota State: common questions
- Is North Dakota State or South Dakota State cheaper?
- On published price, South Dakota State is cheaper — about $22,371 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $25,076 at North Dakota State. 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, North Dakota State or South Dakota State?
- North Dakota State, at 64% against 60% at South Dakota State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do North Dakota State and South Dakota State 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at North Dakota State and South Dakota State?
- South Dakota State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For North Dakota State, 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 North Dakota State and South Dakota 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