Northern Colorado vs Southern Indiana: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Southern Indiana runs $8,063 less per year out of state; Northern Colorado graduates earn $4,626 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 Northern Colorado if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Northern Colorado graduates earn about $4,626 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Northern Colorado has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Southern Indiana since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 4 camps at Northern Colorado against none listed at Southern Indiana.
Lean Southern Indiana if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Southern Indiana lists $8,063 less per year in tuition and housing than Northern Colorado.
- You would be in-state: Southern Indiana is $1,874 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Northern Colorado.
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 | Northern Colorado | Southern Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $12,010 | $10,136 — Southern Indiana leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $26,204 | $22,573 — Southern Indiana leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $15,230 | $10,798 — Southern Indiana leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $27,240 | $20,934 — Southern Indiana 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. | $41,434 | $33,371 — Southern Indiana 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 | Northern Colorado | Southern Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 51% | 52% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,231/yr — Northern Colorado leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $47,605/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,470 | $20,105 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 39% — Northern Colorado 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 | Northern Colorado | Southern Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 86% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,067 | 9,282 |
| Where it is | Greeley, CO | Evansville, IN |
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 | Northern Colorado | Southern Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big Sky | Ohio Valley |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 2 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Dedeann Pendleton-Helm | Sue Kunkle |
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 | Northern Colorado | Southern Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 4 listed (4 with dates) | — |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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. 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.
Northern Colorado
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- UNC Softball Prospect Camp | August 22nd | Session 108/22/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $125
- UNC Softball Prospect Camp | August 22nd | Session 208/22/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $175
- UNC Softball Prospect Camp | September 12th | Session 109/12/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $125
- UNC Softball Prospect Camp | September 12th | Session 209/12/2026 · 8th Grade - College Sophomore · $175
Southern Indiana
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.
Northern Colorado vs Southern Indiana: common questions
- Is Northern Colorado or Southern Indiana cheaper?
- On published price, Southern Indiana is cheaper — about $33,371 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $41,434 at Northern Colorado. 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, Northern Colorado or Southern Indiana?
- Southern Indiana, at 52% against 51% at Northern Colorado (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Northern Colorado and Southern Indiana 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.
- Do Northern Colorado and Southern Indiana run softball camps?
- We track 4 camps at Northern Colorado and none currently listed at Southern Indiana. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
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 Northern Colorado and Southern Indiana accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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