Northern State vs Shawnee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Northern State runs $7,681 less per year out of state; Northern State graduates earn $8,022 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 State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Northern State lists $7,681 less per year in tuition and housing than Shawnee State.
- You would be in-state: Northern State is $1,781 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Shawnee State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Northern State graduates earn about $8,022 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Shawnee State if…
- On the figures we hold, Shawnee State does not lead Northern State on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
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 | Northern State | Shawnee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,845 — Northern State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,626 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $11,947 — Northern State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $17,358 |
| Room & board | $10,300 — Northern State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,570 |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $19,145 — Northern State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $23,196 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,247 — Northern State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $29,928 |
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 State | Shawnee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 49% | 48% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $47,618/yr — Northern State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $39,596/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,320 | $23,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 47% — Northern State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 58% |
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 State | Shawnee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,521 | 3,206 |
| Where it is | Aberdeen, SD | Portsmouth, OH |
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 State | Shawnee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NSIC | MEC |
| Head coach | Kaley Ness | Kristen Bradshaw |
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 State | Shawnee 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.
Northern 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.
Shawnee 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.
Northern State vs Shawnee State: common questions
- Is Northern State or Shawnee State cheaper?
- On published price, Northern State is cheaper — about $22,247 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $29,928 at Shawnee 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, Northern State or Shawnee State?
- Northern State, at 49% against 48% at Shawnee State (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Northern State and Shawnee 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 Northern State and Shawnee 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 Northern State and Shawnee 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