Northwestern State vs Southeastern Louisiana: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Southland. Northwestern State lists $1,199 less in out-of-state tuition.
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 Northwestern State if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 4 camps at Northwestern State against none listed at Southeastern Louisiana.
Lean Southeastern Louisiana if…
- You would be in-state: Southeastern Louisiana is $491 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Northwestern State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Southeastern Louisiana is $2,887 lower than at Northwestern State.
- You want to play in June: Southeastern Louisiana has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Northwestern State since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Southeastern Louisiana rates strong against solid at Northwestern State.
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 | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,864 | $8,373 — Southeastern Louisiana leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $19,652 — Northwestern State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $20,851 |
| Room & board | $10,617 | $10,240 — Southeastern Louisiana leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $19,481 | $18,613 — Southeastern Louisiana 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. | $30,269 | $31,091 |
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 | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 45% | 45% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $47,021/yr | $46,482/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 | $22,113 — Southeastern Louisiana leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 53% | 48% — Southeastern Louisiana 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 | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | 99% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 8,847 | 13,861 |
| Where it is | Natchitoches, LA | Hammond, LA |
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 | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Jason Anderson | Trent Partridge |
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 | Northwestern State | Southeastern Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 4 listed (4 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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. 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.
Northwestern State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Elite Pitching & Catching CampJanuary 9th, 2027 · 7th - College Sophomore Grade as of Fall · $85.00
- Elite All Skills CampJanuary 9th, 2027 · 7th - College Sophomore Grade as of Fall · $138.00
- 2026 Winter Instructional Camp | Coach and associated player registrationJanuary 10th, 2027 · 8th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026
- 2026 Winter Instructional Camp | Individuals registering WITHOUT a teamJanuary 10th, 2027 · 8th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $85.00
Southeastern Louisiana
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.
Northwestern State vs Southeastern Louisiana: common questions
- Is Northwestern State or Southeastern Louisiana cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $30,269 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, Northwestern State or Southeastern Louisiana?
- Both report a 45% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana 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 Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana run softball camps?
- We track 4 camps at Northwestern State and none currently listed at Southeastern Louisiana. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana?
- 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.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-2024). 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 Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana 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.
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