Salem vs Spalding: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Spalding runs $8,962 less per year; Spalding graduates earn $4,798 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 Salem if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 5 camps at Salem against none listed at Spalding.
- Your transcript is a strength: Salem admits 77% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Spalding if…
- The number on the bill matters: Spalding lists $8,962 less per year in tuition and housing than Salem, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Spalding graduates earn about $4,798 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Spalding is $1,399 lower than at Salem.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Spalding admits 99% of applicants.
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 | Salem | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $32,236 | $27,850 — Spalding leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $13,056 | $8,480 — Spalding leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $45,292 | $36,330 — Spalding leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Salem | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 56% | 57% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,640/yr | $49,438/yr — Spalding leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,649 | $25,250 — Spalding 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. | 60% | 51% — Spalding 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 | Salem | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 77% | 99% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 519 | 1,555 |
| Where it is | Winston-Salem, NC | Louisville, KY |
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 | Salem | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | USA South | SLIAC |
| Head coach | Ryan Carriker | Art Williams |
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 | Salem | Spalding |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 5 listed (5 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
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.
Salem
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- July Prospect Camp07/22/2026 · $138 ($125 + $13 Fees) · REGISTER
- August Prospect Camp08/14/2026 · $138 ($125 + $13 Fees) · REGISTER
- September Prospect Camp09/26/2026 · $138 ($125 + $13 Fees) · REGISTER
- October Prospect Camp10/24/2026 · $138 ($125 + $13 Fees) · REGISTER
Spalding
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.
Salem vs Spalding: common questions
- Is Salem or Spalding cheaper?
- On published price, Spalding is cheaper — about $36,330 a year in tuition and housing, against $45,292 at Salem. 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, Salem or Spalding?
- Spalding, at 57% against 56% at Salem (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Salem and Spalding offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do Salem and Spalding run softball camps?
- We track 5 camps at Salem and none currently listed at Spalding. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Salem and Spalding?
- 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, 2023-24). 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 Salem and Spalding 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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