South Dakota vs Wichita State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. South Dakota runs $11,028 less per year out of state; South Dakota graduates 10 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 South Dakota if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: South Dakota lists $11,028 less per year in tuition and housing than Wichita State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: South Dakota graduates 10 percentage points more of its students than Wichita State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at South Dakota against none listed at Wichita State.
Lean Wichita State if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Wichita State is $3,092 lower than at South Dakota.
- You want to play in June: Wichita State has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than South Dakota since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Wichita State rates strong against solid at South Dakota.
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 | South Dakota | Wichita State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,432 | $9,322 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $12,942 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $19,240 |
| Room & board | $9,060 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,790 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,492 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $23,112 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,002 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $33,030 |
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 | South Dakota | Wichita State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 61% — South Dakota leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 51% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $51,926/yr | $51,532/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,592 | $20,500 — Wichita State 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. | 45% | 40% — Wichita State 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 | South Dakota | Wichita State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 99% | 94% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,868 | 16,741 |
| Where it is | Vermillion, SD | Wichita, KS |
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 | South Dakota | Wichita State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Summit | American |
| Conference level | Mid-Major | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Shannon Pivovar | Kristi Bredbenner |
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 | South Dakota | Wichita State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| 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. 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.
South Dakota
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- All Skills Camp08/06/2026 · 6th Grade - 12th Grade · $125
- ID Camp08/07/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
Wichita 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 vs Wichita State: common questions
- Is South Dakota or Wichita State cheaper?
- On published price, South Dakota is cheaper — about $22,002 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $33,030 at Wichita 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, South Dakota or Wichita State?
- South Dakota, at 61% against 51% at Wichita State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do South Dakota and Wichita 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.
- Do South Dakota and Wichita State run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at South Dakota and none currently listed at Wichita State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at South Dakota and Wichita State?
- South Dakota runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Wichita 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 South Dakota and Wichita State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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