South Dakota vs Youngstown State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Youngstown State lists $1,791 less in out-of-state tuition; South Dakota graduates 8 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 would be in-state: South Dakota is $1,359 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Youngstown State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: South Dakota graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than Youngstown State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: South Dakota graduates earn about $10,382 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: South Dakota has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Youngstown State since 2021.
Lean Youngstown State if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Youngstown State admits 84% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,432 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,791 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $12,942 | $11,151 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $9,060 — South Dakota leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,384 |
| 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 | $21,175 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,002 | $21,535 |
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 | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 61% — South Dakota leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 53% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $51,926/yr — South Dakota leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $41,544/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,592 | $24,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 45% — South Dakota 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 | South Dakota | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 99% | 84% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,868 | 11,040 |
| Where it is | Vermillion, SD | Youngstown, 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 | South Dakota | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Summit | Horizon |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Shannon Pivovar | Erin Pond |
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 | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | 1 listed (1 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.
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
Youngstown State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Fall Skills Clinic09/19/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $70 - $120
South Dakota vs Youngstown State: common questions
- Is South Dakota or Youngstown State cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $22,002 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, South Dakota or Youngstown State?
- South Dakota, at 61% against 53% at Youngstown State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do South Dakota and Youngstown 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 Youngstown State run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 2 at South Dakota and 1 at Youngstown State. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at South Dakota and Youngstown 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.
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 Youngstown State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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