UW-Stout vs Wheaton (IL): Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. UW-Stout runs $28,896 less per year out of state; Wheaton (IL) graduates 34 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 UW-Stout if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: UW-Stout lists $28,896 less per year in tuition and housing than Wheaton (IL).
- You would be in-state: UW-Stout is $33,788 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Wheaton (IL).
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 8 camps at UW-Stout against none listed at Wheaton (IL).
Lean Wheaton (IL) if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Wheaton (IL) graduates 34 percentage points more of its students than UW-Stout.
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 | UW-Stout | Wheaton (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,142 — UW-Stout leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $43,930 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $18,706 — UW-Stout leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $43,930 |
| Room & board | $8,718 — UW-Stout leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,390 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,860 — UW-Stout leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $56,320 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $27,424 — UW-Stout leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $56,320 |
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 | UW-Stout | Wheaton (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 53% | 87% — Wheaton (IL) leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $63,756/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $23,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 36% |
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 | UW-Stout | Wheaton (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 87% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,951 | 2,799 |
| Where it is | Menomonie, WI | Wheaton, IL |
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 | UW-Stout | Wheaton (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | WIAC | CCIW |
| Head coach | Lakyn Krizan | Amanda Fazzari |
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 | UW-Stout | Wheaton (IL) |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 8 listed (8 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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.
UW-Stout
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Fall Prospect Camp09/20/2026 · 9th Grade - College Senior · $45 - $130
- Fall High School Skills Camp09/27/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $45 - $110
- Fall Youth Skills Camp09/27/2026 · 5th Grade - 8th Grade · $35 - $90
- Defense Progressive Series11/01/2026 - 11/22/2026 · 3rd Grade - 8th Grade · $160 - $165
Wheaton (IL)
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.
UW-Stout vs Wheaton (IL): common questions
- Is UW-Stout or Wheaton (IL) cheaper?
- On published price, UW-Stout is cheaper — about $27,424 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $56,320 at Wheaton (IL). 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, UW-Stout or Wheaton (IL)?
- Wheaton (IL), at 87% against 53% at UW-Stout (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do UW-Stout and Wheaton (IL) 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 UW-Stout and Wheaton (IL) run softball camps?
- We track 8 camps at UW-Stout and none currently listed at Wheaton (IL). Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at UW-Stout and Wheaton (IL)?
- 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 UW-Stout and Wheaton (IL) accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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