Valdosta State vs Winston-Salem State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Valdosta State runs $2,891 less per year out of state; Winston-Salem State graduates 7 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 Valdosta State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Valdosta State lists $2,891 less per year in tuition and housing than Winston-Salem State.
- You would be in-state: Valdosta State is $728 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Winston-Salem State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Valdosta State graduates earn about $4,017 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Winston-Salem State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Winston-Salem State graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Valdosta 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 | Valdosta State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $6,007 — Valdosta State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $6,735 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $17,062 | $17,391 |
| Room & board | $8,922 — Valdosta State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,484 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $14,929 — Valdosta State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $18,219 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,984 — Valdosta State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $28,875 |
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 | Valdosta State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 42% | 49% — Winston-Salem State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $49,361/yr — Valdosta State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $45,344/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,779 | $25,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 50% — Valdosta State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 55% |
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 | Valdosta State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 72% | 78% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 10,151 | 4,776 |
| Where it is | Valdosta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC |
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 | Valdosta State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | GSC | CIAA |
| Head coach | Thomas Macera | Tiffany Massey |
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 | Valdosta State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division II, so the scholarship rules are identical: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Valdosta 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.
Winston-Salem State
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.
Valdosta State vs Winston-Salem State: common questions
- Is Valdosta State or Winston-Salem State cheaper?
- On published price, Valdosta State is cheaper — about $25,984 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $28,875 at Winston-Salem 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, Valdosta State or Winston-Salem State?
- Winston-Salem State, at 49% against 42% at Valdosta State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Valdosta State and Winston-Salem State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division II: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
- How do I contact the coaches at Valdosta State and Winston-Salem State?
- Winston-Salem State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Valdosta 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 Valdosta State and Winston-Salem State 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.
Start free