Western Illinois vs Youngstown State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Youngstown State runs $4,337 less per year out of state; Youngstown State 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 Western Illinois if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Western Illinois graduates earn about $12,619 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Western Illinois admits 71% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Youngstown State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Youngstown State lists $4,337 less per year in tuition and housing than Western Illinois.
- You would be in-state: Youngstown State is $4,161 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Western Illinois.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Youngstown State graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than Western Illinois.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Youngstown State is $1,251 lower than at Western Illinois.
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 | Western Illinois | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $14,952 | $10,791 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $14,952 | $11,151 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $10,920 | $10,384 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,872 | $21,175 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,872 | $21,535 — Youngstown State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
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 | Western Illinois | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 45% | 53% — Youngstown State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $54,163/yr — Western Illinois leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $41,544/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,251 | $24,000 — Youngstown 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. | 47% — Western Illinois 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 | Western Illinois | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 71% | 84% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 7,073 | 11,040 |
| Where it is | Macomb, IL | 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 | Western Illinois | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Ohio Valley | Horizon |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Alisa Goler | 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 | Western Illinois | Youngstown State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 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.
Western Illinois
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.
Youngstown State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Fall Skills Clinic09/19/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $70 - $120
Western Illinois vs Youngstown State: common questions
- Is Western Illinois or Youngstown State cheaper?
- On published price, Youngstown State is cheaper — about $21,535 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $25,872 at Western Illinois. 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, Western Illinois or Youngstown State?
- Youngstown State, at 53% against 45% at Western Illinois (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois and Youngstown State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Youngstown State and none currently listed at Western Illinois. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois and Youngstown State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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