McKendree University Swimming — Division II Recruiting Profile
At a Glance
McKendree University Swim Program Overview
McKendree University fields men's varsity · women's varsity in NCAA Division II, competing in the Great Lakes Valley. Division II programs offer a strong blend of competitive athletics and academic life, with scholarship money available at most programs and a focus on the student-athlete experience.
NCAA Division II swimming allows up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender. McKendree University can distribute this pool across as many swimmers as the coaching staff chooses — typically resulting in partial scholarships for most varsity athletes. D2 coaches also stack academic and need-based aid on top of athletic money, making D2 programs an excellent value for academically strong swimmers.
Academically, McKendree University has an enrollment of 3,499, a 57.1% acceptance rate, a Niche overall grade of C+. As a private institution, it charges a single tuition rate of $32,100 regardless of home state.
Recruiting Time Standards
Calibrated benchmarks for McKendree University based on historical recruiting classes. A cut = scholarship / elite tier. B cut = scoring varsity. C cut = walk-on / depth.
| Event | A Cut | B Cut | C Cut |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Free | 22.18 | 22.96 | 24.08 |
| 100 Free | 48.72 | 50.62 | 52.64 |
| 200 Free | 1:45.84 | 1:49.76 | 1:54.24 |
| 500 Free | 4:45.60 | 4:54.56 | 5:04.64 |
| 1000 Free | 9:49.12 | 10:04.80 | 10:22.72 |
| 1650 Free | 16:25.60 | 16:48.00 | 17:17.12 |
| 100 Back | 53.20 | 55.10 | 57.68 |
| 200 Back | 1:55.36 | 1:59.84 | 2:05.44 |
| 100 Breast | 59.36 | 1:01.60 | 1:04.40 |
| 200 Breast | 2:07.68 | 2:13.28 | 2:18.88 |
| 100 Fly | 52.08 | 54.32 | 56.56 |
| 200 Fly | 1:54.24 | 1:58.72 | 2:03.76 |
| 200 IM | 1:48.64 | 1:53.12 | 1:57.60 |
| 400 IM | 3:52.96 | 4:01.92 | 4:10.88 |
McKendree University Swimming Division and Conference
McKendree University competes in NCAA Division II, in the Great Lakes Valley. Division II offers a highly competitive environment with scholarship funding and a strong emphasis on balancing athletic and academic life. The Great Lakes Valley conducts a conference championship each season, which influences national rankings and NCAA qualifying bids.
Is McKendree University a good fit for swimmers?
McKendree University is a NCAA Division II swim program competing in the Great Lakes Valley, a competitive NCAA conference. Division II swimming offers a highly competitive environment with scholarship funding and a strong emphasis on the complete student-athlete experience. It is a common destination for talented swimmers who want athletic aid without the full intensity of a D1 program.
Competing in the Great Lakes Valley, McKendree University swimmers face some of the strongest programs in the country throughout the season. Conference championship performance influences team rankings, national reputation, and how many swimmers earn bids to the NCAA Championships in March.
NCAA D2 programs may distribute up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender. At McKendree University, the coaching staff spreads this pool across the roster — most recruited swimmers receive partial athletic scholarships. Strong academic records can stack additional institutional aid on top of athletic money, making D2 programs excellent value for scholar-athletes.
Who should consider McKendree University for swimming?
McKendree University is an ideal recruiting target for swimmers who want to compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Great Lakes Valley while studying in Lebanon, Illinois. As a private institution, McKendree University charges the same tuition rate for all students regardless of home state. Athletic and merit aid packages are the primary levers for reducing the real cost, so recruited swimmers should have detailed financial conversations with the coaching staff early in the process.
Based on McKendree University's historical recruiting classes, the breakdown by tier for the 50 Free looks like this:
- Scholarship-target level (A cut) — 22.18 or faster in the 50 Free: These recruits are the top priority for coaching staff and are first in line for athletic aid discussions.
- Scoring varsity level (B cut) — 22.96: Expected to contribute points in dual meets and conference scoring situations. Strong candidates for partial athletic and merit aid packages.
- Walk-on / preferred walk-on (C cut) — 24.08: Adds training depth to the program. Walk-ons at D1 programs routinely drop significant time and can earn scholarship money in later years based on performance.
Coaches recruit on your best event — a single A-cut can open a recruiting conversation regardless of other events. See the full recruiting time standards table above for all 14 tracked events and identify where you stand across your entire event lineup.
Academically, McKendree University admits 57.1% of applicants — a moderately selective school where strong grades will support your recruiting candidacy. Recruited athletes are expected to meet the standard admissions profile, and coaches typically have some ability to advocate for borderline candidates when the athletic need is strong.
Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid
Sticker price
In-state tuition: $32,100
Out-of-state tuition: $32,100
Room & board: $14,800
After aid
Average net price: $20,300 (IPEDS)
Meets full need: No
Merit aid availability: high
Need aid availability: medium
Academic Profile
Admissions
Acceptance rate: 57.1%
Total enrollment: 3,499
Institution type: private
NCAA eligibility requires a minimum 2.3 GPA and 16 core courses for D1/D2, and a 2.0 GPA for D3, plus academic progress standards in each year. McKendree University's admissions profile reflects the general academic baseline — most coaches prefer recruits who meet or comfortably exceed those standards.
Campus & Location
McKendree University is located in Lebanon, Illinois. Browse all NCAA swim programs in Illinois →
Coaching Staff & Recruiting Contact
Frequently Asked Questions
- What division does McKendree University swim in?
- McKendree University competes in NCAA Division II, in the Great Lakes Valley. The program offers men's varsity · women's varsity.
- What recruiting times does McKendree University swimming look for?
- For the 50 Free, McKendree University's A-cut recruiting standard is 22.18, the B cut is 22.96, and the C cut is 24.08. A cuts target scholarship-level recruits, B cuts are solid scoring varsity, and C cuts cover walk-on depth. See the full table above for all 14 tracked events.
- How much does McKendree University cost after financial aid?
- IPEDS data shows an average net price of $20,300 per year at McKendree University. Your real cost depends on your family's FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI), any athletic aid, and merit scholarships.
- Does McKendree University swimming offer athletic scholarships?
- Yes. Division II programs can offer up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender. McKendree University's coaching staff decides how to split the pool — typically resulting in partial scholarships for most varsity swimmers.
- Does McKendree University meet 100% of demonstrated financial need?
- McKendree University does not commit to meeting 100% of financial need. Aid packages typically include a combination of grants, loans, and work-study based on FAFSA results.
- How selective is McKendree University academically?
- McKendree University accepts 57.1% of applicants. Recruited swimmers are expected to meet or exceed the general admissions academic standards, though coaches may have limited bandwidth to advocate for borderline academic cases.
- What conference does McKendree University swimming compete in?
- McKendree University swims in the Great Lakes Valley. Conference championship performance influences NCAA qualifying times and the program's national ranking each season.
- Is McKendree University public or private, and does it matter for swim recruits?
- McKendree University is a private university and charges a uniform tuition rate of $32,100 for all students regardless of home state. Private schools often have larger endowments to fund merit aid and sometimes cover more of demonstrated financial need.
Similar Programs
Other NCAA Division II programs in and around Illinois — explore schools with comparable recruiting profiles
Great Lakes Valley Programs
McKendree University competes against these schools throughout the season at dual meets and the Great Lakes Valley championship
Do your times fit McKendree University?
Enter your best event times and we'll tell you exactly how you compare to McKendree University's A, B, and C recruiting benchmarks — across all 14 events.
You'll also get a ranked list of every program that fits your times, GPA, and budget. No credit card required.
Sources: NCAA, IPEDS, Niche.com, ProductiveRecruit. Recruiting time tiers (A/B/C) are University Swim Fit-calibrated benchmarks based on division, program tier, and historical recruiting classes.