You’re interested in playing college baseball, but what are your chances of making it to the next level? While many tout national probability as gospel, it turns out your odds of playing at the next level vary greatly depending on where you live.
If you live in Iowa and are wondering what percentage of high school graduates from your state play at each college level and where they are playing, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we team up with our friends at College Baseball Insights to provide you with state-level overview of your chances to play at the next level.
You can see an overview of our resources, methodology, and limitations on our College Baseball Participation Overview Main Page, as well find overviews on other states and regions.
Iowa by the Numbers
In the table below, you’ll see how many high school players from Iowa are playing at each level of college baseball, the probability of playing at each college level, and how Iowa compares nationally and to other states in the Midwest Region. You can see the complete Midwest breakdown HERE.
Where Are They Playing?
Image and data credit: College Baseball Insights
The Breakdown
The probability of playing college baseball for Iowa high school ballplayers is bleak to say the least. Iowa joins Texas as the only states with no level above the national average and in Iowa’s case, it has no level represented above the Midwest averages. With an overall probability of playing in college of 5.07%, it’s less than half the national average (12.58%) and the lowest of any state in the country. Iowa is home to 11 junior college programs, but only sends 1.36% of players to the JUCO level. Iowa’s 10 D3’s gives it the 11th most of any state yet it’s 1.24% D3 participation is well below national and Midwest totals. NAIA is a similar picture. 11 programs is a lot compared to the high school participation numbers, yet only 1.48% of Iowans play at the NAIA level. Iowa’s D1 probability (.61%) and D2 odds (.38%) are hampered by only 1 in-state option for each and amount to the second lowest probabilities of any state at each respective level. Iowans who want to play at D1 or D2 programs will have to work hard to look at and make connections with out-of-state options.
Want to see additional states and regional breakdowns? Find them HERE.
Limitations
This article was written with data and insights from 3rd party sources, College Baseball Insights and NFHS High School Participation Data. Data and insights are subject to revision and/or change. We’ve attempted to display as accurate a picture as possible with the information that is available. Readers should be aware that college baseball roster data is fluid and changes throughout the year. Every attempt is made to reconcile data and keep up with changes, but this article may not reflect the changes or updates from 3rd parties. Insights cannot account for gap year programs, misreported roster information, or other inaccuracies which may slightly alter the numbers and percentages used in this article. Insights are subject to change and are based on best available information.
