Abilene Christian vs Campbell: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Campbell lists $1,970 less in tuition; Abilene Christian graduates 4 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 Abilene Christian if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Abilene Christian graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than Campbell.
- Your transcript is a strength: Abilene Christian admits 66% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Campbell if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Campbell is $1,750 lower than at Abilene Christian.
- You want to play in June: Campbell has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Abilene Christian since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Campbell rates strong against solid at Abilene Christian.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Campbell admits 87% of applicants.
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 | Abilene Christian | Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $42,380 | $40,410 — Campbell leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $12,500 — Abilene Christian leads on this measure: lower room & board | $15,200 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $54,880 | $55,610 |
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 | Abilene Christian | Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 60% — Abilene Christian leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 56% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $55,736/yr | $54,886/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,250 | $22,500 — Campbell 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. | 44% | 41% — Campbell leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
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 | Abilene Christian | Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 66% | 87% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 5,114 | 5,115 |
| Where it is | Abilene, TX | Buies Creek, 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 | Abilene Christian | Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | UAC | CAA |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Larry Hays | Emily Carosone |
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 | Abilene Christian | Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Abilene Christian
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.
Campbell
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.
Abilene Christian vs Campbell: common questions
- Is Abilene Christian or Campbell cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $54,880 a year in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Abilene Christian or Campbell?
- Abilene Christian, at 60% against 56% at Campbell (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Abilene Christian and Campbell 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Abilene Christian and Campbell?
- Campbell runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Abilene Christian, 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 Abilene Christian and Campbell accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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