Arizona vs North Texas: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. North Texas runs $23,446 less per year out of state; Arizona graduates 6 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 Arizona if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Arizona graduates 6 percentage points more of its students than North Texas.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Arizona graduates earn about $2,969 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Arizona has reached 4 more NCAA tournaments than North Texas since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Arizona rates strong against solid at North Texas.
Lean North Texas if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: North Texas lists $23,446 less per year in tuition and housing than Arizona.
- You would be in-state: North Texas is $2,462 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Arizona.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: North Texas rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Arizona.
- Your transcript is a strength: North Texas admits 72% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Arizona | North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $13,626 | $11,164 — North Texas leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $41,095 | $21,244 — North Texas leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $14,400 | $10,805 — North Texas leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,026 | $21,969 — North Texas 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. | $55,495 | $32,049 — North Texas 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 | Arizona | North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 66% — Arizona leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 60% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $59,979/yr — Arizona leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $57,010/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,620 | $19,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 33% — Arizona leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 34% |
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 | Arizona | North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 86% | 72% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #90 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 53,001 | 47,507 |
| Where it is | Tucson, AZ | Denton, TX |
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 | Arizona | North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big 12 | American |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments (2 WCWS) | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | #12 | — |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Caitlin Lowe | Cody White |
| In the job since | 2018 | — |
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 | Arizona | North Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | 1 listed |
| 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.
Arizona vs North Texas: common questions
- Is Arizona or North Texas cheaper?
- On published price, North Texas is cheaper — about $32,049 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $55,495 at Arizona. 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, Arizona or North Texas?
- Arizona, at 66% against 60% at North Texas (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Arizona and North Texas 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Arizona rates very competitive against competitive at North Texas. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Arizona and North Texas run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Arizona and 1 at North Texas. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Arizona and North Texas?
- 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 Arizona and North Texas 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