Austin Peay State vs Central Arkansas: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the UAC. Central Arkansas runs $1,369 less per year out of state; Central Arkansas 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 Austin Peay State if…
- You would be in-state: Austin Peay State is $1,443 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Central Arkansas.
Lean Central Arkansas if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Central Arkansas lists $1,369 less per year in tuition and housing than Austin Peay State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Central Arkansas graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than Austin Peay State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Central Arkansas graduates earn about $1,637 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Central Arkansas has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Austin Peay State since 2021.
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 | Austin Peay State | Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,675 — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $10,118 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $14,219 — Austin Peay State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $17,258 |
| Room & board | $13,070 | $8,662 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,745 | $18,780 — Central Arkansas 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. | $27,289 | $25,920 — Central Arkansas 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 | Austin Peay State | Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 45% | 53% — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,301/yr | $45,938/yr — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,547 | $20,346 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 46% | 44% — Central Arkansas 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 | Austin Peay State | Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 96% | 89% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,945 | 9,790 |
| Where it is | Clarksville, TN | Conway, AR |
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 | Austin Peay State | Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Kassie Stanfill | Kayla Lucas |
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 | Austin Peay State | Central Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed (2 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Austin Peay State
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.
Central Arkansas
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp08/09/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $180
- Prospect Camp09/13/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $180
Austin Peay State vs Central Arkansas: common questions
- Is Austin Peay State or Central Arkansas cheaper?
- On published price, Central Arkansas is cheaper — about $25,920 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $27,289 at Austin Peay State. 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, Austin Peay State or Central Arkansas?
- Central Arkansas, at 53% against 45% at Austin Peay State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Austin Peay State and Central Arkansas 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 Austin Peay State and Central Arkansas run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Central Arkansas and none currently listed at Austin Peay State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Austin Peay State and Central Arkansas?
- 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 Austin Peay State and Central Arkansas 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.
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