Central Arkansas vs Eastern Kentucky: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the UAC. Central Arkansas runs $6,635 less per year out of state; Central Arkansas graduates 3 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 Central Arkansas if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Central Arkansas lists $6,635 less per year in tuition and housing than Eastern Kentucky.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Central Arkansas graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Eastern Kentucky.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Central Arkansas is $2,154 lower than at Eastern Kentucky.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Central Arkansas against none listed at Eastern Kentucky.
Lean Eastern Kentucky if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Eastern Kentucky admits 78% 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 | Central Arkansas | Eastern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,118 | $10,130 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $17,258 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $20,820 |
| Room & board | $8,662 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,735 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,780 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $21,865 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,920 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $32,555 |
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 | Central Arkansas | Eastern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 53% — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 50% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $45,938/yr | $45,795/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,346 — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $22,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 44% — Central Arkansas leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 49% |
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 | Central Arkansas | Eastern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 78% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,790 | 15,008 |
| Where it is | Conway, AR | Richmond, KY |
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 | Central Arkansas | Eastern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Kayla Lucas | Jane Worthington |
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 | Central Arkansas | Eastern Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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
Eastern Kentucky
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 vs Eastern Kentucky: common questions
- Is Central Arkansas or Eastern Kentucky cheaper?
- On published price, Central Arkansas is cheaper — about $25,920 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $32,555 at Eastern Kentucky. 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, Central Arkansas or Eastern Kentucky?
- Central Arkansas, at 53% against 50% at Eastern Kentucky (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky 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 Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Central Arkansas and none currently listed at Eastern Kentucky. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky?
- 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 Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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