UNC Charlotte vs UAB: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the American. UNC Charlotte graduates 5 points more of its students; UNC Charlotte graduates earn $2,788 more a decade out.
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 UNC Charlotte if…
- You would be in-state: UNC Charlotte is $1,618 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than UAB.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: UNC Charlotte graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than UAB.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: UNC Charlotte graduates earn about $2,788 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UNC Charlotte is $800 lower than at UAB.
Lean UAB if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at UAB against none listed at UNC Charlotte.
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 | UNC Charlotte | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,214 — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $8,832 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $21,876 | $21,864 |
| Room & board | $13,864 | $13,590 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,078 — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $22,422 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $35,740 | $35,454 |
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 | UNC Charlotte | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 68% — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 63% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $57,289/yr — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $54,501/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $22,300 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 38% — UNC Charlotte leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 41% |
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 | UNC Charlotte | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 80% | 88% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 30,298 | 21,160 |
| Where it is | Charlotte, NC | Birmingham, AL |
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 | UNC Charlotte | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 2 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Head coach | Courtney Breault | Megan Curry |
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 | UNC Charlotte | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed |
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
UNC Charlotte
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.
UNC Charlotte vs UAB: common questions
- Is UNC Charlotte or UAB cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $35,740 a year out of state 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, UNC Charlotte or UAB?
- UNC Charlotte, at 68% against 63% at UAB (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do UNC Charlotte and UAB 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 UNC Charlotte and UAB run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at UAB and none currently listed at UNC Charlotte. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at UNC Charlotte and UAB?
- 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 UNC Charlotte and UAB accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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