Clemson vs Georgia Tech: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the ACC. Georgia Tech runs $6,734 less per year out of state; Georgia Tech 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 Clemson if…
- You want to play in June: Clemson has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Georgia Tech since 2021.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Clemson admits 38% of applicants.
Lean Georgia Tech if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Georgia Tech lists $6,734 less per year in tuition and housing than Clemson.
- You would be in-state: Georgia Tech is $3,790 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Clemson.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Georgia Tech graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than Clemson.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Georgia Tech graduates earn about $31,259 more per year a decade after enrolling.
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 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $15,554 | $11,764 — Georgia Tech leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $39,498 | $32,876 — Georgia Tech leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $12,872 | $12,760 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,426 | $24,524 — Georgia Tech 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. | $52,370 | $45,636 — Georgia Tech 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 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 88% | 92% — Georgia Tech leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $71,513/yr | $102,772/yr — Georgia Tech leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 | $21,672 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 30% | 21% — Georgia Tech 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 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 38% | 14% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #50 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 28,747 | 47,946 |
| Where it is | Clemson, SC | Atlanta, GA |
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 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 6 of the last 6 tournaments | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | #21 — Clemson leads on this measure: ranked higher in the NCAA RPI | #37 |
| Head coach | John Rittman | Aileen Morales |
| In the job since | 2017 | 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 | Clemson | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Clemson
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.
Georgia Tech
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.
Clemson vs Georgia Tech: common questions
- Is Clemson or Georgia Tech cheaper?
- On published price, Georgia Tech is cheaper — about $45,636 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $52,370 at Clemson. 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, Clemson or Georgia Tech?
- Georgia Tech, at 92% against 88% at Clemson (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Clemson and Georgia Tech 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 Clemson and Georgia Tech?
- 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 Clemson and Georgia Tech accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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