Clemson vs James Madison: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. James Madison runs $8,996 less per year out of state; Clemson graduates 7 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…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Clemson graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than James Madison.
- You want to play in June: Clemson has reached 5 more NCAA tournaments than James Madison since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Clemson rates strong against solid at James Madison.
- Your transcript is a strength: Clemson admits 38% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean James Madison if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: James Madison lists $8,996 less per year in tuition and housing than Clemson.
- You would be in-state: James Madison is $1,978 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Clemson.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at James Madison is $1,407 lower than at Clemson.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at James Madison against none listed at Clemson.
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 | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $15,554 | $13,576 — James Madison leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $39,498 | $30,790 — James Madison leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $12,872 | $12,584 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,426 | $26,160 — James Madison 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 | $43,374 — James Madison 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 | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 88% — Clemson leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 81% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $71,513/yr | $69,954/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 | $20,093 — James Madison leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 30% | 29% — James Madison 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 | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 38% | 72% |
| 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 | 22,758 |
| Where it is | Clemson, SC | Harrisonburg, VA |
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 | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ACC | Sun Belt |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 6 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) |
| NCAA RPI | #21 | — |
| 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 | John Rittman | Loren LaPorte |
| In the job since | 2017 | — |
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 | James Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 3 listed (3 with dates) |
| 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.
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.
James Madison
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Day with the Dukes Camp (Includes Lunch)09/19/2026 · $91.00 · Register
- Day with the Dukes - LUNCH ONLY (No Camp)09/19/2026 · $38.00 · Register
- August Prospect Camp08/23/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $215
Clemson vs James Madison: common questions
- Is Clemson or James Madison cheaper?
- On published price, James Madison is cheaper — about $43,374 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 James Madison?
- Clemson, at 88% against 81% at James Madison (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Clemson and James Madison 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?
- Clemson rates very competitive against competitive at James Madison. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Clemson and James Madison run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at James Madison and none currently listed at Clemson. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Clemson and James Madison?
- 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 James Madison accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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