East Carolina vs Middle Tennessee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. East Carolina runs $6,108 less per year out of state; East Carolina 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 East Carolina if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: East Carolina lists $6,108 less per year in tuition and housing than Middle Tennessee State.
- You would be in-state: East Carolina is $2,145 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: East Carolina graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than Middle Tennessee State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: East Carolina graduates earn about $6,605 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Middle Tennessee State if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Middle Tennessee State is $2,750 lower than at East Carolina.
- You want to play in June: Middle Tennessee State has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than East Carolina since 2021.
- Your transcript is a strength: Middle Tennessee State admits 69% 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 | East Carolina | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,361 — East Carolina leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $9,506 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $23,638 — East Carolina leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $29,042 |
| Room & board | $11,000 — East Carolina leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,704 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,361 — East Carolina leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $21,210 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $34,638 — East Carolina leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $40,746 |
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 | East Carolina | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 62% — East Carolina leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 54% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $55,146/yr — East Carolina leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,541/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,750 | $20,000 — Middle Tennessee State 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. | 41% | 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 | East Carolina | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 69% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 26,785 | 20,183 |
| Where it is | Greenville, NC | Murfreesboro, TN |
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 | East Carolina | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | American | CUSA |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Shane Winkler | Jeff Breeden |
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 | East Carolina | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (1 with dates) | 1 listed (1 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.
East Carolina
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- ELITE PROSPECT CAMP
- Elite Prospect Camp09/20/2026 · 8th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · See Prices
Middle Tennessee State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- College Exposure Camp II08/15/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $217.00
East Carolina vs Middle Tennessee State: common questions
- Is East Carolina or Middle Tennessee State cheaper?
- On published price, East Carolina is cheaper — about $34,638 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $40,746 at Middle Tennessee 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, East Carolina or Middle Tennessee State?
- East Carolina, at 62% against 54% at Middle Tennessee State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State 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 East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 2 at East Carolina and 1 at Middle Tennessee State. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State?
- 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 East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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