East Tennessee State vs USC Upstate: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. East Tennessee State runs $8,525 less per year out of state; East Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: East Tennessee State lists $8,525 less per year in tuition and housing than USC Upstate.
- You would be in-state: East Tennessee State is $1,633 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than USC Upstate.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: East Tennessee State graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than USC Upstate.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at East Tennessee State is $2,868 lower than at USC Upstate.
Lean USC Upstate if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: USC Upstate graduates earn about $3,728 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: USC Upstate has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than East Tennessee State since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: USC Upstate rates strong against solid at East Tennessee State.
- Your transcript is a strength: USC Upstate admits 67% 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 Tennessee State | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,950 — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $11,583 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $13,790 — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $22,545 |
| Room & board | $10,270 | $10,040 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,220 — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $21,623 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $24,060 — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $32,585 |
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 Tennessee State | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 50% — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 42% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,859/yr | $48,587/yr — USC Upstate leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,442 — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $22,310 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 43% — East Tennessee State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 46% |
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 Tennessee State | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 86% | 67% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 13,586 | 4,946 |
| Where it is | Johnson City, TN | Spartanburg, SC |
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 Tennessee State | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Southern | Big South |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Cheryl Milligan | Chris Hawkins |
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 Tennessee State | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
East Tennessee State
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.
USC Upstate
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.
East Tennessee State vs USC Upstate: common questions
- Is East Tennessee State or USC Upstate cheaper?
- On published price, East Tennessee State is cheaper — about $24,060 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $32,585 at USC Upstate. 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 Tennessee State or USC Upstate?
- East Tennessee State, at 50% against 42% at USC Upstate (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do East Tennessee State and USC Upstate 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 East Tennessee State and USC Upstate?
- 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 Tennessee State and USC Upstate accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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