Gaston vs South Florida State: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs. Gaston lists $2,529 less in out-of-state tuition; South Florida State graduates earn $4,604 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 Gaston if…
- On the figures we hold, Gaston does not lead South Florida State on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
Lean South Florida State if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: South Florida State graduates earn about $4,604 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 | Gaston | South Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $3,186 | $3,165 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $9,330 — Gaston leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $11,859 |
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 | Gaston | South Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 51% | 51% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $35,386/yr | $39,990/yr — South Florida State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $7,368 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 18% |
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 | Gaston | South Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 5,871 | 2,976 |
| Where it is | Dallas, NC | Avon Park, FL |
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 | Gaston | South Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Region 10 | FCSAA |
| Head coach | Michael Steuerwald | Carlos Falla III |
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 | Gaston | South Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | — |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges), so the scholarship rules are identical: varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
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.
Gaston
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.
South Florida State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Gaston vs South Florida State: common questions
- Which school graduates more of its students, Gaston or South Florida State?
- Both report a 51% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Gaston and South Florida State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at JUCO (NJCAA & community colleges): varies by njcaa division. Scholarship availability at junior colleges varies by NJCAA division — some can offer full athletic scholarships, some offer tuition-level aid, and NJCAA Division III offers no athletic aid.
- How do I contact the coaches at Gaston and South Florida State?
- Gaston runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For South Florida State, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Gaston and South Florida State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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