Georgia State vs NC State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Georgia State runs $5,449 less per year out of state; NC State graduates 31 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 Georgia State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Georgia State lists $5,449 less per year in tuition and housing than NC State.
- You would be in-state: Georgia State is $417 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than NC State.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Georgia State rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at NC State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Georgia State admits 55% of applicants.
Lean NC State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: NC State graduates 31 percentage points more of its students than Georgia State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: NC State graduates earn about $21,374 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at NC State is $782 lower than at Georgia State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 9 camps at NC State against none listed at Georgia State.
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 | Georgia State | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,478 — Georgia State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $8,895 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $23,709 — Georgia State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $31,767 |
| Room & board | $16,328 | $13,719 — NC State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $24,806 | $22,614 — NC State 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. | $40,037 — Georgia State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $45,486 |
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 | Georgia State | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% | 85% — NC State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $47,384/yr | $68,758/yr — NC State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,903 | $20,121 — NC 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. | 44% | 29% — NC State 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 | Georgia State | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 55% | 42% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 34,974 | 37,323 |
| Where it is | Atlanta, GA | Raleigh, NC |
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 | Georgia State | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt | ACC |
| Conference level | High Major | Power Conference |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Becca Owens | Lindsay Leftwich |
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 | Georgia State | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 9 listed |
| 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.
Georgia 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.
Georgia State vs NC State: common questions
- Is Georgia State or NC State cheaper?
- On published price, Georgia State is cheaper — about $40,037 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $45,486 at NC 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, Georgia State or NC State?
- NC State, at 85% against 54% at Georgia State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Georgia State and NC 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- NC State rates very competitive against competitive at Georgia State. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Georgia State and NC State run softball camps?
- We track 9 camps at NC State and none currently listed at Georgia State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Georgia State and NC 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 Georgia State and NC State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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