Grambling State vs Mississippi Valley State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the SWAC. Mississippi Valley State runs $11,672 less per year out of state; Grambling State graduates 10 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 Grambling State if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Grambling State graduates 10 percentage points more of its students than Mississippi Valley State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Grambling State graduates earn about $9,190 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Grambling State admits 45% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Mississippi Valley State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Mississippi Valley State lists $11,672 less per year in tuition and housing than Grambling State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Mississippi Valley State is $8,087 lower than at Grambling State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Mississippi Valley State admits 92% of applicants.
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 | Grambling State | Mississippi Valley State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,683 | $7,912 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,706 | $7,912 — Mississippi Valley State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $10,990 | $8,112 — Mississippi Valley State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,673 | $16,024 — Mississippi Valley 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. | $27,696 | $16,024 — Mississippi Valley State 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 | Grambling State | Mississippi Valley State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 32% — Grambling State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 22% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $41,109/yr — Grambling State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $31,919/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $36,500 | $28,413 — Mississippi Valley 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. | 89% | 89% |
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 | Grambling State | Mississippi Valley State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 45% | 92% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 5,114 | 2,196 |
| Where it is | Grambling, LA | Itta Bena, MS |
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 | Grambling State | Mississippi Valley State |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | D'Maria Matthews | Taliyah Riddick-Waters |
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.
Grambling 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.
Mississippi Valley 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.
Grambling State vs Mississippi Valley State: common questions
- Is Grambling State or Mississippi Valley State cheaper?
- On published price, Mississippi Valley State is cheaper — about $16,024 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $27,696 at Grambling 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, Grambling State or Mississippi Valley State?
- Grambling State, at 32% against 22% at Mississippi Valley State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Grambling State and Mississippi Valley 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.
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 Grambling State and Mississippi Valley State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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