Grand Canyon vs UT Arlington: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Grand Canyon runs $11,630 less per year out of state; UT Arlington graduates 14 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 Grand Canyon if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Grand Canyon lists $11,630 less per year in tuition and housing than UT Arlington.
- You want to play in June: Grand Canyon has reached 5 more NCAA tournaments than UT Arlington since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 24 camps at Grand Canyon against none listed at UT Arlington.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Grand Canyon rates strong against solid at UT Arlington.
Lean UT Arlington if…
- You would be in-state: UT Arlington is $5,722 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Grand Canyon.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: UT Arlington graduates 14 percentage points more of its students than Grand Canyon.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: UT Arlington graduates earn about $21,013 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UT Arlington is $4,587 lower than at Grand Canyon.
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 | Grand Canyon | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $17,450 | $11,728 — UT Arlington leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $17,450 — Grand Canyon leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $29,660 |
| Room & board | $11,162 | $10,582 — UT Arlington leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,612 | $22,310 — UT Arlington 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. | $28,612 — Grand Canyon leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $40,242 |
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 | Grand Canyon | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 43% | 57% — UT Arlington leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $42,186/yr | $63,199/yr — UT Arlington leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,114 | $17,527 — UT Arlington 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. | 52% | 28% — UT Arlington 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 | Grand Canyon | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 79% | 80% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 107,563 | 43,992 |
| Where it is | Phoenix, AZ | Arlington, TX |
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 | Grand Canyon | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Mountain West | UAC |
| Conference level | High Major | Mid-Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| NCAA RPI | #27 | — |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Shanon Hays | Kara Dill |
| In the job since | 2020 | — |
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 | Grand Canyon | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 24 listed (24 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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. 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.
Grand Canyon
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- August Pre-Camp Pitching Session II08/22/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $50
- August Prospect Camp II08/22/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
- September Pre-Camp Pitching Session09/05/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $50
- September Prospect Camp09/05/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
UT Arlington
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.
Grand Canyon vs UT Arlington: common questions
- Is Grand Canyon or UT Arlington cheaper?
- On published price, Grand Canyon is cheaper — about $28,612 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $40,242 at UT Arlington. 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, Grand Canyon or UT Arlington?
- UT Arlington, at 57% against 43% at Grand Canyon (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Grand Canyon and UT Arlington 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?
- Grand Canyon rates very competitive against competitive at UT Arlington. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Grand Canyon and UT Arlington run softball camps?
- We track 24 camps at Grand Canyon and none currently listed at UT Arlington. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Grand Canyon and UT Arlington?
- UT Arlington runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Grand Canyon, 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 Grand Canyon and UT Arlington 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.
Start free