Grayson vs Midland: Softball Program Comparison
Two JUCO programs. Midland runs $1,290 less per year out of state; Grayson graduates 3 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 Grayson if…
- You would be in-state: Grayson is $540 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Midland.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Grayson graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Midland.
Lean Midland if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Midland lists $1,290 less per year in tuition and housing than Grayson.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Midland graduates earn about $3,085 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Midland is $1,580 lower than at Grayson.
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 | Grayson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $4,230 — Grayson leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $4,770 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $5,850 | $6,030 |
| Room & board | $7,470 | $6,000 — Midland leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $11,700 | $10,770 — Midland 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. | $13,320 | $12,030 — Midland 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 | Grayson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 20% — Grayson leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 17% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $40,873/yr | $43,958/yr — Midland leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $12,250 | $10,670 — Midland 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. | 30% | 24% — Midland 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 | Grayson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,176 | 5,219 |
| Where it is | Denison, TX | Midland, 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 | Grayson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NTJCAC | WJCAC |
| Head coach | Mike McBrayer | Olivia Garza |
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.
Grayson
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.
Midland
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.
Grayson vs Midland: common questions
- Is Grayson or Midland cheaper?
- On published price, Midland is cheaper — about $12,030 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $13,320 at Grayson. 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, Grayson or Midland?
- Grayson, at 20% against 17% at Midland (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Grayson and Midland 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.
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 Grayson and Midland accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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