Houston vs Texas State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Houston runs $2,459 less per year out of state; Houston graduates 9 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 Houston if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Houston lists $2,459 less per year in tuition and housing than Texas State.
- You would be in-state: Houston is $1,739 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Texas State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Houston graduates 9 percentage points more of its students than Texas State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Houston graduates earn about $5,471 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Texas State if…
- You want to play in June: Texas State has reached 4 more NCAA tournaments than Houston since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Texas State rates strong against solid at Houston.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Texas State admits 89% 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 | Houston | Texas State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,711 — Houston leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $11,450 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $22,191 — Houston leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $23,210 |
| Room & board | $10,830 — Houston leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,270 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,541 — Houston leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $23,720 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $33,021 — Houston leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $35,480 |
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 | Houston | Texas State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 65% — Houston leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 56% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,377/yr — Houston leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $56,906/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,194 — Houston leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $21,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 29% — Houston leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 37% |
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 | Houston | Texas State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 74% | 89% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 46,676 | 38,722 |
| Where it is | Houston, TX | San Marcos, 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 | Houston | Texas State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big 12 | Sun Belt |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 4 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Chrissy Schoonmaker | Ricci Woodard |
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 | Houston | Texas State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | — |
| 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.
Houston
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
Texas 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.
Houston vs Texas State: common questions
- Is Houston or Texas State cheaper?
- On published price, Houston is cheaper — about $33,021 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $35,480 at Texas 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, Houston or Texas State?
- Houston, at 65% against 56% at Texas State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Houston and Texas 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.
- Do Houston and Texas State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Houston and none currently listed at Texas State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
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 Houston and Texas State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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