Houston vs UT Arlington: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Houston runs $7,221 less per year out of state; Houston graduates 8 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 $7,221 less per year in tuition and housing than UT Arlington.
- You would be in-state: Houston is $2,017 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than UT Arlington.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Houston graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than UT Arlington.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Houston against none listed at UT Arlington.
Lean UT Arlington if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UT Arlington is $667 lower than at Houston.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: UT Arlington rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Houston.
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 | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,711 — Houston leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $11,728 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $22,191 — Houston leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $29,660 |
| Room & board | $10,830 | $10,582 |
| 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 | $22,310 |
| 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 | $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 | Houston | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 65% — Houston leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 57% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,377/yr | $63,199/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,194 | $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. | 29% | 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 | Houston | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 74% | 80% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 46,676 | 43,992 |
| Where it is | Houston, TX | 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 | Houston | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big 12 | UAC |
| Conference level | Power Conference | Mid-Major |
| 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. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Chrissy Schoonmaker | Kara Dill |
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 | UT Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | — |
| 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.
Houston
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
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.
Houston vs UT Arlington: common questions
- Is Houston or UT Arlington cheaper?
- On published price, Houston is cheaper — about $33,021 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, Houston or UT Arlington?
- Houston, at 65% against 57% at UT Arlington (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Houston 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?
- Houston 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 Houston and UT Arlington run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Houston 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 Houston and UT Arlington?
- UT Arlington runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Houston, 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 Houston and UT Arlington accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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