Jackson State vs Tennessee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Jackson State runs $10,512 less per year out of state; Tennessee State graduates 1 point 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 Jackson State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Jackson State lists $10,512 less per year in tuition and housing than Tennessee State.
- You want to play in June: Jackson State has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Tennessee State since 2021.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Jackson State admits 93% of applicants.
Lean Tennessee State if…
- You would be in-state: Tennessee State is $522 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Jackson State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Tennessee State graduates 1 percentage points more of its students than Jackson State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Tennessee State graduates earn about $3,670 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Tennessee State is $3,470 lower than at Jackson State.
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 | Jackson State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,090 | $8,568 — Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $10,110 — Jackson State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $22,284 |
| Room & board | $11,782 | $10,120 — Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,872 | $18,688 — Tennessee 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. | $21,892 — Jackson State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $32,404 |
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 | Jackson State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 32% | 33% — Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $39,060/yr | $42,730/yr — Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $30,470 | $27,000 — Tennessee 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. | 78% | 63% — Tennessee State 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 | Jackson State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | 70% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,564 | 8,198 |
| Where it is | Jackson, MS | Nashville, TN |
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 | Jackson State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | SWAC | Ohio Valley |
| Conference level | Low Major | Mid-Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 2 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Kevin Montgomery | Genee McRath |
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 | Jackson State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Jackson State
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.
Tennessee State
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.
Jackson State vs Tennessee State: common questions
- Is Jackson State or Tennessee State cheaper?
- On published price, Jackson State is cheaper — about $21,892 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $32,404 at Tennessee 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, Jackson State or Tennessee State?
- Tennessee State, at 33% against 32% at Jackson State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Jackson State and Tennessee 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Jackson State and Tennessee State?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
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 Jackson State and Tennessee State 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