Jackson State vs Maryland Eastern Shore: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Jackson State runs $8,472 less per year out of state; Maryland Eastern Shore 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 Jackson State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Jackson State lists $8,472 less per year in tuition and housing than Maryland Eastern Shore.
- You want to play in June: Jackson State has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Maryland Eastern Shore since 2021.
Lean Maryland Eastern Shore if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Maryland Eastern Shore graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Jackson State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Maryland Eastern Shore graduates earn about $8,637 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Maryland Eastern Shore is $3,470 lower than at Jackson State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Maryland Eastern Shore against none listed 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 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,090 | $8,898 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $10,110 — Jackson State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $19,728 |
| Room & board | $11,782 | $10,636 — Maryland Eastern Shore 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 | $19,534 — Maryland Eastern Shore 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 | $30,364 |
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 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 32% | 35% — Maryland Eastern Shore leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $39,060/yr | $47,697/yr — Maryland Eastern Shore leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $30,470 | $27,000 — Maryland Eastern Shore 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% | 57% — Maryland Eastern Shore 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 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,564 | 2,844 |
| Where it is | Jackson, MS | Princess Anne, MD |
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 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | SWAC | MEAC |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 2 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Kevin Montgomery | Aaron Robinson |
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 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed |
| 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. 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.
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.
Maryland Eastern Shore
Open the recruiting questionnaireJackson State vs Maryland Eastern Shore: common questions
- Is Jackson State or Maryland Eastern Shore cheaper?
- On published price, Jackson State is cheaper — about $21,892 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $30,364 at Maryland Eastern Shore. 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 Maryland Eastern Shore?
- Maryland Eastern Shore, at 35% against 32% at Jackson State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Jackson State and Maryland Eastern Shore 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 Jackson State and Maryland Eastern Shore run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Maryland Eastern Shore and none currently listed at Jackson State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Jackson State and Maryland Eastern Shore?
- 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 Maryland Eastern Shore accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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