Jacksonville State vs North Alabama: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. North Alabama runs $1,520 less per year out of state; North Alabama 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 Jacksonville State if…
- You want to play in June: Jacksonville State has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than North Alabama since 2021.
Lean North Alabama if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: North Alabama lists $1,520 less per year in tuition and housing than Jacksonville State.
- You would be in-state: North Alabama is $436 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Jacksonville State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: North Alabama graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Jacksonville State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at North Alabama against 1 at Jacksonville 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 | Jacksonville State | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $12,426 | $11,990 — North Alabama leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $22,716 | $22,190 |
| Room & board | $8,894 | $7,900 — North Alabama leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,320 | $19,890 — North Alabama 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. | $31,610 | $30,090 — North Alabama 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 | Jacksonville State | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 51% | 54% — North Alabama leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $45,235/yr | $45,415/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,189 | $22,077 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 49% | 49% |
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 | Jacksonville State | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 87% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 9,672 | 10,059 |
| Where it is | Jacksonville, AL | Florence, AL |
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 | Jacksonville State | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CUSA | UAC |
| Conference level | High Major | Mid-Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Julie Boland | Ashley Cozart |
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 | Jacksonville State | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 2 listed (2 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
Jacksonville State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | August 23rd08/23/2026 · 9th Grade - 12th Grade · $250
North Alabama
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- August Elite Camp 108/08/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $120
- August Elite Camp 208/22/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $120
Jacksonville State vs North Alabama: common questions
- Is Jacksonville State or North Alabama cheaper?
- On published price, North Alabama is cheaper — about $30,090 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $31,610 at Jacksonville 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, Jacksonville State or North Alabama?
- North Alabama, at 54% against 51% at Jacksonville State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Jacksonville State and North Alabama 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 Jacksonville State and North Alabama run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Jacksonville State and 2 at North Alabama. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Jacksonville State and North Alabama?
- Jacksonville State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For North Alabama, 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 Jacksonville State and North Alabama accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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