James Madison vs Memphis: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Memphis runs $18,246 less per year out of state; James Madison graduates 32 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 James Madison if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: James Madison graduates 32 percentage points more of its students than Memphis.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: James Madison graduates earn about $21,496 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at James Madison is $3,207 lower than at Memphis.
- You want to play in June: James Madison has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Memphis since 2021.
Lean Memphis if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Memphis lists $18,246 less per year in tuition and housing than James Madison.
- You would be in-state: Memphis is $3,232 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than James Madison.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 6 camps at Memphis against 3 at James Madison.
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 | James Madison | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $13,576 | $10,344 — Memphis leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $30,790 | $14,784 — Memphis leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $12,584 | $10,344 — Memphis leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $26,160 | $20,688 — Memphis 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. | $43,374 | $25,128 — Memphis 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 | James Madison | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 81% — James Madison leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 49% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $69,954/yr — James Madison leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,458/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,093 — James Madison leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $23,300 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 29% — James Madison leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 48% |
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 | James Madison | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 72% | 72% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 22,758 | 21,736 |
| Where it is | Harrisonburg, VA | Memphis, 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 | James Madison | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt | American |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Loren LaPorte | Trena Prater |
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 | James Madison | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 3 listed (3 with dates) | 6 listed (6 with dates) |
| 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.
James Madison
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- August Prospect Camp08/23/2026 · $235.00 · Wait List
- Day with the Dukes Camp (Includes Lunch)09/19/2026 · $91.00 · Register
- Day with the Dukes - LUNCH ONLY (No Camp)09/19/2026 · $38.00 · Register
Memphis
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Monday Mini Clinic 106/08/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $137.50
- Monday Mini Clinic 206/15/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $137.50
- Monday Mini Clinic 306/22/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $137.50
- September Prospect Camp09/06/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $305.00
James Madison vs Memphis: common questions
- Is James Madison or Memphis cheaper?
- On published price, Memphis is cheaper — about $25,128 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $43,374 at James Madison. 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, James Madison or Memphis?
- James Madison, at 81% against 49% at Memphis (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do James Madison and Memphis 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 James Madison and Memphis run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 3 at James Madison and 6 at Memphis. 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 James Madison and Memphis?
- 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 James Madison and Memphis accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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