Kansas vs Nebraska: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Nebraska lists $1,848 less in out-of-state tuition; Kansas graduates earn $5,058 more a decade out.
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 Kansas if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Kansas graduates earn about $5,058 more per year a decade after enrolling.
Lean Nebraska if…
- You would be in-state: Nebraska is $1,668 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Kansas.
- You want to play in June: Nebraska has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Kansas since 2021.
- Academic reputation is part of the decision: U.S. News ranks Nebraska #62 against #90 for Kansas.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Nebraska rates elite against strong at Kansas.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Kansas | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $12,102 | $10,434 — Nebraska leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $30,432 | $28,584 — Nebraska leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $10,818 — Kansas leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,856 |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $22,920 — Kansas leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $24,290 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $41,250 | $42,440 |
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 | Kansas | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 69% | 67% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $61,945/yr — Kansas leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $56,887/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 | $21,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 34% — Kansas leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 37% |
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 | Kansas | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | 87% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #90 | #62 — Nebraska leads on this measure: ranked higher by U.S. News |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 28,406 | 23,986 |
| Where it is | Lawrence, KS | Lincoln, NE |
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 | Kansas | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Big 12 | Big Ten |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 4 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) |
| NCAA RPI | #48 | #2 — Nebraska leads on this measure: ranked higher in the NCAA RPI |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Elite |
| Head coach | Jennifer McFalls | Rhonda Revelle |
| In the job since | 2017 | 2002 |
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 | Kansas | Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Kansas
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.
Nebraska
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.
Kansas vs Nebraska: common questions
- Is Kansas or Nebraska cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $41,250 a year out of state in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Kansas or Nebraska?
- Kansas, at 69% against 67% at Nebraska (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Kansas and Nebraska 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 Kansas and Nebraska?
- 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.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Kansas and Nebraska accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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