Kennesaw State vs USF: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. USF graduates 27 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 Kennesaw State if…
- You would be in-state: Kennesaw State is $624 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than USF.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Kennesaw State against none listed at USF.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Kennesaw State rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at USF.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Kennesaw State admits 69% of applicants.
Lean USF if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: USF graduates 27 percentage points more of its students than Kennesaw State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at USF is $5,845 lower than at Kennesaw State.
- You want to play in June: USF has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Kennesaw State since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: USF rates strong against solid at Kennesaw 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 | Kennesaw State | USF |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $5,786 — Kennesaw State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $6,410 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $17,040 | $17,324 |
| Room & board | $13,027 — Kennesaw State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,595 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $18,813 — Kennesaw State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,005 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $30,067 | $30,919 |
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 | Kennesaw State | USF |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 48% | 75% — USF leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $57,552/yr | $57,743/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,833 | $17,988 — USF 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. | 41% | 31% — USF 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 | Kennesaw State | USF |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 69% | 43% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 45,069 | 48,572 |
| Where it is | Kennesaw, GA | Tampa, FL |
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 | Kennesaw State | USF |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CUSA | American |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 4 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | — | #36 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Selena Collins-Patterson | Ken Eriksen |
| In the job since | — | 2016 |
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 | Kennesaw State | USF |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | — |
| 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.
USF
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Kennesaw State vs USF: common questions
- Is Kennesaw State or USF cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $30,067 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, Kennesaw State or USF?
- USF, at 75% against 48% at Kennesaw State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Kennesaw State and USF 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- USF rates very competitive against competitive at Kennesaw State. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Kennesaw State and USF run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Kennesaw State and none currently listed at USF. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Kennesaw State and USF?
- Kennesaw State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For USF, 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 Kennesaw State and USF accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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