Kentucky vs Mississippi State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the SEC. Mississippi State runs $9,775 less per year out of state; Kentucky graduates 7 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 Kentucky if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Kentucky graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Mississippi State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Kentucky graduates earn about $7,512 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Kentucky rates elite against strong at Mississippi State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Kentucky admits 93% of applicants.
Lean Mississippi State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Mississippi State lists $9,775 less per year in tuition and housing than Kentucky.
- You would be in-state: Mississippi State is $3,397 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Kentucky.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Mississippi State against none listed at Kentucky.
- Your transcript is a strength: Mississippi State admits 78% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Kentucky | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $13,212 | $9,815 — Mississippi State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $33,406 | $26,580 — Mississippi State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $15,242 | $12,293 — Mississippi State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $28,454 | $22,108 — Mississippi State 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. | $48,648 | $38,873 — Mississippi State 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 | Kentucky | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 70% — Kentucky leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 63% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $59,025/yr — Kentucky leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $51,513/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 | $22,142 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 38% — Kentucky leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 43% |
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 | Kentucky | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 93% | 78% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #86 | — |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 32,703 | 22,657 |
| Where it is | Lexington, KY | Mississippi State, MS |
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 | Kentucky | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments | 5 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) |
| NCAA RPI | #45 | — |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Elite | Strong |
| Head coach | Rachel Lawson | Samantha Ricketts |
| In the job since | 2008 | — |
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 | Kentucky | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed (2 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.
Kentucky
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.
Mississippi State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Elite Camp | August 22nd08/22/2026 · 8th - 12th · $162.50
- Elite Camp | August 23rd08/23/2026 · 8th - 12th · $162.50
Kentucky vs Mississippi State: common questions
- Is Kentucky or Mississippi State cheaper?
- On published price, Mississippi State is cheaper — about $38,873 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $48,648 at Kentucky. 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, Kentucky or Mississippi State?
- Kentucky, at 70% against 63% at Mississippi State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Kentucky and Mississippi State 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 Kentucky and Mississippi State run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Mississippi State and none currently listed at Kentucky. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Kentucky and Mississippi State?
- 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 Kentucky and Mississippi State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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