Louisiana vs Middle Tennessee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Louisiana runs $4,612 less per year out of state; Middle Tennessee State graduates 2 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 Louisiana if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Louisiana lists $4,612 less per year in tuition and housing than Middle Tennessee State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Louisiana graduates earn about $14,727 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Louisiana has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Middle Tennessee State since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Louisiana rates strong against solid at Middle Tennessee State.
Lean Middle Tennessee State if…
- You would be in-state: Middle Tennessee State is $912 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Louisiana.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Middle Tennessee State graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than Louisiana.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Middle Tennessee State against none listed at Louisiana.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Middle Tennessee State rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Louisiana.
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 | Louisiana | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,418 | $9,506 — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $24,146 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $29,042 |
| Room & board | $11,988 | $11,704 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,406 | $21,210 — Middle Tennessee 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. | $36,134 — Louisiana leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $40,746 |
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 | Louisiana | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 52% | 54% — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $63,268/yr — Louisiana leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,541/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 | $20,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 32% — Louisiana leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 41% |
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 | Louisiana | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 14% | 69% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 15,345 | 20,183 |
| Where it is | Lafayette, LA | Murfreesboro, 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 | Louisiana | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt | CUSA |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Alyson Habetz | Jeff Breeden |
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 | Louisiana | Middle Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 1 listed (1 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.
Louisiana
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.
Middle Tennessee State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- College Exposure Camp II08/15/2026 · 7th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · $217.00
Louisiana vs Middle Tennessee State: common questions
- Is Louisiana or Middle Tennessee State cheaper?
- On published price, Louisiana is cheaper — about $36,134 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $40,746 at Middle Tennessee 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, Louisiana or Middle Tennessee State?
- Middle Tennessee State, at 54% against 52% at Louisiana (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Louisiana and Middle Tennessee 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Louisiana rates very competitive against competitive at Middle Tennessee State. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Louisiana and Middle Tennessee State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Middle Tennessee State and none currently listed at Louisiana. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Louisiana and Middle Tennessee 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 Louisiana and Middle Tennessee State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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