Marshall vs Murray State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Murray State runs $2,764 less per year out of state; Murray State graduates 10 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 Marshall if…
- You would be in-state: Marshall is $738 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Murray State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Marshall graduates earn about $1,617 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Marshall admits 96% of applicants.
Lean Murray State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Murray State lists $2,764 less per year in tuition and housing than Marshall.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Murray State graduates 10 percentage points more of its students than Marshall.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Murray State is $2,750 lower than at Marshall.
- Your transcript is a strength: Murray State admits 86% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Marshall | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,162 — Marshall leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $9,900 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $20,342 | $19,836 |
| Room & board | $12,852 | $10,594 — Murray State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $22,014 | $20,494 — Murray 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. | $33,194 | $30,430 — Murray 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 | Marshall | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 51% | 61% — Murray State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $46,354/yr — Marshall leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $44,737/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 | $20,500 — Murray State 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. | 50% | 46% — Murray State 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 | Marshall | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 96% | 86% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 11,027 | 9,841 |
| Where it is | Huntington, WV | Murray, KY |
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 | Marshall | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Sun Belt | Missouri Valley |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | #29 | — |
| Head coach | Morgan Zerkle | Kara Amundson |
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 | Marshall | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Marshall
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.
Murray State
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.
Marshall vs Murray State: common questions
- Is Marshall or Murray State cheaper?
- On published price, Murray State is cheaper — about $30,430 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $33,194 at Marshall. 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, Marshall or Murray State?
- Murray State, at 61% against 51% at Marshall (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Marshall and Murray 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Marshall and Murray 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.
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 Marshall and Murray State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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