McNeese State vs Tennessee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. McNeese State runs $11,848 less per year out of state; McNeese State graduates 19 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 McNeese State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: McNeese State lists $11,848 less per year in tuition and housing than Tennessee State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: McNeese State graduates 19 percentage points more of its students than Tennessee State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: McNeese State graduates earn about $3,723 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at McNeese State is $4,000 lower than at Tennessee State.
Lean Tennessee State if…
- On the figures we hold, Tennessee State does not lead McNeese State on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
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 | McNeese State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $8,460 | $8,568 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $9,960 — McNeese State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $22,284 |
| Room & board | $10,596 | $10,120 — Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $19,056 | $18,688 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,556 — McNeese State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $32,404 |
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 | McNeese State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 52% — McNeese State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 33% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $46,453/yr — McNeese State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $42,730/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 — McNeese State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $27,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 50% — McNeese State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 63% |
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 | McNeese State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 70% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,060 | 8,198 |
| Where it is | Lake Charles, LA | Nashville, 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 | McNeese State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Southland | Ohio Valley |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| NCAA RPI | #32 | — |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Head coach | James Landreneau | Genee McRath |
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 | McNeese State | 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.
McNeese State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- August Prospect Camp08/15/2026 · 9th - 12th Grade as of Fall 2026 · 2027 - 2030
Tennessee 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.
McNeese State vs Tennessee State: common questions
- Is McNeese State or Tennessee State cheaper?
- On published price, McNeese State is cheaper — about $20,556 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $32,404 at 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, McNeese State or Tennessee State?
- McNeese State, at 52% against 33% at Tennessee State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do McNeese State and 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.
- Do McNeese State and Tennessee State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at McNeese State and none currently listed at Tennessee State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at McNeese State and 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 McNeese State and Tennessee State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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