Middle Tennessee State vs Murray State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Murray State runs $10,700 less per year out of state; Murray State graduates 6 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 Middle Tennessee State if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Middle Tennessee State graduates earn about $3,804 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Middle Tennessee State admits 69% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Murray State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Murray State lists $10,700 less per year in tuition and housing than Middle Tennessee State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Murray State graduates 6 percentage points more of its students than Middle Tennessee State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Murray State against 1 at Middle Tennessee State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Murray State admits 86% of applicants.
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 | Middle Tennessee State | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,506 | $9,708 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $29,042 | $19,452 — Murray State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,704 | $10,594 — Murray State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,210 | $20,302 — 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. | $40,746 | $30,046 — 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 | Middle Tennessee State | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% | 60% — Murray State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,541/yr — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $44,737/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 | $20,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 41% — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 46% |
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 | Middle Tennessee State | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 69% | 86% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 20,183 | 9,841 |
| Where it is | Murfreesboro, TN | 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 | Middle Tennessee State | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CUSA | 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 |
| Head coach | Jeff Breeden | 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 | Middle Tennessee State | Murray State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 3 listed (3 with dates) |
| 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.
Middle Tennessee State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- College Exposure Camp II08/15/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
Murray State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Elite Camp | August 9th08/09/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $230
- Elite Camp | August 16th08/16/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $230
- Elite Camp | September 5th09/05/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $230
Middle Tennessee State vs Murray State: common questions
- Is Middle Tennessee State or Murray State cheaper?
- On published price, Murray State is cheaper — about $30,046 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, Middle Tennessee State or Murray State?
- Murray State, at 60% against 54% at Middle Tennessee State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Middle Tennessee State 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.
- Do Middle Tennessee State and Murray State run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Middle Tennessee State and 3 at Murray State. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Middle Tennessee State and Murray State?
- Middle Tennessee State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Murray State, 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 Middle Tennessee State and Murray State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
Start free