Middle Tennessee State vs South Alabama: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. South Alabama runs $13,264 less per year out of state.
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 want to leave with less owed: median debt at Middle Tennessee State is $4,929 lower than at South Alabama.
Lean South Alabama if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: South Alabama lists $13,264 less per year in tuition and housing than Middle Tennessee State.
- You want to play in June: South Alabama has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Middle Tennessee State since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at South Alabama against 1 at Middle Tennessee State.
- You want the stronger program on paper: South Alabama rates strong against solid at Middle Tennessee State.
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 | South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,506 | $9,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $29,042 | $18,652 — South Alabama leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,704 | $8,830 — South Alabama 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 | $18,506 — South Alabama 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 | $27,482 — South Alabama 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 | South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% | 53% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,541/yr | $49,379/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $24,929 |
| 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 | 50% |
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 | South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 69% | 71% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 20,183 | 13,768 |
| Where it is | Murfreesboro, TN | Mobile, AL |
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 | South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CUSA | Sun Belt |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | — | #39 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Jeff Breeden | Becky Clark |
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 | South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 3 listed (3 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.
Middle Tennessee State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- College Exposure Camp II08/15/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $200
South Alabama
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- August Elite Hitting Camp08/21/2026 · 7th Grade - College Sophomore · $75 - $95
- August Elite Pitching Camp08/21/2026 · 7th Grade - College Sophomore · $60 - $80
- August Elite Prospect Camp08/22/2026 · 7th Grade - College Sophomore · $175 - $195
Middle Tennessee State vs South Alabama: common questions
- Is Middle Tennessee State or South Alabama cheaper?
- On published price, South Alabama is cheaper — about $27,482 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 South Alabama?
- Middle Tennessee State, at 54% against 53% at South Alabama (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Middle Tennessee State and South Alabama 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 South Alabama run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Middle Tennessee State and 3 at South Alabama. 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 South Alabama?
- 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 Middle Tennessee State and South Alabama 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