Middle Tennessee State vs Western Kentucky: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the CUSA. Western Kentucky runs $1,703 less per year out of state; Middle Tennessee State graduates earn $4,652 more a decade out.
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 would be in-state: Middle Tennessee State is $1,930 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Western Kentucky.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Middle Tennessee State graduates earn about $4,652 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Middle Tennessee State is $2,095 lower than at Western Kentucky.
- Your transcript is a strength: Middle Tennessee State admits 69% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Western Kentucky if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Western Kentucky lists $1,703 less per year in tuition and housing than Middle Tennessee State.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Western Kentucky against 1 at Middle Tennessee State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Western Kentucky admits 94% 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 | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,506 — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $11,436 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $29,042 | $27,000 — Western Kentucky leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,704 | $12,043 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $21,210 — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $23,479 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $40,746 | $39,043 — Western Kentucky 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 | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% | 54% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,541/yr — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $43,889/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 — Middle Tennessee State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $22,095 |
| 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 | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 69% | 94% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 20,183 | 16,759 |
| Where it is | Murfreesboro, TN | Bowling Green, 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 | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | #50 |
| Head coach | Jeff Breeden | Amy Tudor |
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 | Western Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | 3 listed (2 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
Western Kentucky
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- Western Kentucky University Softball Camps
- TOPS Prospect Camp | August 22nd08/22/2026 · 7th Grade - College Sophomore · $185
- TOPS Advanced Pitching/Catching Clinic | August 23rd08/23/2026 · 7th Grade - College Sophomore · $115
Middle Tennessee State vs Western Kentucky: common questions
- Is Middle Tennessee State or Western Kentucky cheaper?
- On published price, Western Kentucky is cheaper — about $39,043 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 Western Kentucky?
- Both report a 54% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky 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 Western Kentucky run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 1 at Middle Tennessee State and 3 at Western Kentucky. 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 Western Kentucky?
- Middle Tennessee State runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Western Kentucky, 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 Western Kentucky accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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