Mississippi State vs UAB: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. UAB runs $3,419 less per year out of state; UAB graduates earn $2,988 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 Mississippi State if…
- You want to play in June: Mississippi State has reached 5 more NCAA tournaments than UAB since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Mississippi State against 1 at UAB.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Mississippi State rates strong against solid at UAB.
- Your transcript is a strength: Mississippi State admits 78% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean UAB if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: UAB lists $3,419 less per year in tuition and housing than Mississippi State.
- You would be in-state: UAB is $983 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Mississippi State.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: UAB graduates earn about $2,988 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: UAB rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Mississippi 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 | Mississippi State | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,815 | $8,832 — UAB leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $26,580 | $21,864 — UAB leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $12,293 — Mississippi State leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,590 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $22,108 | $22,422 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $38,873 | $35,454 — UAB 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 | Mississippi State | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 63% | 63% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $51,513/yr | $54,501/yr — UAB leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,142 | $22,300 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 43% | 41% — UAB 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 | Mississippi State | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 78% | 88% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 22,657 | 21,160 |
| Where it is | Mississippi State, MS | Birmingham, 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 | Mississippi State | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | SEC | American |
| Conference level | Power Conference | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Samantha Ricketts | Megan Curry |
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 | Mississippi State | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | 1 listed |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
Mississippi State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Elite Camp | August 22nd08/22/2026 · 8th - 12th · $162.50
- Elite Camp | August 23rd08/23/2026 · 8th - 12th · $162.50
Mississippi State vs UAB: common questions
- Is Mississippi State or UAB cheaper?
- On published price, UAB is cheaper — about $35,454 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $38,873 at Mississippi 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, Mississippi State or UAB?
- Both report a 63% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Mississippi State and UAB 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Mississippi State rates very competitive against competitive at UAB. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Mississippi State and UAB run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 2 at Mississippi State and 1 at UAB. 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 Mississippi State and UAB?
- 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 Mississippi State and UAB accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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