Norfolk State vs Tennessee State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Norfolk State lists $872 less in out-of-state tuition; Norfolk State graduates earn $1,936 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 Norfolk State if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Norfolk State graduates earn about $1,936 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Norfolk State admits 88% of applicants.
Lean Tennessee State if…
- You would be in-state: Tennessee State is $1,342 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Norfolk State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Tennessee State is $2,000 lower than at Norfolk State.
- Your transcript is a strength: Tennessee State admits 70% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Norfolk State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $9,910 | $8,568 — Tennessee State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $21,412 — Norfolk State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $22,284 |
| Room & board | $11,692 | $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. | $21,602 | $18,688 — Tennessee 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. | $33,104 | $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 | Norfolk State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 33% | 33% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,666/yr — Norfolk State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $42,730/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $29,000 | $27,000 — Tennessee State leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 65% | 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 | Norfolk State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 88% | 70% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,045 | 8,198 |
| Where it is | Norfolk, VA | 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 | Norfolk State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | MEAC | Ohio Valley |
| Conference level | Low Major | Mid-Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Tatjana Matthews | 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 | Norfolk State | Tennessee State |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Norfolk 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.
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.
Norfolk State vs Tennessee State: common questions
- Is Norfolk State or Tennessee State cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $33,104 a year out of state in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Norfolk State or Tennessee State?
- Both report a 33% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Norfolk 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Norfolk 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 Norfolk State and Tennessee 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