North Alabama vs USC Upstate: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. North Alabama runs $2,495 less per year out of state; North Alabama graduates 12 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 North Alabama if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: North Alabama lists $2,495 less per year in tuition and housing than USC Upstate.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: North Alabama graduates 12 percentage points more of its students than USC Upstate.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at North Alabama against none listed at USC Upstate.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: North Alabama admits 87% of applicants.
Lean USC Upstate if…
- You would be in-state: USC Upstate is $407 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than North Alabama.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: USC Upstate graduates earn about $3,172 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: USC Upstate has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than North Alabama since 2021.
- You want the stronger program on paper: USC Upstate rates strong against solid at North Alabama.
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 | North Alabama | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,990 | $11,583 — USC Upstate leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $22,190 | $22,545 |
| Room & board | $7,900 — North Alabama leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,040 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $19,890 — North Alabama leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $21,623 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $30,090 — North Alabama leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $32,585 |
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 | North Alabama | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 54% — North Alabama leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 42% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $45,415/yr | $48,587/yr — USC Upstate leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,077 | $22,310 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 49% | 46% — USC Upstate 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 | North Alabama | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 87% | 67% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 10,059 | 4,946 |
| Where it is | Florence, AL | Spartanburg, SC |
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 | North Alabama | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | UAC | Big South |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Ashley Cozart | Chris Hawkins |
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 | North Alabama | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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.
North Alabama
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
- August Elite Camp 208/22/2026 · 7th Grade - 12th Grade · $120
USC Upstate
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.
North Alabama vs USC Upstate: common questions
- Is North Alabama or USC Upstate cheaper?
- On published price, North Alabama is cheaper — about $30,090 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $32,585 at USC Upstate. 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, North Alabama or USC Upstate?
- North Alabama, at 54% against 42% at USC Upstate (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do North Alabama and USC Upstate 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 North Alabama and USC Upstate run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at North Alabama and none currently listed at USC Upstate. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at North Alabama and USC Upstate?
- USC Upstate runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For North Alabama, 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 North Alabama and USC Upstate accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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