Pittsburgh vs Washington: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Pittsburgh runs $6,669 less per year out of state; Washington graduates earn $12,341 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 Pittsburgh if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Pittsburgh lists $6,669 less per year in tuition and housing than Washington.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Pittsburgh against none listed at Washington.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Pittsburgh admits 58% of applicants.
Lean Washington if…
- You would be in-state: Washington is $8,881 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Pittsburgh.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Washington graduates earn about $12,341 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Washington is $9,635 lower than at Pittsburgh.
- You want to play in June: Washington has reached 6 more NCAA tournaments than Pittsburgh since 2021.
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 | Pittsburgh | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $21,524 | $12,643 — Washington leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $39,890 — Pittsburgh leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $41,997 |
| Room & board | $13,420 — Pittsburgh leads on this measure: lower room & board | $17,982 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $34,944 | $30,625 — Washington 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. | $53,310 — Pittsburgh leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $59,979 |
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 | Pittsburgh | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 84% | 84% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $66,125/yr | $78,466/yr — Washington leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,250 | $14,615 — Washington 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. | 37% | 19% — Washington 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 | Pittsburgh | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 58% | 39% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | — | #40 |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 34,525 | 55,620 |
| Where it is | Pittsburgh, PA | Seattle, WA |
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 | Pittsburgh | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ACC | Big Ten |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 6 of the last 6 tournaments (1 WCWS) |
| NCAA RPI | — | #18 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Head coach | Jenny Allard | Heather Tarr |
| In the job since | — | 2018 |
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 | Pittsburgh | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (2 with dates) | — |
| 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.
Pittsburgh
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Pitt Softball Elite Clinic08/19/2026 · Girls · $185.00
- August Elite Prospect Camp08/22/2026 · Girls · See Prices
Washington
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.
Pittsburgh vs Washington: common questions
- Is Pittsburgh or Washington cheaper?
- On published price, Pittsburgh is cheaper — about $53,310 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $59,979 at Washington. 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, Pittsburgh or Washington?
- Both report a 84% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Pittsburgh and Washington 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 Pittsburgh and Washington run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Pittsburgh and none currently listed at Washington. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Pittsburgh and Washington?
- 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 Pittsburgh and Washington accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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