Radford vs USC Upstate: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Big South. USC Upstate runs $4,573 less per year out of state; Radford graduates 8 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 Radford if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Radford graduates 8 percentage points more of its students than USC Upstate.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Radford graduates earn about $5,152 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 4 camps at Radford against none listed at USC Upstate.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Radford admits 90% of applicants.
Lean USC Upstate if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: USC Upstate lists $4,573 less per year in tuition and housing than Radford.
- You would be in-state: USC Upstate is $703 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Radford.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at USC Upstate is $1,690 lower than at Radford.
- You want to play in June: USC Upstate has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Radford 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 | Radford | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $12,286 | $11,583 — USC Upstate leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $25,185 | $22,545 — USC Upstate leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $11,973 | $10,040 — USC Upstate leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $24,259 | $21,623 — USC Upstate 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. | $37,158 | $32,585 — USC Upstate 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 | Radford | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 50% — Radford leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 42% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $53,739/yr — Radford leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,587/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,000 | $22,310 — USC Upstate 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. | 45% | 46% |
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 | Radford | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 67% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 7,531 | 4,946 |
| Where it is | Radford, VA | 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 | Radford | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Joe Pound | 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 | Radford | USC Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 4 listed (3 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.
Radford
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Radford University Softball Camps
- Prospect Camp | August 4th08/04/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $165
- Prospect Camp | August 29th08/29/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $165
- Prospect Camp | September 19th09/19/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $165
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.
Radford vs USC Upstate: common questions
- Is Radford or USC Upstate cheaper?
- On published price, USC Upstate is cheaper — about $32,585 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $37,158 at Radford. 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, Radford or USC Upstate?
- Radford, at 50% against 42% at USC Upstate (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Radford 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 Radford and USC Upstate run softball camps?
- We track 4 camps at Radford 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 Radford and USC Upstate?
- 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 Radford and USC Upstate accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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