UT Martin vs Tennessee Tech: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Ohio Valley. UT Martin runs $7,090 less per year out of state.
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 UT Martin if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: UT Martin lists $7,090 less per year in tuition and housing than Tennessee Tech.
Lean Tennessee Tech if…
- On the figures we hold, Tennessee Tech does not lead UT Martin on any measure above. If you are choosing between them, the deciding factors are the ones no table holds: how the staff talks to you, where you would sit on the depth chart, and whether you would want to be there without softball.
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 | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $10,208 | $10,084 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $16,248 — UT Martin leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $20,116 |
| Room & board | $7,280 — UT Martin leads on this measure: lower room & board | $10,502 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $17,488 — UT Martin leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $20,586 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $23,528 — UT Martin leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $30,618 |
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 | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 55% | 54% |
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 | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,941 | 10,117 |
| Where it is | Martin, TN | Cookeville, 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 | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Chelsea Farmer | Danielle Penner |
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 | UT Martin | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | 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.
UT Martin
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 Tech
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.
UT Martin vs Tennessee Tech: common questions
- Is UT Martin or Tennessee Tech cheaper?
- On published price, UT Martin is cheaper — about $23,528 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $30,618 at Tennessee Tech. 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, UT Martin or Tennessee Tech?
- UT Martin, at 55% against 54% at Tennessee Tech (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do UT Martin and Tennessee Tech 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 UT Martin and Tennessee Tech?
- 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 UT Martin and Tennessee Tech 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.
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