Texas State vs UTEP: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Texas State runs $1,166 less per year out of state; Texas State graduates 5 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 Texas State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Texas State lists $1,166 less per year in tuition and housing than UTEP.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Texas State graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than UTEP.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Texas State graduates earn about $5,983 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Texas State has reached 4 more NCAA tournaments than UTEP since 2021.
Lean UTEP if…
- You would be in-state: UTEP is $1,706 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Texas State.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at UTEP is $3,000 lower than at Texas State.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: UTEP rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Texas State.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: UTEP admits 100% of applicants.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Texas State | UTEP |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,450 | $9,744 — UTEP leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $22,930 — Texas State leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition | $25,502 |
| Room & board | $12,270 | $10,864 — UTEP leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all in | $23,720 | $20,608 — UTEP 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. | $35,200 — Texas State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $36,366 |
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 | Texas State | UTEP |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 55% — Texas State leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 50% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $56,906/yr — Texas State leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $50,923/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 | $18,000 — UTEP 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% | 35% — UTEP 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 | Texas State | UTEP |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 89% | 100% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 38,722 | 24,351 |
| Where it is | San Marcos, TX | El Paso, TX |
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 | Texas State | UTEP |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Pac-12 | Mountain West |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Ricci Woodard | T.J. Hubbard |
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 | Texas State | UTEP |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Texas State
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
UTEP
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.
Texas State vs UTEP: common questions
- Is Texas State or UTEP cheaper?
- On published price, Texas State is cheaper — about $35,200 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $36,366 at UTEP. 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, Texas State or UTEP?
- Texas State, at 55% against 50% at UTEP (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Texas State and UTEP 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.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Texas State rates very competitive against competitive at UTEP. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- How do I contact the coaches at Texas State and UTEP?
- UTEP runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Texas State, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Texas State and UTEP accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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