Texas vs Texas A&M: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the SEC. Texas A&M runs $3,432 less per year out of state; Texas graduates 4 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 if…
- You would be in-state: Texas is $1,421 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Texas A&M.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Texas graduates 4 percentage points more of its students than Texas A&M.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Texas against none listed at Texas A&M.
- Academic reputation is part of the decision: U.S. News ranks Texas #32 against #90 for Texas A&M.
Lean Texas A&M if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Texas A&M lists $3,432 less per year in tuition and housing than Texas.
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 | Texas | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,678 — Texas leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $13,099 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $42,778 | $40,328 — Texas A&M leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $14,136 | $13,154 — Texas A&M leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,814 | $26,253 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $56,914 | $53,482 — Texas A&M 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 | Texas | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 88% — Texas leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 84% |
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 | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | #32 — Texas leads on this measure: ranked higher by U.S. News | #90 |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 53,082 | 76,633 |
| Where it is | Austin, TX | College Station, 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 | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 6 of the last 6 tournaments (4 WCWS) | 6 of the last 6 tournaments |
| NCAA RPI | #1 — Texas leads on this measure: ranked higher in the NCAA RPI | #20 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Elite | Strong |
| Head coach | Mike White | Trisha Ford |
| In the job since | 2006 | — |
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 | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed | — |
| 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. 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.
Texas A&M
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 vs Texas A&M: common questions
- Is Texas or Texas A&M cheaper?
- On published price, Texas A&M is cheaper — about $53,482 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $56,914 at Texas. 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 or Texas A&M?
- Texas, at 88% against 84% at Texas A&M (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Texas and Texas A&M 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 Texas and Texas A&M run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Texas and none currently listed at Texas A&M. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Texas and Texas A&M?
- 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 Texas and Texas A&M accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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