Texas vs Texas A&M: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the SEC. Texas A&M runs $5,766 less per year out of state; Texas 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 if…
- You would be in-state: Texas is $1,466 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Texas A&M.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Texas graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Texas A&M.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Texas graduates earn about $3,024 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- 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 $5,766 less per year in tuition and housing than Texas.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Texas A&M is $2,696 lower than at Texas.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Texas A&M admits 57% 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 | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $11,688 — Texas leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition | $13,154 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $44,908 | $40,124 — 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 in | $25,824 | $26,308 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $59,044 | $53,278 — 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 | 89% — Texas leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 84% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $75,121/yr — Texas leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $72,097/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 | $17,804 — Texas A&M 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. | 27% | 25% — Texas A&M 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 | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 27% | 57% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Texas
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 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 $53,278 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $59,044 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 89% against 84% at Texas A&M (College Scorecard). 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.
- 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.
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 and Texas A&M accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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