Best Colleges With Softball in the World Series 2023

Find out the colleges with softball teams that, not only made the 2023 WCWS playoffs, but are among the best academically and financially to attend.

Best Colleges With Softball in the World Series 2023
Kenny Nguyễn

The playoffs that will decide which teams play in the 2023 Women's College World Series (WCWS) is now underway. The first round was the Regionals round, which consisted of regional contests between four teams. The college softball teams that emerged with the best record from the double elimination first round claimed the title of winners of the Regionals round and moved on to the Super Regionals, a best of three series.

Altogether, there were 15 college softball teams to emerge from Regionals victorious and advance to the second round. While these 15 colleges with softball are exceptional when it comes to their season records and athletic ability and performance, BrokeScholar wanted to investigate, of the 15 schools, which were academically and financially the best colleges with softball. To identify the best colleges with softball, we analyzed these 15 schools in terms of their academic quality as well as in terms of affordability. We considered graduation rates, admission rates, and costs of tuition and required fees. All data was sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Read on to find out the best colleges with softball that are in contention for the college softball World Series 2023.

The Best Colleges With Softball

When it comes to the best colleges with softball, out of the top 15 that advanced to the Super Regionals, 12 of the schools are public colleges, mainly very large state colleges. The biggest of these, in terms of undergraduates, is the University of Texas at Austin, aka the Longhorns, with just under 41,000 undergraduate students. The remaining three colleges with softball are private not-for-profit colleges. Of the top 15 best colleges with softball, the highest graduation rate is an astounding 96%.

A good number of the schools among the 15 colleges with softball to advance to Super Regionals are also among the top colleges in their state. For example, Clemson University is one of the hardest colleges to get into in South Carolina and boasts great academic credentials. Referring back to the University of Texas, it is one the hardest colleges to get into in Texas and easily one of the best schools in the state in educational terms.

As mentioned already, we then analyzed these 15 colleges in terms of graduation rates, admission rates, and costs of tuition and required fees. Each college was scored based on these factors and then ranked. 

Here’s a look at the all-around best colleges with softball that made it into the 2023 college softball World Series playoffs.

University of Georgia

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 42 - 15

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $11,180 for in-state | $30,220 for out-of-state

The University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia, has a rich history of athletic excellence, including a strong tradition in softball. The Georgia Bulldogs softball team has been a consistent powerhouse in the NCAA. They have made numerous appearances in the softball college world series, including reaching the finals in 2009 and 2010. The team has also produced many talented players who have gone on to compete at the professional level. Unfortunately, although UGA won the Regionals round, it was knocked out in the Super Regionals by Florida State in the 2023 Women’s College World Series playoffs.

In terms of our analysis, UGA tops our list of the best colleges with softball. The university boasts one of the highest graduation rates in the state of Georgia, at 88%. What’s more, UGA is particularly selective when it comes to admissions, especially considering it’s a large state school. UGA’s undergraduate acceptance rate is 40%, making it one of the hardest colleges to get into in Georgia. Compared to the study’s average cost of tuition for in-state students — approximately $20,535 per year — and for out-of-state students — $36,637 per year — UGA’s costs are more affordable for both categories of students.

University of Texas

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 45 – 15 -1

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $11,698 for in-state | $41,070 for out-of-state

The University of Texas at Austin, known as UT Austin or simply Texas, is renowned for its athletic programs, and its softball team is no exception. The Texas Longhorns softball team has a storied history, having made multiple appearances in the WCWS. They have consistently been ranked among the top teams in the nation and have produced several All-Americans and Olympic athletes. In the Regionals round, UT Austin defeated Seton Hall, Texas State, and Texas A&M, but then fell to the University of Tennessee in Super Regionals.

UT Austin is a massive school, hosting nearly 41,000 undergraduates and close to 52,000 students in total. Even with its gigantic size, the University of Texas manages to preserve an excellent graduation rate of 88%. The undergraduate acceptance rate at UT is very competitive for a big state school, at 29%. Furthermore, of those 29% admitted, a full 48% proceed to enroll at the university, which is a very high proportion and implies that high school students who apply to UT Austin really want to go to college there.

San Diego State University

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 39 - 17

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $8,174 for in-state | $20,054 for out-of-state

San Diego State University, located in San Diego, California, has a strong softball program that has achieved considerable success over the years. The San Diego State Aztecs softball team has made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and has consistently competed at a high level. They have been a dominant force in their conference and have developed a reputation for producing talented players. In the Regionals for the 2023 softball college world series, SDSU emerged victorious only to be defeated by the University of Utah in the Super Regionals.

SDSU ranked as the No. 3 best college with softball thanks to its strong academic reputation across the board. Indeed, San Diego State is one of the hardest colleges in the Cal State System to get into. It has a graduation rate of 76%, which is among the highest rates of the schools in the Cal State System. Moreover, admission to SDSU is pretty tough, with the school having an undergraduate acceptance rate of 38%. In terms of cost, San Diego State is comparatively affordable and the second-cheapest in the study. It is one of four colleges with softball in our study to have an in-state tuition cost less than $10,000 per year.

Stanford University

Type of institution: Private not-for-profit

2023 softball season record: 45 - 13

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $ $58,416

Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, boasts a prestigious softball program. The Stanford Cardinal softball team has a history of success, with numerous appearances in the WCWS. They have been known for their strong pitching staff and have produced All-Americans and Olympic athletes. The team has consistently been a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 conference. In the 2023 softball college world series playoffs, Stanford advanced from Regionals to Super Regionals, where it beat Duke University two games to zero. Now, it is among the four teams in Bracket 1 of the 2023 Women's College World Series.

As most Americans who aren’t living under a rock know, Stanford is equated with academic excellence. What is less well-known is that Stanford is also one of the cultiest colleges in the US. Returning to academics, however, Stanford’s graduation rate is among the best in California, at an amazing 96%, the highest rate in the whole study. In terms of admissions, Stanford University is incredibly competitive, and is among 3 out of the 15 colleges with softball in the study to have an admission rate of less than 10%. The university’s undergraduate acceptance rate is only 4%, making it one of the most competitive colleges to get into in the US.

Duke University

Type of institution: Private not-for-profit

2023 softball season record: 48 - 12

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $62,688

Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, may be best known to Americans for its basketball program, the school has a solid softball program that has made notable strides in recent years. The Duke Blue Devils softball team has shown significant improvement, making appearances in the NCAA Tournament and becoming more competitive within their conference. They have demonstrated a commitment to building a strong program and have attracted talented players to their roster. In the 2023 softball college world series playoffs, Duke advanced to the Super Regionals where Stanford edged it out two games to zero.

Duke University maintains excellent athletic programs alongside excellent academics. The college is a major graduate school, with Duke hosting just under 6,900 undergraduate students but over 17,600 students in total. According to a separate BrokeScholar study, Duke University ranked as the No. 2 best college in North Carolina, kept out of first place mainly due to its expensive cost to attend. However, looking at academics alone, Duke is one of the best colleges with softball. It boasts a graduation rate of 96%, tied for the best in the study with Stanford. And, also like Stanford, the undergraduate acceptance rate for Duke is less than 10%, standing at a mere 6%. Additionally, of those 6% of applicants that were admitted, a massive 60% proceeded to enroll at the school, which is an incredibly high proportion.

Clemson University

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 49 - 12

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $15,558 for in-state | $39,502 for out-of-state

Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina, has a developing softball program that has shown promise in recent years. The Clemson Tigers softball team has made notable progress, competing at a higher level and making strides within their conference. They have been building a foundation for future success and have been actively recruiting talented athletes to enhance their program. And this development has paid off, with Clemson winning the Regionals round of the 2023 softball college world series playoffs. However, it fell in the second round to the University of Oklahoma two games to none.

Clemson University, as already mentioned, is one of the best colleges in South Carolina. It is home to more than 21,600 undergraduate students and over 27,000 students in total. With a graduation rate of 85%, Clemson’s graduation rate is one of the highest in the study and also highest among all the colleges in South Carolina. Admission to Clemson is tough for a large public college, with the school having an undergraduate acceptance rate of 49%. The school is on the more expensive side, but it offers Clemson University Diversity Scholarships, which have an average award value of $6,000.

Northwestern University

Type of institution: Private not-for-profit

2023 softball season record: 42 - 13

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $63,468

Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University has a highly regarded softball program that has achieved significant success. The Northwestern Wildcats softball team has a strong tradition of excellence, with multiple appearances in the WCWS and conference championships. They have produced All-Americans and have been known for their competitive spirit and skilled players. In the first round of the 2023 softball college word series playoffs, Northwestern beat Eastern Illinois, the University of Kentucky, and Miami University of Ohio, to advance to Super Regionals, where it fell to the University of Alabama two games to one.

Northwestern University is extremely distinguished for its academics, ranking alongside the University of Chicago as one of the best colleges in Illinois. Notably, Northwestern is one of the best colleges for biomedical engineering in the US. In terms of admissions, Northwestern is among the toughest. Along with Stanford and Duke, the admission rate at Northwestern University is less than 10%, having an undergraduate acceptance rate of only 7%. Meanwhile, the graduation rate at Northwestern is the second-highest in the study, at 95%. What kept Northwestern from ranking higher in this study is the fact that it was the most expensive school, with an annual cost of tuition and required fees of almost $63,500.

Florida State University

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 55 - 8

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $5,656 for in-state | $18,786 for out-of-state 

Florida State University, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is home to a highly successful softball program. The Florida State Seminoles softball team has a strong history of winning, with multiple appearances in the WCWS and numerous conference championships. They have been consistently ranked among the top teams in the nation and have produced many talented players who have excelled at the collegiate and professional levels. Florida State advanced from the Regionals to the Super Regionals in the 2023 college softball world series playoffs, where it defeated UGA two games to zero. Currently, Florida State stands in Bracket 2 alongside three other schools competing for the WCWS title.

Florida State is one of the largest colleges in the US, hosting more than 33,500 undergraduate students and over 45,000 students in total. Having so many undergraduate students could be a reason contributing to FSU’s mediocre graduation rate of 48%. On the other hand, Florida State is quite selective, especially for a large public school. FSU’s undergraduate acceptance rate is 37%, making it one of the hardest colleges to get into in Florida.

University of Oklahoma

Type of institution: Private not-for-profit

2023 softball season record: 56 - 1

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $9,312 for in-state | $25,880 for out-of-state

The University of Oklahoma, located in Norman, Oklahoma, is synonymous with excellence in softball. The Oklahoma Sooners softball team has established itself as a perennial powerhouse, consistently contending for national championships. They have won multiple WCWS titles and have produced numerous All-Americans and Olympic athletes. The program has become a model of success and has a passionate fan base. In the 2023 college softball season, it claimed the No. 1 spot. And in the college softball world series playoffs, Oklahoma beat Hofstra, Mizzou, and Berkeley in the Regionals round, beat Clemson in Super Regionals two games and none, and now sits among the four colleges composing Bracket 1 of the Women’s College World Series.

Besides softball, Oklahoma is a perennial competitor in NCAA Division I football, being one of the colleges with the most Heisman Trophies. Academically, the University of Oklahoma is one of the best in Oklahoma. Its graduation rate of 76% is one of the highest rates in the state. Of the 15 colleges with softball analyzed in this study, the cost of attending Oklahoma is on the more affordable side. In fact, it’s one of only four colleges to have an in-state tuition of less than $10,000 per year.

Oklahoma State University 

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 46 - 14

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $10,234 for in-state | $25,754 for out-of-state

Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University has a softball program that has enjoyed a strong tradition of success. The Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team has made multiple appearances in the WCWS and has consistently been a contender in their conference. They have produced talented players and have established a culture of competitiveness and excellence. OSU emerged victorious in the first round of the 2023 college softball world series playoffs and then eliminated the University of Oregon in Super Regionals. Currently, OSU is among the four colleges in Bracket 2 that will compete for the WCWS title.

With over 20,000 undergraduate students and under 25,000 students in total, Oklahoma State University is one of the biggest colleges in the state. Its graduation rate of 66% isn’t as good as the University of Oklahoma, but it’s still good enough to be among the best rates in the state. Additionally, out of the 15 colleges with softball in our study, Oklahoma State is comparatively affordable to attend.

University of Tennessee

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 49 - 8

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $13,244 for in-state | $31,664 for out-of-state

The University of Tennessee, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, has a respected softball program that has achieved notable success over the years. The Tennessee Volunteers softball team has made multiple appearances in the WCWS and has been a consistent force in their conference. They have developed a reputation for their strong hitting and have produced many skilled players who have gone on to compete at the professional level. In the 2023 college softball world series playoffs, Tennessee bested Northern Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and the University of Indiana in Regionals. In Super Regionals, the University of Tennessee again emerged as the victor, beating the Longhorns two games to none. It now stands in Bracket 1 alongside three other colleges to vie for the WCWS title in 2023.

The University of Tennessee is one of the best colleges in Tennessee, ranking second behind only Vanderbilt University. Having a graduation rate of 72%, the University of Tennessee sports one of the highest graduation rates of all colleges in Tennessee. Furthermore, its undergraduate acceptance rate of 75% is comparatively selective for a major public college.  

The University of Alabama

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 45 - 20

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $11,940 for in-state | $32,300 for out-of-state

The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is known for its storied softball program. The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team has been a dominant force in the NCAA, with multiple appearances in the WCWS and national championships. They have consistently been ranked among the top teams in the country and have produced a wealth of talented players who have excelled both in college and at the professional level. In the playoffs leading up to the 2023 Women’s College World Series, Alabama won the Regionals round and proceeded to defeat Northwestern in Super Regionals two games to one. Now, the University of Alabama stands alongside Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Stanford in Bracket 1 to fight it out for the 2023 WCWS title.

With an undergraduate student body of over 31,000 and a total student population more than 38,300, the University of Alabama is one of the biggest schools in Alabama. It’s also one of the best schools academically, especially among public colleges, in the state. Despite its large size, Alabama has maintained a solid graduation rate of 72%. Admission to the University of Alabama is slightly more competitive than most public schools in the state. Alabama’s undergraduate acceptance rate is 79%. 

University of Utah

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 42 - 14

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $9,315 for in-state | $29,837 for out-of-state

The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, has a competitive softball program that has made notable strides in recent years. The Utah Utes softball team has become a consistent contender in their conference and has made appearances in the NCAA Tournament. They have been building a solid foundation for success and have attracted talented players to their program. That foundation-building has seemed to pay off as Utah’s softball team beat Southern Illinois, Ole Miss, and Baylor in Regionals in the 2023 college softball world series playoffs. It then eliminated San Diego State two games to one in Super Regionals, so that it now sits in Bracket 2, along with three other schools, to compete for the title of world series champions.

With an undergraduate student body of nearly 26,000 and a total student population of more than 34,400, the University of Utah is one of the largest schools in Utah. Despite its large size, the University of Utah has the best student-to-teacher ratio of all public colleges in the state. Utah’s graduation rate of 67% could be better, but the college is notably very affordable for in-state students. It’s one of just four colleges in the study to charge less than $10,000 per year for in-state students in tuition and required fees.

University of Washington

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 43 - 13

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $12,242 for in-state | $40,740 for out-of-state 

The University of Washington, located in Seattle, Washington, has a storied softball program that has consistently been among the nation's best. The Washington Huskies softball team has made numerous appearances in the WCWS, including winning the national championship in 2009 and finishing as the runners-up in 2018. They have developed a reputation for their strong pitching staff and have produced several All-Americans and Olympic athletes. The University of Washington (UW) Huskies advanced from Regionals to Super Regionals, where they beat the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns two games to none. Now, UW softball is among the four teams in Bracket 2 that will compete in the 2023 softball college world series.

UW is relatively well-known by people for its competitive athletic teams, but it is also academically a very solid university. Notably, UW is one of the best colleges for political science in Washington state. With a graduation rate of 84%, the University of Washington boasts one of the highest rates in the study and out of all colleges in Washington. And, in terms of admissions, getting into UW is markedly hard considering it’s a large public college. The undergraduate acceptance rate is 53%, of which 28% proceed to enroll at UW.

University of Oregon

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 38 - 17

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $15,054 for in-state | $41,700 for out-of-state

The University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon, is home to a highly successful softball program. The Oregon Ducks softball team has achieved remarkable success in recent years, making multiple appearances in the WCWS and earning conference championships. They have become known for their dynamic offense and have produced several All-Americans and players who have gone on to have successful professional careers. In the first round of the 2023 college softball world series playoffs, Oregon beat out the University of Arkansas, Harvard, and Notre Dame. However, in the second round, the University of Oregon was shot down by Oklahoma State.

The University of Oregon is home to over 18,600 undergraduates and more than 22,200 students in total, making it, alongside Oregon State University, one of the biggest colleges in the state. What’s great about this college with softball is that it offers the University of Oregon Diversity Excellence Scholarship, which has an award of $26,500. Winning that scholarship could be a big help financially considering that University of Oregon is on the more expensive side of our study. Similar to the other big state schools that made our list of the best colleges with softball, the University of Oregon is one the best public colleges in Oregon. It has one of the best graduation rates of all Oregon colleges, at 74%. 

University of Louisiana

Type of institution: Public

2023 softball season record: 50 - 16

Estimated tuition and required fees per year: $10,382 for in-state | $24,110 for out-of-state

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, commonly referred to as UL Lafayette or simply Louisiana, has a distinguished softball program that has consistently been one of the nation's best. The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns softball team has made numerous appearances in the WCWS and has been dominant in their conference. They have established a winning tradition, consistently ranking among the top teams in the country and producing talented players. In the 2023 softball college world series Regionals round, the University of Louisiana emerged victorious but was eliminated by the University of Washington in the Super Regionals two games to zero.

The University of Louisiana is smaller than Louisiana State University (LSU), having around 13,700 undergraduate students and over 16,000 students in total. With an undergraduate acceptance rate of 78%, admission to UL Lafayette is on the easier side of the 15 colleges with softball in this study. However, for a major public college, the University of Louisiana’s 78% is comparatively competitive. The college’s graduation rate of 50% could use some improvement. However, the cost to attend UL Lafayette is relatively affordable. For in-state students, the approximate cost of tuition is $10,382 per year, while for out-of-state students it’s $24,110 per year; the latter figure is one of the cheapest rates of tuition for out-of-state students in the whole study.

The Bottom Line on the Best Colleges With Softball

These 15 colleges have established themselves as powerhouses in collegiate softball, each with its own unique history of success and a commitment to athletic excellence. From the University of Georgia and the University of Texas at Austin to Northwestern University and the University of Alabama, these institutions have consistently produced strong softball teams that have made their mark on the national stage. Whether it's multiple appearances in the Women's College World Series, conference championships, or a legacy of developing talented players who excel at the collegiate and professional levels, these colleges have left an indelible impact on the sport. Their dedication to building competitive programs, attracting top-tier athletes, and fostering a culture of success has earned them the respect and admiration of fans and competitors alike. As these colleges continue to invest in their softball programs and pursue athletic excellence, their influence on the sport is sure to endure, inspiring future generations of softball players and shaping the landscape of collegiate softball for years to come.

What’s more, like almost every college sport, there are softball scholarships available based on talent, GPA requirements, letters of recommendation, and other qualifications. Check out BrokeScholar’s vast library of college scholarships to see if you can find one that’s ideal for you.

Methodology

This study of the best colleges with softball that made it into the 2023 college softball world series playoffs was based on data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Factors analyzed included the following:

  • Graduation rate

  • Admission rate

  • In-state cost of tuition and required fees (2023 academic year)

  • Out-of-state cost of tuition and required fees (2023 academic year)

Each college was given a score for these factors, with the scores then added up, and finally ranked from best to worst.

Andrew DePietro

Author: Andrew DePietro

Senior Researcher, and Content Strategist

Andrew DePietro is a finance writer covering topics such as entrepreneurship, investing, real estate and college for BrokeScholar, Forbes, CreditKarma, and more.