by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 38 colleges for Men’s Basketball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluates each program using a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for Men's Basketball (Division I). Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 86% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $672,836 in revenue per athlete, against $672,836 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,012.
University of Southern California is one of the top schools for Men's Basketball (Division I), at #2. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 88%. The federal graduation rate stands at 33%. The program generates about $769,105 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $769,105 per participant. Athletic aid averages $40,006 per athlete.
San Diego State University ranked #3 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. San Diego State University records an NCAA APR of 994, and a 91% Graduation Success Rate. About 70% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $898,229 in revenue per athlete, against $535,923 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $21,450 per athlete.
University of San Francisco ranked #4 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Located in San Francisco, CA, University of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University of San Francisco records an NCAA APR of 989, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $428,846 in revenue per athlete, compared with $428,846 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $31,788.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranked #5 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Based in Seattle, WA, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 976, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 50%. The program generates about $841,053 in revenue per athlete, against $732,830 in expenses. The school awards about $26,539 in athletic aid per athlete.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 978, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 64%. Team revenue averages $577,037 per participant, against $577,037 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $40,056 per athlete.
University of Nevada-Reno did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Reno, NV. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 29%. Team revenue averages $640,435 per participant, with expenses of about $360,988 per participant. The school awards about $21,799 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Los Angeles placed #8 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). University of California-Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University of California-Los Angeles records an NCAA APR of 974, and a 63% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 29%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,047,044, with expenses of about $1,047,044 per participant. The school awards about $24,306 in athletic aid per athlete.
Gonzaga University landed the #9 spot this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University records an NCAA APR of 989, alongside a GSR of 86%. About 40% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,026,871, compared with $715,193 spent per athlete. The school awards about $14,963 in athletic aid per athlete.
Washington State University placed #10 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Based in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 984, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 40%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $474,313, against $309,716 in expenses. The school awards about $20,338 in athletic aid per athlete.
California Baptist University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 973, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $306,256 per participant, compared with $255,798 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $23,790.
Seattle University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 992, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. Team revenue averages $210,985 per participant, with expenses of about $210,985 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,482.
University of California-Irvine landed the #13 spot this year. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. About 58% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $265,501, compared with $265,501 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,955 per athlete.
Saint Mary's College of California ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Men's Basketball (Division I). Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Mary's College of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Mary's College of California records an NCAA APR of 973, and a 91% Graduation Success Rate. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $553,210, with expenses of about $553,210 per participant. The school awards about $18,999 in athletic aid per athlete.
Santa Clara University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 986, and a 67% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 36%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $373,590, with expenses of about $373,590 per participant. Athletic aid averages $19,355 per athlete.
University of Oregon placed #16 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Based in Eugene, OR, University of Oregon is a public institution. University of Oregon records an NCAA APR of 965, alongside a GSR of 44%. About 13% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $646,928 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $781,826 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,739.
University of California-San Diego landed the #17 spot this year. University of California-San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 979, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. The program generates about $227,102 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $227,102 per participant. The school awards about $9,847 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Berkeley came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Berkeley, CA, University of California-Berkeley is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 963, alongside a GSR of 57%. Its federal graduation rate is 21%. The program generates about $602,230 in revenue per athlete, compared with $640,997 spent per athlete. The school awards about $21,267 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas placed #19 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Located in Las Vegas, NV, University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 958, alongside a GSR of 73%. About 35% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $625,187 per participant, compared with $333,630 spent per athlete. The school awards about $23,395 in athletic aid per athlete.
Pepperdine University placed #20 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 943, and a 80% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 36%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $328,844, compared with $328,844 spent per athlete. The school awards about $27,861 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Santa Barbara placed #21 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division I). Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 986, and a 91% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 40%. The program generates about $218,285 in revenue per athlete, compared with $218,285 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,355.
University of San Diego landed the #22 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 949, alongside a GSR of 92%. The federal graduation rate stands at 43%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $253,733, against $253,733 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $19,537 per athlete.
University of California-Riverside landed the #23 spot this year. Based in Riverside, CA, University of California-Riverside is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 82%. The federal graduation rate stands at 64%. Team revenue averages $194,485 per participant, compared with $194,485 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,154 per athlete.
Oregon State University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 963, with a Graduation Success Rate of 54%. About 33% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $572,868, compared with $431,201 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,022.
University of California-Davis landed the #25 spot this year. Based in Davis, CA, University of California-Davis is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 962, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 45%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $173,695, against $173,695 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $14,267 per athlete.
These programs also stood out among the best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.