by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 12 schools for Men’s Basketball (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual scores each program on 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:
Clark Atlanta University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division II). Based in Atlanta, GA, Clark Atlanta University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $53,468 per participant, against $51,082 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,630 per athlete.
University of West Georgia is one of the top schools for Men's Basketball (Division II), at #2. This public school is set in Carrollton, GA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 958, and a 76% Graduation Success Rate. About 38% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $79,904 in revenue per athlete, compared with $79,904 spent per athlete. The school awards about $7,051 in athletic aid per athlete.
Young Harris College landed the #3 spot for Men's Basketball (Division II). Based in Young Harris, GA, Young Harris College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $28,665 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $28,665 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,301.
Valdosta State University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Men's Basketball (Division II). This public school is set in Valdosta, GA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $37,655, with expenses of about $37,655 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,542.
University of North Georgia ranked #5 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division II). Located in Dahlonega, GA, University of North Georgia is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $59,262, compared with $55,178 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,411.
Columbus State University placed #6 among the best colleges for Men's Basketball (Division II). This public school is set in Columbus, GA. Team revenue averages $25,010 per participant, compared with $25,010 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $4,670 per athlete.
Shorter University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Rome, GA, Shorter University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $23,714 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $23,714 per participant. Athletic aid averages $7,563 per athlete.
Fort Valley State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Valley, GA, Fort Valley State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $24,628 per participant, compared with $24,628 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,378.
Clayton State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Morrow, GA. Team revenue averages $26,550 per participant, compared with $22,722 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $3,906 per athlete.
Georgia Southwestern State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list for Men's Basketball (Division II). Located in Americus, GA, Georgia Southwestern State University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $22,813, against $22,813 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $4,453.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $14,937 per participant, compared with $14,937 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $3,016 per athlete.
Savannah State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Savannah State University is a public school based in Savannah, GA. Team revenue averages $14,497 per participant, compared with $14,497 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $2,151 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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.