by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. Our ranking highlights 48 colleges for Women’s Basketball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best college for Women's Basketball (Division I) in the Great Lakes Region. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University records an NCAA APR of 998, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $102,876 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $365,754 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $53,919.
Indiana University-Bloomington came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University-Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University-Bloomington records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 69%. Team revenue averages $251,167 per participant, compared with $251,167 spent per athlete. The school awards about $23,161 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Notre Dame is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division I), at #3. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University of Notre Dame records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. Its federal graduation rate is 45%. The program generates about $754,333 in revenue per athlete, compared with $754,333 spent per athlete. The school awards about $34,391 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division I), at #4. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 62% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $338,478 per participant, against $338,478 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $20,882 per athlete.
Marquette University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $397,889, against $397,884 in expenses. The school awards about $14,770 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Toledo landed the #6 spot this year. Based in Toledo, OH, University of Toledo is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $171,624, against $171,624 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,660.
DePaul University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 989, alongside a GSR of 91%. Its federal graduation rate is 62%. The program generates about $344,959 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $344,959 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $23,928.
Loyola University Chicago placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 970, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. The program generates about $238,330 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $238,330 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $23,325.
University of Dayton placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Dayton, OH, University of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 89% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $116,562 in revenue per athlete, compared with $275,184 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,913.
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus is a public school based in Bowling Green, OH. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $141,293 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $139,739 per participant. The school awards about $16,840 in athletic aid per athlete.
Northern Illinois University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, alongside a GSR of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Team revenue averages $220,672 per participant, with expenses of about $220,005 per participant. The school awards about $16,138 in athletic aid per athlete.
Michigan State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University records an NCAA APR of 985, alongside a GSR of 87%. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $452,938 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $452,938 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,500.
Purdue University-Main Campus landed the #13 spot this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 985, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. About 64% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $566,250 per participant, with expenses of about $327,419 per participant. The school awards about $19,382 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor records an NCAA APR of 995, alongside a GSR of 92%. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $31,625 per participant, compared with $162,747 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $28,650 per athlete.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign records an NCAA APR of 989, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $84,096, compared with $279,171 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $25,398 per athlete.
Ohio University-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University-Main Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 79% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $123,087 in revenue per athlete, against $123,087 in expenses. The school awards about $17,284 in athletic aid per athlete.
Ohio State University-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 973, alongside a GSR of 80%. The federal graduation rate stands at 25%. Team revenue averages $511,683 per participant, with expenses of about $511,683 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,151.
Kent State University at Kent placed #18 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Kent, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. Its federal graduation rate is 69%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $137,797, with expenses of about $137,797 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,976.
University of Illinois Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Chicago, IL, University of Illinois Chicago is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 982, alongside a GSR of 92%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $174,334, with expenses of about $174,334 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,167.
Xavier University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Xavier University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cincinnati, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 981, and a 86% Graduation Success Rate. About 64% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $231,022 in revenue per athlete, compared with $231,022 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,280.
Illinois State University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Illinois State University is a public school based in Normal, IL. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 88%. The federal graduation rate stands at 53%. Team revenue averages $145,504 per participant, compared with $145,504 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,477 in athletic aid per athlete.
Miami University-Oxford did well this year, earning the #22 position. Miami University-Oxford is a public school based in Oxford, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 990, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 85%. The program generates about $69,575 in revenue per athlete, against $69,575 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $17,790 per athlete.
Ball State University placed #23 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Muncie, IN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 985, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 58% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $157,035 in revenue per athlete, compared with $157,035 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $16,206 per athlete.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay placed #24 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Green Bay, WI. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $156,585 per participant, compared with $156,585 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,741.
Bradley University ranked #25 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Peoria, IL, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $114,827, compared with $114,827 spent per athlete. The school awards about $16,583 in athletic aid per athlete.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.