by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 35 schools for Women’s Basketball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual weighs 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.
Not quite what you need? Jump to the options below.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Our analysis found Rice University to be the best college for Women's Basketball (Division I) in the Southwest Region. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 85% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $288,407, with expenses of about $288,407 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $41,166.
Southern Methodist University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University records an NCAA APR of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 77%. The program generates about $563,691 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $563,691 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $56,388.
University of Tulsa earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Tulsa, OK, University of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. University of Tulsa records an NCAA APR of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. About 87% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $276,721, against $276,721 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $34,797 per athlete.
Baylor University is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division I), at #4. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waco, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 994, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. About 59% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $274,382, against $274,382 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $30,455.
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranked #5 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a public institution. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $109,107 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $364,847 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,789.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 73% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $240,486, compared with $240,486 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,490.
Texas Christian University placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University records an NCAA APR of 964, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 54% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $684,806 per participant, compared with $684,806 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $37,174.
Abilene Christian University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Abilene, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $136,397, compared with $152,694 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,012.
University of Arizona ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. University of Arizona records an NCAA APR of 984, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 40% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $533,424, with expenses of about $533,424 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,887.
Texas A&M University-College Station placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in College Station, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 88%. The federal graduation rate stands at 60%. The program generates about $94,214 in revenue per athlete, compared with $604,158 spent per athlete. The school awards about $17,123 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. University of New Mexico-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 91% Graduation Success Rate. About 31% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $226,062, compared with $220,821 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $19,510 per athlete.
University of North Texas came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Denton, TX. University of North Texas records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 94% Graduation Success Rate. About 54% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $222,355, against $222,355 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,504.
Texas State University landed the #13 spot this year. Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 85%. The federal graduation rate stands at 62%. The program generates about $219,957 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $219,957 per participant. Athletic aid averages $16,371 per athlete.
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). The University of Texas at Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University of Texas at Austin records an NCAA APR of 990, and a 83% Graduation Success Rate. About 57% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $76,423 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $325,008 per participant. Athletic aid averages $22,650 per athlete.
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 86%. About 25% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $147,725 per participant, compared with $473,348 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,662 in athletic aid per athlete.
Houston Christian University placed #16 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in Houston, TX, Houston Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 81%. The program generates about $100,054 in revenue per athlete, compared with $100,054 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $20,924 per athlete.
The University of Texas at San Antonio placed #17 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in San Antonio, TX, The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $91,124, with expenses of about $91,124 per participant. Athletic aid averages $16,155 per athlete.
University of Houston did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Houston, TX, University of Houston is a public institution. University of Houston records an NCAA APR of 965, and a 79% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. The program generates about $263,252 in revenue per athlete, against $263,252 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,948.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 984, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. The federal graduation rate stands at 45%. The program generates about $168,669 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $337,039 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $12,335.
The University of Texas at Arlington did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. The University of Texas at Arlington records an NCAA APR of 956, alongside a GSR of 94%. Its federal graduation rate is 77%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $164,966, with expenses of about $164,966 per participant. Athletic aid averages $12,666 per athlete.
The University of Texas at El Paso placed #21 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in El Paso, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 986, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 23%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $100,111, against $150,281 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $18,754 per athlete.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus placed #22 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 966, alongside a GSR of 88%. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $149,733 per participant, against $149,733 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $17,921.
Northern Arizona University placed #23 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 984, alongside a GSR of 87%. Its federal graduation rate is 47%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $124,781, against $124,781 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $13,581 per athlete.
Lamar University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 979, with a Graduation Success Rate of 93%. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. The program generates about $124,418 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $123,465 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,491.
Tarleton State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Stephenville, TX, Tarleton State University is a public institution. Tarleton State University records an NCAA APR of 972, alongside a GSR of 91%. About 56% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $165,252 in revenue per athlete, compared with $165,252 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,883 per athlete.
Not far behind, these colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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.
