by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. This list ranks 25 schools for Women’s Basketball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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.
Looking for a different division or a related ranking? Jump to the options below.
Learn more about these schools below:
Our analysis found Rice University to be the best college for Women's Basketball (Division I) in Texas. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 85% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $288,407 in revenue per athlete, compared with $288,407 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $41,166 per athlete.
Southern Methodist University is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division I), at #2. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University records an NCAA APR of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. 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. Athletic aid averages $56,388 per athlete.
Baylor University landed the #3 spot for Women's Basketball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Waco, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 59%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $274,382, compared with $274,382 spent per athlete. The school awards about $30,455 in athletic aid per athlete.
Abilene Christian University is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division I), at #4. Based in Abilene, TX, Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 75%. Team revenue averages $136,397 per participant, with expenses of about $152,694 per participant. The school awards about $26,012 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas Christian University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division I). Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 964, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. 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.
Texas A&M University-College Station landed the #6 spot this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A&M University-College Station is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. About 60% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $94,214, against $604,158 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $17,123.
University of North Texas placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). This public school is set in Denton, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. The federal graduation rate stands at 54%. Team revenue averages $222,355 per participant, against $222,355 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,504.
Texas State University placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 994, and a 85% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 62%. The program generates about $219,957 in revenue per athlete, compared with $219,957 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,371.
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Austin, TX, The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990, alongside a GSR of 83%. 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. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,650.
Texas Tech University landed the #10 spot this year. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 86%. The federal graduation rate stands at 25%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $147,725, with expenses of about $473,348 per participant. Athletic aid averages $13,662 per athlete.
Houston Christian University landed the #11 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 990, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 81%. Team revenue averages $100,054 per participant, against $100,054 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $20,924 per athlete.
The University of Texas at San Antonio did well this year, earning the #12 position. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. The program generates about $91,124 in revenue per athlete, compared with $91,124 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $16,155 per athlete.
University of Houston landed the #13 spot this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University of Houston records an NCAA APR of 965, alongside a GSR of 79%. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $263,252, against $263,252 in expenses. The school awards about $15,948 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Texas at Arlington did well this year, earning the #14 position. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 956, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. The federal graduation rate stands at 77%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $164,966, against $164,966 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $12,666.
Lamar University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 979, and a 93% Graduation Success Rate. About 56% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $124,418 per participant, with expenses of about $123,465 per participant. Athletic aid averages $13,491 per athlete.
The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #16 in this year's ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. The University of Texas at El Paso records an NCAA APR of 986, alongside a GSR of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 23%. The program generates about $100,111 in revenue per athlete, compared with $150,281 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,754.
Tarleton State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Tarleton State University is a public school based in Stephenville, TX. Tarleton State University records an NCAA APR of 972, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. About 56% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $165,252 per participant, compared with $165,252 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,883 per athlete.
University of the Incarnate Word did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Antonio, TX. University of the Incarnate Word records an NCAA APR of 990, alongside a GSR of 90%. The federal graduation rate stands at 33%. The program generates about $65,579 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $65,579 per participant. Athletic aid averages $18,744 per athlete.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #19 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Located in Edinburg, TX, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 986, alongside a GSR of 94%. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. The program generates about $92,963 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $92,963 per participant. The school awards about $9,144 in athletic aid per athlete.
Sam Houston State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. Sam Houston State University records an NCAA APR of 973, and a 85% Graduation Success Rate. About 44% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $114,040, compared with $114,040 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,743 in athletic aid per athlete.
East Texas A&M University landed the #21 spot this year. This public school is set in Commerce, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 975, and a 74% Graduation Success Rate. About 31% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $108,226 in revenue per athlete, compared with $108,153 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $12,747 per athlete.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #22 spot this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a public school based in Nacogdoches, TX. Stephen F Austin State University records an NCAA APR of 957, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. The federal graduation rate stands at 63%. The program generates about $112,368 in revenue per athlete, compared with $112,368 spent per athlete. The school awards about $8,595 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Corpus Christi, TX, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, and a 79% Graduation Success Rate. About 57% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $74,976, with expenses of about $74,976 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $10,202.
Prairie View A & M University ranked #24 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division I). Based in Prairie View, TX, Prairie View A & M University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 966, and a 50% Graduation Success Rate. About 47% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $74,695 per participant, compared with $74,695 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $7,400 per athlete.
Texas Southern University landed the #25 spot this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. Texas Southern University records an NCAA APR of 941, alongside a GSR of 76%. The federal graduation rate stands at 42%. Team revenue averages $80,698 per participant, compared with $80,698 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $8,795 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Programs are scored on 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.