by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 8 colleges for Women’s Basketball (Division II) 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.
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Explore the leading programs below:
Leading the list is Michigan Technological University, our #1 college for Women's Basketball (Division II). Michigan Technological University is a public school based in Houghton, MI. The program generates about $48,664 in revenue per athlete, compared with $48,664 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,159.
Grand Valley State University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $64,422 per participant, against $63,292 in expenses. The school awards about $6,088 in athletic aid per athlete.
Northern Michigan University earned the #3 place for student athletes. This public school is set in Marquette, MI. Team revenue averages $52,192 per participant, with expenses of about $52,664 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,323.
Northwood University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). Located in Midland, MI, Northwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $43,680 in revenue per athlete, against $43,680 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,948.
Lake Superior State University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Located in Sault Ste Marie, MI, Lake Superior State University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $35,502, compared with $35,502 spent per athlete. The school awards about $8,276 in athletic aid per athlete.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in University Center, MI, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $51,755 per participant, with expenses of about $51,755 per participant. The school awards about $5,118 in athletic aid per athlete.
Davenport University placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division II). Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Davenport University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $51,697 per participant, against $51,697 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,850.
Ferris State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $49,920 per participant, against $49,920 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,572.
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.