by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. This list ranks 14 colleges for Women’s Basketball (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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:
Our analysis found Gannon University to be the best college for Women's Basketball (Division II) in Pennsylvania. Located in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $65,534 in revenue per athlete, against $65,534 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,313.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. The program generates about $61,612 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $61,612 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,341.
Mercyhurst University earned the #3 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Erie, PA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 965, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 82%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $75,096, against $75,096 in expenses. The school awards about $14,194 in athletic aid per athlete.
Seton Hill University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Greensburg, PA. Team revenue averages $23,660 per participant, against $23,660 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,657.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #5 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division II). Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Team revenue averages $35,590 per participant, compared with $37,460 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,168.
Holy Family University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Team revenue averages $34,491 per participant, against $34,470 in expenses. The school awards about $5,523 in athletic aid per athlete.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division II). This public school is set in Millersville, PA. The program generates about $40,136 in revenue per athlete, against $40,136 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $2,830 per athlete.
Point Park University landed the #8 spot this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Point Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $15,959 per participant, against $15,832 in expenses. The school awards about $6,401 in athletic aid per athlete.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Team revenue averages $22,452 per participant, with expenses of about $22,033 per participant. Athletic aid averages $2,028 per athlete.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot this year. Based in Kutztown, PA, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The program generates about $44,897 in revenue per athlete, against $34,821 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $1,904 per athlete.
Chestnut Hill College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Chestnut Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $17,280 per participant, against $17,374 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $4,192.
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Johnstown, PA, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown is a public institution. The program generates about $31,324 in revenue per athlete, compared with $31,324 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $5,196 per athlete.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division II). Located in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The program generates about $41,275 in revenue per athlete, against $45,612 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,132.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division II). Based in East Stroudsburg, PA, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $29,317, with expenses of about $28,564 per participant. The school awards about $2,313 in athletic aid per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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.