by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 11 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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Learn more about these schools below:
Our analysis found Bentley University to be the best college for Women's Basketball (Division II) in the New England Region. Located in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $96,059 in revenue per athlete, compared with $87,028 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $8,029 per athlete.
Saint Anselm College earned the #2 place for student athletes. Based in Manchester, NH, Saint Anselm College is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $67,267, against $65,521 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $5,219 per athlete.
Saint Michael's College came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Colchester, VT. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $60,664, compared with $60,664 spent per athlete. The school awards about $7,634 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of New Haven is one of the top schools for Women's Basketball (Division II), at #4. Located in West Haven, CT, University of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $63,086 per participant, with expenses of about $62,818 per participant. Athletic aid averages $7,566 per athlete.
Assumption University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division II). Based in Worcester, MA, Assumption University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $56,583 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $56,131 per participant. The school awards about $4,778 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Bridgeport ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division II). University of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit school based in Bridgeport, CT. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $30,443, compared with $29,716 spent per athlete. The school awards about $9,070 in athletic aid per athlete.
Southern Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Southern Connecticut State University is a public school based in New Haven, CT. Team revenue averages $56,355 per participant, against $56,355 in expenses. The school awards about $4,062 in athletic aid per athlete.
American International College ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division II). American International College is a private not-for-profit school based in Springfield, MA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $37,488, against $37,488 in expenses. The school awards about $11,241 in athletic aid per athlete.
Southern New Hampshire University landed the #9 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Manchester, NH. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $47,897, with expenses of about $47,897 per participant. The school awards about $4,849 in athletic aid per athlete.
Franklin Pierce University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Rindge, NH, Franklin Pierce University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $34,074 per participant, compared with $34,074 spent per athlete. The school awards about $292 in athletic aid per athlete.
Post University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Post University is a private for-profit school based in Waterbury, CT. Team revenue averages $26,850 per participant, compared with $26,613 spent per athlete. The school awards about $8,848 in athletic aid per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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
See our data sources and methodologies.