by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. This list ranks 15 programs for Women’s Basketball (Division III) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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.
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Explore the leading programs below:
Washington and Lee University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Lexington, VA. The program generates about $16,928 in revenue per athlete, compared with $16,883 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Christopher Newport University landed the #2 spot for Women's Basketball (Division III). Christopher Newport University is a public school based in Newport News, VA. Team revenue averages $25,335 per participant, against $25,335 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Mary Washington earned the #3 place for student athletes. University of Mary Washington is a public school based in Fredericksburg, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $20,722, against $21,164 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Randolph-Macon College landed the #4 spot for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Ashland, VA, Randolph-Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $16,497 in revenue per athlete, against $15,788 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Shenandoah University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winchester, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,839, against $8,839 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Roanoke College landed the #6 spot this year. Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit school based in Salem, VA. The program generates about $9,629 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,629 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Mary Baldwin University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Staunton, VA. The program generates about $13,924 in revenue per athlete, compared with $13,924 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
University of Lynchburg came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Lynchburg, VA, University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $8,895 per participant, compared with $8,895 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Regent University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. Team revenue averages $12,056 per participant, with expenses of about $12,056 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Virginia Wesleyan University landed the #10 spot this year. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, Virginia Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $14,310 in revenue per athlete, compared with $14,310 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Eastern Mennonite University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,606, against $10,606 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Randolph College placed #12 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division III). Randolph College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,368, against $6,368 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Southern Virginia University placed #13 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Buena Vista, VA, Southern Virginia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $12,428 per participant, with expenses of about $12,428 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $90.
Averett University ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Danville, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,258, compared with $8,258 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Ferrum College ranked #15 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Ferrum, VA, Ferrum College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $10,040 per participant, compared with $10,040 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.