by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. Our ranking highlights 12 schools for Women’s Basketball (Division III) 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:
Austin College tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Sherman, TX. The program generates about $12,339 in revenue per athlete, against $12,509 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
University of Dallas came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Irving, TX, University of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $11,413 in revenue per athlete, against $11,413 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor earned the #3 place for student athletes. Based in Belton, TX, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $15,949 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $15,949 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
LeTourneau University landed the #4 spot for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Longview, TX, LeTourneau University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,916, with expenses of about $10,916 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Hardin-Simmons University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Hardin-Simmons University is a private not-for-profit school based in Abilene, TX. The program generates about $14,002 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $10,703 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Texas Lutheran University landed the #6 spot this year. Based in Seguin, TX, Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $6,988 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $7,133 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Concordia University Texas did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Austin, TX, Concordia University Texas is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $12,218, compared with $12,218 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
East Texas Baptist University landed the #8 spot this year. Located in Marshall, TX, East Texas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $10,123 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $10,123 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
McMurry University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Abilene, TX, McMurry University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $13,636, against $13,636 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Schreiner University placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Basketball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Kerrville, TX. The program generates about $9,323 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,865 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Sul Ross State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Alpine, TX. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $16,332, compared with $13,254 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $891 per athlete.
Howard Payne University ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Basketball (Division III). Based in Brownwood, TX, Howard Payne University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $7,774 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $7,774 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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.