by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 13 colleges for Men’s Cross Country (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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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Our analysis found Gannon University to be the best college for Men's Cross Country (Division II) in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $11,808 in revenue per athlete, compared with $11,808 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $9,313 per athlete.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Men's Cross Country (Division II). Located in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $16,879 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $16,879 per participant. Athletic aid averages $13,341 per athlete.
Molloy University is one of the top schools for Men's Cross Country (Division II), at #3. Based in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $5,467 in revenue per athlete, against $5,191 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $5,589 per athlete.
Adelphi University landed the #4 spot for Men's Cross Country (Division II). Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit school based in Garden City, NY. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,659, compared with $4,659 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,963.
Mercyhurst University landed the #5 spot for Men's Cross Country (Division II). Based in Erie, PA, Mercyhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 960. The program generates about $18,388 in revenue per athlete, against $18,388 in expenses. The school awards about $14,194 in athletic aid per athlete.
Pace University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Men's Cross Country (Division II). Located in New York, NY, Pace University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $4,366 per participant, compared with $3,590 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,466.
Holy Family University placed #7 among the best colleges for Men's Cross Country (Division II). Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Team revenue averages $5,086 per participant, with expenses of about $4,586 per participant. Athletic aid averages $5,523 per athlete.
Roberts Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Men's Cross Country (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,980, with expenses of about $4,721 per participant. The school awards about $3,925 in athletic aid per athlete.
D'Youville University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Buffalo, NY, D'Youville University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $8,735 in revenue per athlete, compared with $8,735 spent per athlete. The school awards about $8,393 in athletic aid per athlete.
Goldey-Beacom College ranked #10 on our 2026 list for Men's Cross Country (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilmington, DE. Team revenue averages $4,920 per participant, with expenses of about $4,920 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,149.
Dominican University New York did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orangeburg, NY. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,613, compared with $4,613 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $4,678 per athlete.
Bowie State University landed the #12 spot this year. Bowie State University is a public school based in Bowie, MD. Team revenue averages $9,889 per participant, compared with $737 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $2,581 per athlete.
Frostburg State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Frostburg, MD. The program generates about $807 in revenue per athlete, compared with $807 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $3,617 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.