by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 12 schools for Women’s Cross Country (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluates each program using 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 Sonoma State University to be the best college for Women's Cross Country (Division II) in the Far Western Region. Located in Rohnert Park, CA, Sonoma State University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $27,655, with expenses of about $27,655 per participant. The school awards about $3,732 in athletic aid per athlete.
California State University-San Bernardino earned the #2 place for student athletes. California State University-San Bernardino is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA. Team revenue averages $27,973 per participant, against $27,520 in expenses. The school awards about $5,698 in athletic aid per athlete.
California State University-Los Angeles came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution. Team revenue averages $11,510 per participant, against $11,510 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $3,687.
University of California-Merced came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Cross Country (Division II). This public school is set in Merced, CA. Team revenue averages $8,666 per participant, compared with $8,666 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $1,179.
California State University-Chico ranked #5 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division II). This public school is set in Chico, CA. Team revenue averages $9,257 per participant, against $6,505 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $2,367 per athlete.
University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Located in Hilo, HI, University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public institution. The program generates about $17,272 in revenue per athlete, compared with $17,272 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $6,498 per athlete.
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA. Team revenue averages $10,595 per participant, compared with $10,595 spent per athlete. The school awards about $2,480 in athletic aid per athlete.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt landed the #8 spot this year. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public school based in Arcata, CA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $9,849, compared with $11,366 spent per athlete. The school awards about $4,418 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Alaska Anchorage placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Based in Anchorage, AK, University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. Team revenue averages $20,941 per participant, with expenses of about $20,941 per participant. The school awards about $7,371 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Alaska Fairbanks placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Based in Fairbanks, AK, University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $11,181, against $10,879 in expenses. The school awards about $12,144 in athletic aid per athlete.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #11 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Honolulu, HI. Team revenue averages $9,816 per participant, against $9,816 in expenses. The school awards about $7,034 in athletic aid per athlete.
Western Oregon University ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Based in Monmouth, OR, Western Oregon University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,772, against $6,772 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $2,713 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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.
