by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 13 colleges for Women’s Cross Country (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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.
Not quite what you need? Pick a path below.
Explore the leading programs below:
Leading the list is Thomas Jefferson University, our #1 college for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Located in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $18,254, against $18,254 in expenses. The school awards about $13,341 in athletic aid per athlete.
Gannon University is one of the top schools for Women's Cross Country (Division II), at #2. This private not-for-profit school is set in Erie, PA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $5,879, compared with $5,879 spent per athlete. The school awards about $9,313 in athletic aid per athlete.
Molloy University earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,279, compared with $5,805 spent per athlete. The school awards about $5,589 in athletic aid per athlete.
Adelphi University ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Garden City, NY. Team revenue averages $5,058 per participant, with expenses of about $5,058 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,963.
Mercyhurst University landed the #5 spot for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Based in Erie, PA, Mercyhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000. Team revenue averages $18,017 per participant, with expenses of about $18,017 per participant. Athletic aid averages $14,194 per athlete.
Pace University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Team revenue averages $3,190 per participant, against $3,466 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $7,466 per athlete.
Roberts Wesleyan University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Rochester, NY, Roberts Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $7,412 in revenue per athlete, against $6,435 in expenses. The school awards about $3,925 in athletic aid per athlete.
Holy Family University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Holy Family University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Team revenue averages $5,351 per participant, compared with $5,351 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,523.
Goldey-Beacom College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilmington, DE. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,769, with expenses of about $6,769 per participant. Athletic aid averages $5,149 per athlete.
University of the District of Columbia came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, University of the District of Columbia is a public institution. Team revenue averages $10,005 per participant, compared with $10,005 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,638 per athlete.
Bowie State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Women's Cross Country (Division II). This public school is set in Bowie, MD. The program generates about $18,260 in revenue per athlete, compared with $1,947 spent per athlete. The school awards about $2,581 in athletic aid per athlete.
Frostburg State University placed #12 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division II). Located in Frostburg, MD, Frostburg State University is a public institution. The program generates about $748 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $748 per participant. The school awards about $3,617 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.