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 programs for Women’s Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found St Olaf College to be the best college for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States in the The Plains States Region. Based in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $6,232 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $6,079 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Grinnell College ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. Based in Grinnell, IA, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,045, against $2,045 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Cornell College earned the #3 place for student athletes. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mount Vernon, IA. The program generates about $4,643 in revenue per athlete, against $3,862 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Loras College earned the #4 place for student athletes. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,428, compared with $4,428 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
University of Northwestern-St Paul landed the #5 spot for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. Located in Saint Paul, MN, University of Northwestern-St Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $4,013 per participant, compared with $4,013 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Webster University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Team revenue averages $6,001 per participant, against $6,380 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Martin Luther College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in New Ulm, MN, Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $1,490 per participant, compared with $1,490 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Augsburg University placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Team revenue averages $7,127 per participant, against $7,127 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Wartburg College placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. Located in Waverly, IA, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,927, compared with $1,927 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Coe College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $3,422 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $3,422 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Bethany Lutheran College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Bethany Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mankato, MN. The program generates about $2,981 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $3,033 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Dubuque placed #12 among the best colleges for Women's Cross Country (Division III) in Plains States. Located in Dubuque, IA, University of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $3,447 per participant, against $3,422 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.