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Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 college for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamChoosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 35 schools for Student Athletes (Division I) 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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Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 college for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Baylor University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Located in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Southern Methodist University landed the #3 spot for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution.
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #4 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Austin, TX, The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is a public institution.
Texas Christian University landed the #6 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX.
University of Arizona landed the #7 spot this year. University of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ.
University of Tulsa did well this year, earning the #8 position. University of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit school based in Tulsa, OK.
Abilene Christian University landed the #9 spot this year. Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Abilene, TX.
Texas A&M University-College Station came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A&M University-College Station is a public institution.
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a public institution.
Texas Tech University landed the #12 spot this year. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus placed #14 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a public institution.
The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #15 in this year's ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX.
University of Houston ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). University of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX.
Texas State University landed the #17 spot this year. Texas State University is a public school based in San Marcos, TX.
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #18 in this year's ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX.
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #19 spot this year. Based in El Paso, TX, The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution.
Houston Christian University placed #20 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Houston Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX.
Northern Arizona University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution.
University of North Texas came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Denton, TX.
Sam Houston State University placed #23 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution.
Oral Roberts University placed #24 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Tulsa, OK, Oral Roberts University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of the Incarnate Word ranked #25 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). University of the Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit school based in San Antonio, TX.
Not far behind, these colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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.
