1
Rice University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamFor student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 25 colleges for Student Athletes (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, 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.
Looking for a different division or a related ranking? Pick a path below.
Explore the leading programs below:
Rice University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Baylor University landed the #2 spot for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Southern Methodist University came in at #3 on this year's ranking 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). This public school is set in Austin, TX.
Texas Christian University ranked #5 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX.
Abilene Christian University placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Abilene, TX.
Texas A&M University-College Station did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX.
Texas Tech University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution.
The University of Texas at San Antonio did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution.
University of Houston landed the #10 spot this year. Located in Houston, TX, University of Houston is a public institution.
Texas State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is a public institution.
The University of Texas at Arlington did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Arlington, TX.
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #13 spot this year. Based in El Paso, TX, The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution.
Houston Christian University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Houston Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX.
Sam Houston State University placed #15 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution.
University of North Texas landed the #16 spot this year. Located in Denton, TX, University of North Texas is a public institution.
University of the Incarnate Word placed #17 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). Located in San Antonio, TX, University of the Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Edinburg, TX, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi landed the #19 spot this year. Located in Corpus Christi, TX, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is a public institution.
Tarleton State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Stephenville, TX, Tarleton State University is a public institution.
Lamar University landed the #21 spot this year. Based in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution.
East Texas A&M University ranked #22 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). Based in Commerce, TX, East Texas A&M University is a public institution.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot this year. Located in Nacogdoches, TX, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution.
Texas Southern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I). Texas Southern University is a public school based in Houston, TX.
Prairie View A & M University placed #25 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division I). This public school is set in Prairie View, TX.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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.