by our College Data Analytics TeamPicking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. Our ranking highlights 21 programs for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States 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 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States in the The Plains States Region. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public institution.
University of Missouri-Columbia earned the #2 place for student athletes. Based in Columbia, MO, University of Missouri-Columbia is a public institution.
University of Kansas came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. Based in Lawrence, KS, University of Kansas is a public institution.
University of Iowa earned the #4 place for student athletes. Based in Iowa City, IA, University of Iowa is a public institution.
Kansas State University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution.
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution.
Creighton University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE.
Saint Louis University landed the #9 spot this year. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of North Dakota came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University of North Dakota is a public institution.
Wichita State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution.
Drake University landed the #12 spot this year. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Missouri State University-Springfield did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University-Springfield is a public institution.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public institution.
University of Missouri-Kansas City came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kansas City, MO.
University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE.
University of Northern Iowa came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University of Northern Iowa is a public institution.
University of South Dakota ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. University of South Dakota is a public school based in Vermillion, SD.
Lindenwood University landed the #19 spot this year. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Charles, MO.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. Southeast Missouri State University is a public school based in Cape Girardeau, MO.
South Dakota State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division I) in Plains States. This public school is set in Brookings, SD.
*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
See our data sources and methodologies.
