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Point Loma Nazarene University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamFor student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 259 schools for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, 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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Point Loma Nazarene University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Harding University landed the #2 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Biola University landed the #3 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Biola University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Mirada, CA.
Colorado School of Mines earned the #4 place for student athletes. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School of Mines is a public institution.
Union University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, TN.
Nova Southeastern University placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #7 spot this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Michigan Technological University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houghton, MI.
Azusa Pacific University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Azusa, CA.
Seattle Pacific University landed the #10 spot this year. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Eckerd College did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Petersburg, FL.
Rollins College placed #12 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Winter Park, FL, Rollins College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Florida Institute of Technology landed the #13 spot this year. Florida Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Melbourne, FL.
Bentley University ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Dominican University of California landed the #15 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Rafael, CA.
Lewis University ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Romeoville, IL, Lewis University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Gannon University landed the #17 spot this year. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Erie, PA.
Rockhurst University landed the #18 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kansas City, MO.
Adelphi University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Grand Valley State University landed the #20 spot this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI.
Dallas Baptist University placed #21 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX.
Maryville University of Saint Louis did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit institution.
Florida Southern College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Florida Southern College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL.
Westmont College placed #24 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Westmont College is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Barbara, CA.
Northwest Nazarene University placed #25 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nampa, ID.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
These schools also stood out this year:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO |
| 52 | Saint Anselm College | Manchester, NH |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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.
