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Point Loma Nazarene University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA.
by our College Data Analytics TeamChoosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 21 schools for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Point Loma Nazarene University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA.
Dominican University of California is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division II), at #2. Based in San Rafael, CA, Dominican University of California is a private not-for-profit institution.
Biola University earned the #3 place for student athletes. Biola University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Mirada, CA.
Azusa Pacific University is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division II), at #4. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Azusa, CA.
Westmont College landed the #5 spot for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Westmont College is a private not-for-profit institution.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public institution.
Concordia University-Irvine landed the #7 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA.
Fresno Pacific University placed #8 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Fresno, CA.
California State University-San Bernardino landed the #9 spot this year. California State University-San Bernardino is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA.
California State University-Monterey Bay did well this year, earning the #10 position. California State University-Monterey Bay is a public school based in Seaside, CA.
Sonoma State University landed the #11 spot this year. Sonoma State University is a public school based in Rohnert Park, CA.
University of California-Merced came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Merced, CA, University of California-Merced is a public institution.
California State University-Chico ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). This public school is set in Chico, CA.
California State University-Stanislaus ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). California State University-Stanislaus is a public school based in Turlock, CA.
Menlo College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Menlo College is a private not-for-profit school based in Atherton, CA.
California State University-East Bay placed #16 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). California State University-East Bay is a public school based in Hayward, CA.
California State University-Los Angeles placed #17 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Located in Los Angeles, CA, California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution.
California State University-San Marcos placed #18 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in San Marcos, CA, California State University-San Marcos is a public institution.
California State University-Dominguez Hills ranked #19 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). California State University-Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA.
San Francisco State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt landed the #21 spot this year. Based in Arcata, CA, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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.
