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Leading the list is Thomas Jefferson University, our #1 college for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamPicking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. This list ranks 31 colleges for Student Athletes (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual scores each program on 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:
Leading the list is Thomas Jefferson University, our #1 college for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Gannon University is one of the top schools for Student Athletes (Division II), at #2. Based in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Adelphi University ranked #3 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Garden City, NY.
Molloy University earned the #4 place for student athletes. Located in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Seton Hill University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes (Division II). Seton Hill University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greensburg, PA.
Pace University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in New York, NY, Pace University is a private not-for-profit institution.
St. Thomas Aquinas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Sparkill, NY, St. Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Le Moyne College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Syracuse, NY, Le Moyne College is a private not-for-profit institution.
West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year's ranking. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA.
Mercyhurst University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Erie, PA.
Point Park University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA.
D'Youville University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Buffalo, NY, D'Youville University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Daemen University ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Daemen University is a private not-for-profit school based in Amherst, NY.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public school based in Slippery Rock, PA.
Holy Family University ranked #15 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA.
Caldwell University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Caldwell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, NJ.
Georgian Court University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Roberts Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot this year. Based in Rochester, NY, Roberts Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Goldey-Beacom College placed #19 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Goldey-Beacom College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilmington, DE.
University of the District of Columbia came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Washington, DC.
Felician University landed the #21 spot this year. Located in Lodi, NJ, Felician University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Dominican University New York placed #22 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Orangeburg, NY.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Millersville, PA.
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown ranked #24 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Johnstown, PA, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown is a public institution.
Mercy University placed #25 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division II). Based in Dobbs Ferry, NY, Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.