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Our analysis found Emory University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division III) in the Southeast Region. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamChoosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 42 programs for Student Athletes (Division III) 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Emory University to be the best college for Student Athletes (Division III) in the Southeast Region. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Washington and Lee University landed the #2 spot for Student Athletes (Division III). Washington and Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, VA.
Rhodes College earned the #3 place for student athletes. Based in Memphis, TN, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Christopher Newport University landed the #4 spot for Student Athletes (Division III). Based in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution.
Centre College earned the #5 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Danville, KY.
Berry College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Mount Berry, GA, Berry College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Randolph-Macon College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Ashland, VA, Randolph-Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Mary Washington placed #8 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division III). This public school is set in Fredericksburg, VA.
Covenant College placed #9 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division III). Located in Lookout Mountain, GA, Covenant College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Shenandoah University landed the #10 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winchester, VA.
Transylvania University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Lexington, KY, Transylvania University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Lynchburg ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division III). Located in Lynchburg, VA, University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution.
Hendrix College did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Conway, AR.
Asbury University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Wilmore, KY, Asbury University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Berea College ranked #15 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division III). Located in Berea, KY, Berea College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Roanoke College placed #16 among the best colleges for Student Athletes (Division III). Located in Salem, VA, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution.
Spalding University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Louisville, KY.
Oglethorpe University ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division III). Oglethorpe University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA.
Lyon College ranked #19 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Batesville, AR.
Belhaven University landed the #20 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS.
Millsaps College landed the #21 spot this year. Millsaps College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, MS.
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte did well this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Charlotte, NC.
Regent University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA.
Mary Baldwin University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Staunton, VA, Mary Baldwin University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Eastern Mennonite University landed the #25 spot this year. Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit school based in Harrisonburg, VA.
These programs also stood out among the best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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
See our data sources and methodologies.