by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 12 colleges for Men’s Golf (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for Men's Golf (Division I). Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $266,683, against $266,683 in expenses. The school awards about $42,235 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville landed the #2 spot for Men's Golf (Division I). The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 83%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,396, with expenses of about $189,658 per participant. Athletic aid averages $29,054 per athlete.
Belmont University is one of the top schools for Men's Golf (Division I), at #3. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. Team revenue averages $49,874 per participant, against $49,874 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $21,742 per athlete.
Lipscomb University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Men's Golf (Division I). Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 979, alongside a GSR of 88%. About 86% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $61,624 in revenue per athlete, against $61,624 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $18,176 per athlete.
University of Memphis came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Men's Golf (Division I). This public school is set in Memphis, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. Team revenue averages $62,176 per participant, with expenses of about $62,176 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,106.
East Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Johnson City, TN, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 984, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 50%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $109,425, compared with $109,425 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,444 in athletic aid per athlete.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 967, with a Graduation Success Rate of 86%. About 44% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $71,379, against $71,379 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,110.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Cookeville, TN, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 977, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 82%. The program generates about $31,502 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $31,502 per participant. The school awards about $14,453 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga placed #9 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 971, alongside a GSR of 92%. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $58,907, with expenses of about $58,907 per participant. Athletic aid averages $13,025 per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Martin landed the #10 spot this year. This public school is set in Martin, TN. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 57% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,308, with expenses of about $33,875 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,021.
Austin Peay State University landed the #11 spot this year. Located in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 964, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. About 89% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $48,958, against $48,958 in expenses. The school awards about $13,483 in athletic aid per athlete.
Tennessee State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Tennessee State University records an NCAA APR of 916, and a 80% Graduation Success Rate. About 60% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $28,621 per participant, against $28,621 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,651.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.