by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. This list ranks 32 schools for Men’s Golf (Division I) 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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Learn more about these schools below:
Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. The program generates about $133,289 in revenue per athlete, compared with $133,289 spent per athlete. The school awards about $56,388 in athletic aid per athlete.
Baylor University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Men's Golf (Division I). Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Team revenue averages $148,695 per participant, against $148,695 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $30,455 per athlete.
Rice University came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Men's Golf (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 71%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $98,179, against $98,179 in expenses. The school awards about $41,166 in athletic aid per athlete.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion ranked #4 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. The program generates about $268,261 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $268,261 per participant. Athletic aid averages $27,490 per athlete.
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #5 spot for Men's Golf (Division I). Based in Austin, TX, The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 993, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Team revenue averages $61,404 per participant, with expenses of about $221,451 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,650.
Abilene Christian University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Abilene, TX. Abilene Christian University records an NCAA APR of 993, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 88%. The program generates about $63,510 in revenue per athlete, compared with $59,394 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $26,012 per athlete.
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $40,631, with expenses of about $189,134 per participant. Athletic aid averages $27,789 per athlete.
Texas Christian University placed #8 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University records an NCAA APR of 973, alongside a GSR of 88%. About 71% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $134,971 in revenue per athlete, against $134,971 in expenses. The school awards about $37,174 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus landed the #9 spot this year. University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a public school based in Albuquerque, NM. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. The federal graduation rate stands at 73%. The program generates about $64,264 in revenue per athlete, against $64,264 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,510.
The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #10 spot this year. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 86% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $65,068 per participant, compared with $65,068 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,155.
University of Arizona placed #11 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). University of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University of Arizona records an NCAA APR of 973, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 46% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $153,171 per participant, with expenses of about $153,171 per participant. Athletic aid averages $20,887 per athlete.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus landed the #12 spot this year. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 29% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $75,891 per participant, compared with $150,966 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $12,335 per athlete.
University of Houston landed the #13 spot this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University of Houston records an NCAA APR of 989, alongside a GSR of 85%. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $72,173 per participant, with expenses of about $72,173 per participant. Athletic aid averages $15,948 per athlete.
The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in El Paso, TX, The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. About 78% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $42,663, against $65,925 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $18,754 per athlete.
Texas State University landed the #15 spot this year. Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 984, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 75%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $56,661, compared with $56,661 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,371.
Lamar University ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Men's Golf (Division I). This public school is set in Beaumont, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 89% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $58,335, compared with $57,580 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,491.
Houston Christian University placed #17 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 57% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $46,370, compared with $46,370 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $20,924 per athlete.
Texas A&M University-College Station came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A&M University-College Station is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 969, with a Graduation Success Rate of 89%. About 70% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $21,012 in revenue per athlete, against $157,499 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $17,123 per athlete.
University of North Texas placed #19 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). Based in Denton, TX, University of North Texas is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 44% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $48,831, against $48,831 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,504.
Oral Roberts University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 78% Graduation Success Rate. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $58,655 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $58,655 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,443.
Grand Canyon University placed #21 among the best colleges for Men's Golf (Division I). Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Grand Canyon University records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 40%. The program generates about $49,904 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $49,904 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,958.
University of the Incarnate Word landed the #22 spot this year. Based in San Antonio, TX, University of the Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. University of the Incarnate Word records an NCAA APR of 984, with a Graduation Success Rate of 83%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. The program generates about $47,262 in revenue per athlete, compared with $47,262 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $18,744 per athlete.
Texas Tech University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 981, alongside a GSR of 86%. The federal graduation rate stands at 40%. The program generates about $33,626 in revenue per athlete, compared with $170,135 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,662 per athlete.
Sam Houston State University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 992, alongside a GSR of 75%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. Team revenue averages $60,326 per participant, with expenses of about $60,326 per participant. Athletic aid averages $11,743 per athlete.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #25 position. New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public school based in Las Cruces, NM. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 75% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 40%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $43,939, compared with $43,939 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $17,921 per athlete.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*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
See our data sources and methodologies.
