by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 11 schools for Women’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:
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 college for Women's Golf (Division I). Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 71% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $214,738 in revenue per athlete, against $214,738 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $42,235 per athlete.
Belmont University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Belmont University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Belmont University records an NCAA APR of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 88% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $58,891 in revenue per athlete, against $58,891 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,742.
Lipscomb University is one of the top schools for Women's Golf (Division I), at #3. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 89% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $76,474, compared with $76,474 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,176.
University of Memphis came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Golf (Division I). This public school is set in Memphis, TN. University of Memphis records an NCAA APR of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 100% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $85,434 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $85,434 per participant. Athletic aid averages $16,106 per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is one of the top schools for Women's Golf (Division I), at #5. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 985, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $15,699 in revenue per athlete, compared with $221,564 spent per athlete. The school awards about $29,054 in athletic aid per athlete.
Tennessee Technological University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Cookeville, TN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 993, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,145, compared with $34,145 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $14,453 per athlete.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is a public school based in Murfreesboro, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 986, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 75%. Team revenue averages $54,563 per participant, with expenses of about $54,563 per participant. Athletic aid averages $20,110 per athlete.
Austin Peay State University placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Golf (Division I). Based in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Team revenue averages $49,453 per participant, with expenses of about $49,453 per participant. Athletic aid averages $13,483 per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Golf (Division I). This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $86,946, compared with $86,946 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,025.
Tennessee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list for Women's Golf (Division I). Based in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Tennessee State University records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 75%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,956, compared with $34,956 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,651.
East Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #11 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 981, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. The program generates about $56,800 in revenue per athlete, compared with $56,800 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,444 in athletic aid per athlete.
*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.