by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 45 colleges for Women’s Lacrosse (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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No school ranked higher than University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus this year for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 993. The program generates about $51,943 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $51,943 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $30,613.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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 85%. Team revenue averages $63,348 per participant, compared with $63,348 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,379.
Villanova University earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University records an NCAA APR of 999, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 87%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $41,124, compared with $41,124 spent per athlete. The school awards about $25,480 in athletic aid per athlete.
Drexel University ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 77%. Team revenue averages $45,796 per participant, against $45,796 in expenses. The school awards about $25,843 in athletic aid per athlete.
Temple University landed the #5 spot for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The team's NCAA APR score is 995, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 97%. Team revenue averages $51,243 per participant, with expenses of about $51,243 per participant. Athletic aid averages $28,567 per athlete.
University of Maryland-College Park did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 91% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $17,222 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $63,584 per participant. Athletic aid averages $30,606 per athlete.
Lehigh University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 93%. Team revenue averages $41,805 per participant, compared with $41,805 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,391.
George Washington University landed the #8 spot this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. Its federal graduation rate is 74%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $40,983, with expenses of about $40,983 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $29,880.
Syracuse University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 96%. Team revenue averages $32,201 per participant, against $78,468 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $33,068 per athlete.
Lafayette College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. Lafayette College records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 94% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $40,570 per participant, compared with $40,570 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $18,987 per athlete.
Georgetown University landed the #11 spot this year. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 998, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 96% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $57,384 per participant, against $57,384 in expenses. The school awards about $14,232 in athletic aid per athlete.
Loyola University Maryland landed the #12 spot this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Maryland records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 91%. The program generates about $55,137 in revenue per athlete, against $55,137 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $14,638 per athlete.
Hofstra University ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hempstead, NY. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 63%. The program generates about $47,280 in revenue per athlete, compared with $47,280 spent per athlete. The school awards about $22,514 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Delaware landed the #14 spot this year. University of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. The team's NCAA APR score is 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 94%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $33,954, with expenses of about $33,954 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $24,002.
Colgate University landed the #15 spot this year. Located in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 993, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $42,551 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $42,551 per participant. The school awards about $22,658 in athletic aid per athlete.
Monmouth University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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 85%. Team revenue averages $37,819 per participant, compared with $37,819 spent per athlete. The school awards about $20,376 in athletic aid per athlete.
Bucknell University landed the #17 spot this year. Located in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University records an NCAA APR of 993, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $43,386, compared with $43,386 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $19,655 per athlete.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus landed the #18 spot this year. Based in University Park, PA, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public institution. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 998, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 86%. The program generates about $16,173 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $52,249 per participant. Athletic aid averages $25,170 per athlete.
Towson University landed the #19 spot this year. Located in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 84%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,774, compared with $34,774 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,919.
American University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. The program generates about $26,650 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $26,650 per participant. Athletic aid averages $18,519 per athlete.
Princeton University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Team revenue averages $32,477 per participant, compared with $32,477 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Marist University ranked #22 on our 2026 list for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 89% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $28,087, against $28,087 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,661.
Niagara University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 996, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 81%. Team revenue averages $28,942 per participant, compared with $28,942 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $17,462.
Mount St. Mary's University placed #24 among the best colleges for Women's Lacrosse (Division I). Mount St. Mary's University is a private not-for-profit school based in Emmitsburg, MD. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 78%. Team revenue averages $35,617 per participant, against $35,617 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $12,910 per athlete.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 996, and a 94% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $32,395, compared with $32,395 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,694 per athlete.
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.
