by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 8 colleges for Women’s Rowing (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, College Factual scores each program on 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.
Not quite what you need? Pick a path below.
Explore the leading programs below:
No school ranked higher than University of Notre Dame this year for Women's Rowing (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University of Notre Dame records an NCAA APR of 996, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 94%. The program generates about $45,125 in revenue per athlete, compared with $45,125 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $34,391 per athlete.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot for Women's Rowing (Division I). University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 86%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,833, compared with $50,175 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $28,650 per athlete.
Indiana University-Bloomington earned the #3 place for student athletes. Indiana University-Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. The team's NCAA APR score is 993, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. About 79% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $40,093 per participant, compared with $40,093 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $23,161 per athlete.
Ohio State University-Main Campus ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Rowing (Division I). Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 987, alongside a GSR of 88%. About 83% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $39,623 per participant, with expenses of about $39,623 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,151.
Michigan State University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 86%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $37,321, with expenses of about $37,321 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,500.
University of Wisconsin-Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Rowing (Division I). Based in Madison, WI, University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 985, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 91%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,341, compared with $28,665 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $21,586 per athlete.
University of Dayton did well this year, earning the #7 position. University of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. The program generates about $11,314 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $16,720 per participant. The school awards about $13,913 in athletic aid per athlete.
Eastern Michigan University placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Rowing (Division I). Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 974, and a 83% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. Team revenue averages $26,256 per participant, against $26,256 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,547.
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.