by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 9 programs for Men’s Soccer (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Clemson University to be the best college for Men's Soccer (Division I) in South Carolina. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University records an NCAA APR of 997, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. About 53% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $105,408 in revenue per athlete, against $105,408 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,730.
Furman University earned the #2 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Greenville, SC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. About 60% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $38,422 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $38,422 per participant. The school awards about $28,699 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of South Carolina-Columbia ranked #3 among the best colleges for Men's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Columbia, SC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 973, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 59%. The program generates about $74,062 in revenue per athlete, compared with $74,062 spent per athlete. The school awards about $18,645 in athletic aid per athlete.
Wofford College landed the #4 spot for Men's Soccer (Division I). Wofford College is a private not-for-profit school based in Spartanburg, SC. The team's NCAA APR score is 979, and a 88% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 52%. The program generates about $25,175 in revenue per athlete, compared with $25,175 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,368.
College of Charleston ranked #5 among the best colleges for Men's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Charleston, SC. The team's NCAA APR score is 979, with a Graduation Success Rate of 88%. Its federal graduation rate is 65%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $29,574, compared with $29,574 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,551 in athletic aid per athlete.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #6 spot this year. Coastal Carolina University is a public school based in Conway, SC. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 966, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. Its federal graduation rate is 0%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $45,423, against $45,423 in expenses. The school awards about $19,875 in athletic aid per athlete.
Presbyterian College landed the #7 spot this year. Located in Clinton, SC, Presbyterian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 967, and a 92% Graduation Success Rate. About 27% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $17,760 in revenue per athlete, compared with $17,760 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,454 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of South Carolina-Upstate ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Men's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Spartanburg, SC. The team's NCAA APR score is 981, alongside a GSR of 84%. The federal graduation rate stands at 22%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $15,555, with expenses of about $15,555 per participant. Athletic aid averages $9,411 per athlete.
Winthrop University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Rock Hill, SC, Winthrop University is a public institution. Winthrop University records an NCAA APR of 976, and a 87% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 55%. The program generates about $13,554 in revenue per athlete, compared with $13,554 spent per athlete. The school awards about $6,244 in athletic aid per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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.