by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. This list ranks 26 colleges for Women’s Soccer (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual weighs 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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Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 91%. The program generates about $115,735 in revenue per athlete, against $115,735 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,012.
University of Southern California landed the #2 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $102,819 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $102,819 per participant. Athletic aid averages $40,006 per athlete.
Pepperdine University is one of the top schools for Women's Soccer (Division I), at #3. Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 76%. The program generates about $71,743 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $71,743 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,861.
University of California-Los Angeles landed the #4 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). University of California-Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. Its federal graduation rate is 79%. The program generates about $77,415 in revenue per athlete, against $77,415 in expenses. The school awards about $24,306 in athletic aid per athlete.
Santa Clara University ranked #5 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 992, and a 94% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 63%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $83,496, against $83,496 in expenses. The school awards about $19,355 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Berkeley did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 985, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Team revenue averages $52,501 per participant, against $52,501 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,267.
University of San Francisco ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in San Francisco, CA, University of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 986, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. About 72% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $58,383 per participant, compared with $58,383 spent per athlete. The school awards about $31,788 in athletic aid per athlete.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 971, alongside a GSR of 96%. The federal graduation rate stands at 88%. Team revenue averages $58,764 per participant, with expenses of about $58,764 per participant. Athletic aid averages $40,056 per athlete.
University of the Pacific did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Stockton, CA, University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 987, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 65%. Team revenue averages $44,581 per participant, compared with $44,581 spent per athlete. The school awards about $21,596 in athletic aid per athlete.
Saint Mary's College of California landed the #10 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moraga, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 988, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 71%. The program generates about $44,275 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $44,275 per participant. The school awards about $18,999 in athletic aid per athlete.
California State University-Fresno came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. California State University-Fresno records an NCAA APR of 983, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 78%. The program generates about $58,153 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $58,153 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,577.
San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 983, alongside a GSR of 85%. The federal graduation rate stands at 63%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $59,299, compared with $57,211 spent per athlete. The school awards about $21,450 in athletic aid per athlete.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 93%. The federal graduation rate stands at 89%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $27,475, compared with $27,475 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $10,344 per athlete.
University of California-Davis did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Davis, CA, University of California-Davis is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 993, alongside a GSR of 90%. About 81% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $27,336 per participant, with expenses of about $27,336 per participant. The school awards about $14,267 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of San Diego came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, University of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. University of San Diego records an NCAA APR of 980, alongside a GSR of 89%. Its federal graduation rate is 62%. The program generates about $49,786 in revenue per athlete, against $49,786 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,537.
University of California-Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 93%. The federal graduation rate stands at 92%. The program generates about $31,410 in revenue per athlete, against $31,410 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,355 per athlete.
California State University-Fullerton came in at #17 in this year's ranking. California State University-Fullerton is a public school based in Fullerton, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 993, and a 90% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 60%. The program generates about $42,453 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $42,453 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,497.
California State University-Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Northridge, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 975, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. About 79% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $40,179 per participant, compared with $42,219 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,174 per athlete.
University of California-San Diego placed #19 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in La Jolla, CA, University of California-San Diego is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 993, with a Graduation Success Rate of 75%. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $41,292, with expenses of about $41,292 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,847.
California Baptist University landed the #20 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverside, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 971, and a 82% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 64%. Team revenue averages $41,280 per participant, against $40,626 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $23,790 per athlete.
San Jose State University placed #21 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 964, and a 80% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 73%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $42,856, against $42,856 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,034.
California State University-Sacramento placed #22 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). California State University-Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 970, alongside a GSR of 94%. About 72% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $33,510 per participant, with expenses of about $33,510 per participant. Athletic aid averages $11,560 per athlete.
University of California-Riverside did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Riverside, CA, University of California-Riverside is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 988, alongside a GSR of 88%. Its federal graduation rate is 71%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $31,126, compared with $31,126 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,154 per athlete.
University of California-Irvine placed #24 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Irvine, CA, University of California-Irvine is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 968, and a 85% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 76%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $39,411, compared with $39,411 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,955 per athlete.
California State University-Bakersfield placed #25 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Bakersfield, CA, California State University-Bakersfield is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 986, with a Graduation Success Rate of 97%. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $25,673 per participant, against $25,673 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $10,121 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. 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.