by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 110 schools 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Duke University to be the best college for Women's Soccer (Division I) in the Southeast Region. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 92% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $112,715, with expenses of about $116,531 per participant. The school awards about $34,321 in athletic aid per athlete.
Vanderbilt University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 86% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $91,503, compared with $91,503 spent per athlete. The school awards about $42,235 in athletic aid per athlete.
Wake Forest University is one of the top schools for Women's Soccer (Division I), at #3. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University records an NCAA APR of 996, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 81%. Team revenue averages $91,765 per participant, compared with $91,765 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $38,933 per athlete.
Clemson University landed the #4 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 81% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $105,330 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $105,330 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,730.
University of Richmond came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Soccer (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in University of Richmond, VA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. The program generates about $40,504 in revenue per athlete, against $40,504 in expenses. The school awards about $27,609 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Virginia-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University of Virginia-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 85%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $72,809, with expenses of about $72,809 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,976.
University of Miami placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in Coral Gables, FL, University of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 995, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 78%. Team revenue averages $111,910 per participant, compared with $111,910 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $38,474.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 94% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $50,560 in revenue per athlete, compared with $80,315 spent per athlete. The school awards about $17,771 in athletic aid per athlete.
Elon University placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 70%. The program generates about $53,376 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $53,376 per participant. Athletic aid averages $25,795 per athlete.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $36,114, compared with $65,910 spent per athlete. The school awards about $18,384 in athletic aid per athlete.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 998, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. Team revenue averages $12,288 per participant, compared with $63,014 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $29,706 per athlete.
Mississippi State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 39%. Team revenue averages $74,588 per participant, compared with $74,588 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $24,143 per athlete.
University of South Carolina-Columbia landed the #13 spot this year. Based in Columbia, SC, University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 998, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 71%. Team revenue averages $65,351 per participant, compared with $65,351 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $18,645 per athlete.
Auburn University placed #14 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 76%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $13,053, with expenses of about $88,813 per participant. Athletic aid averages $28,233 per athlete.
Furman University landed the #15 spot this year. Based in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Furman University records an NCAA APR of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. About 89% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $46,775 per participant, against $46,775 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $28,699.
Wofford College ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Located in Spartanburg, SC, Wofford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wofford College records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $31,509, with expenses of about $31,509 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,368.
Belmont University ranked #17 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Nashville, TN, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, alongside a GSR of 96%. The federal graduation rate stands at 74%. Team revenue averages $46,902 per participant, with expenses of about $46,902 per participant. Athletic aid averages $21,742 per athlete.
Samford University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Birmingham, AL, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 998, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 72%. The program generates about $38,072 in revenue per athlete, compared with $36,734 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $20,864 per athlete.
University of Mississippi came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in University, MS, University of Mississippi is a public institution. University of Mississippi records an NCAA APR of 998, alongside a GSR of 94%. The federal graduation rate stands at 55%. Team revenue averages $82,924 per participant, with expenses of about $82,924 per participant. The school awards about $22,457 in athletic aid per athlete.
Old Dominion University placed #20 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University records an NCAA APR of 997, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $49,000, with expenses of about $49,000 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $24,728.
The University of Alabama placed #21 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University of Alabama is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 85%. The program generates about $79,717 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $79,717 per participant. The school awards about $20,760 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Central Florida landed the #22 spot this year. University of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 987, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 77%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $122,848, against $63,357 in expenses. The school awards about $25,195 in athletic aid per athlete.
William & Mary came in at #23 in this year's ranking. William & Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. The program generates about $31,628 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $35,278 per participant. The school awards about $15,943 in athletic aid per athlete.
James Madison University ranked #24 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. The team's NCAA APR score is 994, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $54,047 in revenue per athlete, compared with $54,047 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,945.
University of Florida did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University of Florida is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 998, and a 97% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 77%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $3,725, with expenses of about $76,985 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $23,180.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.