2026 Best Colleges for Women’s Soccer (Division I) in Southwest
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. This list ranks 34 colleges for Women’s Soccer (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, 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.
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Top 25 Colleges for Women’s Soccer (Division I)
Learn more about these schools below:
Our analysis found Southern Methodist University to be the best college for Women's Soccer (Division I) in the Southwest Region. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 100% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $98,831 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $98,831 per participant. Athletic aid averages $56,388 per athlete.
Rice University landed the #2 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University records an NCAA APR of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 90%. Team revenue averages $68,073 per participant, with expenses of about $68,073 per participant. The school awards about $41,166 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas Christian University landed the #3 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 93%. Team revenue averages $89,206 per participant, compared with $89,206 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $37,174 per athlete.
Baylor University landed the #4 spot for Women's Soccer (Division I). Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 998, alongside a GSR of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 76%. The program generates about $102,983 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $102,983 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $30,455.
Abilene Christian University is one of the top schools for Women's Soccer (Division I), at #5. Located in Abilene, TX, Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 95% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $45,974 in revenue per athlete, compared with $41,150 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,012.
Texas A&M University-College Station ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Texas A&M University-College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A&M University-College Station records an NCAA APR of 996, alongside a GSR of 93%. The federal graduation rate stands at 86%. Team revenue averages $76,231 per participant, with expenses of about $132,844 per participant. Athletic aid averages $17,123 per athlete.
The University of Texas at Austin did well this year, earning the #7 position. The University of Texas at Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University of Texas at Austin records an NCAA APR of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 97%. The federal graduation rate stands at 87%. The program generates about $34,405 in revenue per athlete, against $87,526 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $22,650 per athlete.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion landed the #8 spot this year. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 62%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $82,263, compared with $82,263 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $27,490 per athlete.
University of Arizona ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, alongside a GSR of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 52%. Team revenue averages $68,812 per participant, compared with $68,812 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,887.
The University of Texas at San Antonio did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 69%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $36,064, against $36,064 in expenses. The school awards about $16,155 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Tulsa placed #11 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 988, alongside a GSR of 92%. About 77% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $60,719 per participant, with expenses of about $60,719 per participant. The school awards about $34,797 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus placed #12 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in Albuquerque, NM, University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 97%. The federal graduation rate stands at 73%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $32,049, against $31,075 in expenses. The school awards about $19,510 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 97% Graduation Success Rate. About 76% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $21,501 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $108,375 per participant. The school awards about $13,662 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Houston placed #14 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Houston, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, alongside a GSR of 97%. Its federal graduation rate is 79%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $43,921, with expenses of about $43,921 per participant. Athletic aid averages $15,948 per athlete.
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus landed the #15 spot this year. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus records an NCAA APR of 984, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 82%. Team revenue averages $8,278 per participant, compared with $98,514 spent per athlete. The school awards about $27,789 in athletic aid per athlete.
Houston Christian University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Houston, TX, Houston Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 989, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 86%. The program generates about $37,638 in revenue per athlete, against $37,638 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $20,924 per athlete.
University of the Incarnate Word landed the #17 spot this year. Located in San Antonio, TX, University of the Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 988, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 88%. The program generates about $34,655 in revenue per athlete, compared with $34,655 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,744.
Northern Arizona University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Northern Arizona University records an NCAA APR of 996, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. The federal graduation rate stands at 77%. Team revenue averages $28,953 per participant, against $28,953 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $13,581 per athlete.
Texas State University placed #19 among the best colleges for Women's Soccer (Division I). Based in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 980, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 92%. Team revenue averages $37,912 per participant, with expenses of about $37,912 per participant. Athletic aid averages $16,371 per athlete.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus came in at #20 in this year's ranking. New Mexico State University-Main Campus is a public school based in Las Cruces, NM. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 993, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. About 58% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $31,894, against $31,894 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $17,921 per athlete.
Tarleton State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). This public school is set in Stephenville, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 981. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $45,175, against $45,175 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,883 per athlete.
Grand Canyon University landed the #22 spot this year. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 980, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 86%. Team revenue averages $36,571 per participant, compared with $36,571 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,958.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list for Women's Soccer (Division I). Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. The team's NCAA APR score is 987, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 65%. Team revenue averages $17,918 per participant, against $64,262 in expenses. The school awards about $12,335 in athletic aid per athlete.
East Texas A&M University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Commerce, TX, East Texas A&M University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 993, and a 70% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 42%. The program generates about $35,221 in revenue per athlete, compared with $35,194 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $12,747 per athlete.
Sam Houston State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Huntsville, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. The federal graduation rate stands at 61%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $32,491, with expenses of about $32,491 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,743.
Rest of the Top 20% Colleges for Women’s Soccer (Division I)
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
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Notes and References
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
