by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 6 schools for Women’s Softball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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.
Not quite what you need? Use the shortcuts below.
Learn more about these schools below:
No school ranked higher than University of Connecticut this year for Women's Softball (Division I). Based in Storrs, CT, University of Connecticut is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 996, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. The program generates about $85,811 in revenue per athlete, compared with $85,811 spent per athlete. The school awards about $20,776 in athletic aid per athlete.
Fairfield University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Softball (Division I). Based in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairfield University records an NCAA APR of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Team revenue averages $42,153 per participant, compared with $42,153 spent per athlete. The school awards about $19,587 in athletic aid per athlete.
Quinnipiac University earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 994, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $40,589 per participant, with expenses of about $40,589 per participant. The school awards about $27,084 in athletic aid per athlete.
Sacred Heart University ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. Sacred Heart University records an NCAA APR of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. Team revenue averages $41,357 per participant, against $41,357 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,128.
Yale University came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Softball (Division I). Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $37,271, with expenses of about $37,271 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #6 spot this year. Located in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Central Connecticut State University records an NCAA APR of 990, and a 87% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 52%. Team revenue averages $25,506 per participant, with expenses of about $25,506 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,791.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Programs are scored on 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.