by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. This list ranks 29 colleges for Women’s Softball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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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Learn more about these schools below:
Our analysis found Arizona State University Campus Immersion to be the best college for Women's Softball (Division I) in the Southwest Region. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 52% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $150,348 in revenue per athlete, against $150,348 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,490.
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). This public school is set in Norman, OK. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 55% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $129,227 per participant, against $370,715 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $27,789 per athlete.
Baylor University ranked #3 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 991, alongside a GSR of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 81%. Team revenue averages $119,687 per participant, compared with $119,687 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $30,455 per athlete.
University of Tulsa landed the #4 spot for Women's Softball (Division I). Located in Tulsa, OK, University of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 50% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $66,438 in revenue per athlete, against $66,438 in expenses. The school awards about $34,797 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Arizona is one of the top schools for Women's Softball (Division I), at #5. Based in Tucson, AZ, University of Arizona is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 996, alongside a GSR of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 73%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $143,316, compared with $143,316 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $20,887 per athlete.
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #6 spot this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, and a 95% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 73%. The program generates about $40,486 in revenue per athlete, against $181,515 in expenses. The school awards about $22,650 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas A&M University-College Station landed the #7 spot this year. Texas A&M University-College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 91%. The federal graduation rate stands at 74%. The program generates about $26,208 in revenue per athlete, against $144,869 in expenses. The school awards about $17,123 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in San Marcos, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 74%. Team revenue averages $65,463 per participant, against $65,463 in expenses. The school awards about $16,371 in athletic aid per athlete.
Abilene Christian University ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Abilene, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 990, with a Graduation Success Rate of 81%. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $74,827 in revenue per athlete, compared with $53,883 spent per athlete. The school awards about $26,012 in athletic aid per athlete.
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 992, and a 96% Graduation Success Rate. About 65% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $55,234 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $146,140 per participant. The school awards about $12,335 in athletic aid per athlete.
Sam Houston State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 81%. Team revenue averages $41,519 per participant, compared with $41,519 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,743.
University of Houston ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). This public school is set in Houston, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 987, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 71%. The program generates about $65,972 in revenue per athlete, compared with $65,972 spent per athlete. The school awards about $15,948 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of New Mexico-Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). Located in Albuquerque, NM, University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, alongside a GSR of 94%. The federal graduation rate stands at 38%. Team revenue averages $44,030 per participant, with expenses of about $44,030 per participant. The school awards about $19,510 in athletic aid per athlete.
Houston Christian University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Houston Christian University records an NCAA APR of 982, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 73% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $46,447 in revenue per athlete, against $46,447 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,924.
The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #15 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). The University of Texas at El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 994, and a 95% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 64%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $15,321, with expenses of about $48,050 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,754.
Grand Canyon University placed #16 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. Team revenue averages $54,774 per participant, compared with $54,774 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $9,958 per athlete.
Texas Tech University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University records an NCAA APR of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. Team revenue averages $40,646 per participant, compared with $158,730 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,662 per athlete.
University of North Texas did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Denton, TX, University of North Texas is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 985, alongside a GSR of 90%. The federal graduation rate stands at 59%. Team revenue averages $62,792 per participant, compared with $62,792 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,504 per athlete.
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Arlington, TX, The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 979, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 73%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $40,912, compared with $40,912 spent per athlete. The school awards about $12,666 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. The University of Texas at San Antonio records an NCAA APR of 974, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. Its federal graduation rate is 54%. Team revenue averages $56,373 per participant, against $56,373 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $16,155 per athlete.
Tarleton State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division I). Based in Stephenville, TX, Tarleton State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 983, alongside a GSR of 92%. About 68% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $44,865 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $44,865 per participant. Athletic aid averages $11,883 per athlete.
New Mexico State University-Main Campus placed #22 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). This public school is set in Las Cruces, NM. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 976, alongside a GSR of 76%. About 56% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $50,658, with expenses of about $50,658 per participant. The school awards about $17,921 in athletic aid per athlete.
East Texas A&M University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Commerce, TX, East Texas A&M University is a public institution. East Texas A&M University records an NCAA APR of 983, with a Graduation Success Rate of 85%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. Team revenue averages $40,096 per participant, compared with $40,557 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $12,747.
Lamar University placed #24 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division I). Based in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. Lamar University records an NCAA APR of 988, and a 85% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 44%. The program generates about $36,495 in revenue per athlete, against $36,053 in expenses. The school awards about $13,491 in athletic aid per athlete.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi did well this year, earning the #25 position. Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi is a public school based in Corpus Christi, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 989, alongside a GSR of 92%. About 53% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $30,881 in revenue per athlete, compared with $30,881 spent per athlete. The school awards about $10,202 in athletic aid per athlete.
These programs also stood out among the best this year:
*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.
