by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. We have ranked 238 programs for Women’s Softball (Division II) 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.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
No school ranked higher than Colorado School of Mines this year for Women's Softball (Division II). Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School of Mines is a public institution. The program generates about $22,358 in revenue per athlete, against $22,358 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,984.
Biola University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). Based in La Mirada, CA, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $32,831, against $32,007 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $12,338.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Women's Softball (Division II). Based in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $35,954 in revenue per athlete, against $35,418 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,069 per athlete.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #4 spot for Women's Softball (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,083, compared with $34,083 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,636 in athletic aid per athlete.
Harding University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Based in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $24,965 in revenue per athlete, against $27,073 in expenses. The school awards about $9,216 in athletic aid per athlete.
Union University placed #6 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, TN. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $24,776, against $24,752 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $17,895 per athlete.
Rockhurst University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division II). Based in Kansas City, MO, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $22,022 per participant, compared with $22,022 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $8,130 per athlete.
Bentley University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $20,648, compared with $20,559 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $8,029 per athlete.
Rollins College placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). Located in Winter Park, FL, Rollins College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $23,796 in revenue per athlete, compared with $23,796 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,632 per athlete.
Lewis University placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Romeoville, IL. Team revenue averages $26,560 per participant, compared with $26,560 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $9,669 per athlete.
Eckerd College placed #11 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). Eckerd College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Petersburg, FL. The program generates about $26,564 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $26,564 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,706.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #12 spot this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $19,190 in revenue per athlete, compared with $19,190 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,341 in athletic aid per athlete.
Florida Institute of Technology landed the #13 spot this year. Florida Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Melbourne, FL. The program generates about $26,922 in revenue per athlete, against $26,922 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $13,103 per athlete.
Concordia University-Irvine did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Irvine, CA, Concordia University-Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $37,580 per participant, compared with $37,580 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,027.
Florida Southern College ranked #15 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division II). This private not-for-profit school is set in Lakeland, FL. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $24,746, compared with $24,746 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $8,785 per athlete.
Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division II). Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $25,186, compared with $23,779 spent per athlete. The school awards about $6,338 in athletic aid per athlete.
Adelphi University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $19,367 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $19,367 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,963.
Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot this year. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $28,382 per participant, with expenses of about $27,747 per participant. Athletic aid averages $6,088 per athlete.
Dominican University of California came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Dominican University of California is a private not-for-profit school based in San Rafael, CA. Team revenue averages $19,014 per participant, against $19,014 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,270.
Missouri University of Science and Technology placed #20 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division II). Located in Rolla, MO, Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public institution. Team revenue averages $25,790 per participant, with expenses of about $25,674 per participant. The school awards about $5,772 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Indianapolis came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, University of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $29,186, against $29,186 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $9,002 per athlete.
Pace University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in New York, NY, Pace University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $19,081 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $20,272 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,466.
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #23 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division II). Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nampa, ID. Team revenue averages $22,784 per participant, compared with $22,784 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $9,381 per athlete.
Gannon University landed the #24 spot this year. Based in Erie, PA, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $14,320 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $14,320 per participant. The school awards about $9,313 in athletic aid per athlete.
Palm Beach Atlantic University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private not-for-profit school based in West Palm Beach, FL. Team revenue averages $25,632 per participant, against $25,439 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $10,383 per athlete.
Not far behind, these colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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
See our data sources and methodologies.
