by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 7 colleges for Women’s Softball (Division III) 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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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to be the best college for Women's Softball (Division III) in Indiana. Located in Terre Haute, IN, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $10,467 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $10,467 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
DePauw University is one of the top schools for Women's Softball (Division III), at #2. Located in Greencastle, IN, DePauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $11,503 in revenue per athlete, compared with $11,503 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Trine University landed the #3 spot for Women's Softball (Division III). Based in Angola, IN, Trine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $12,312 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $11,600 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Earlham College is one of the top schools for Women's Softball (Division III), at #4. Earlham College is a private not-for-profit school based in Richmond, IN. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,446, compared with $8,446 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Hanover College is one of the top schools for Women's Softball (Division III), at #5. Based in Hanover, IN, Hanover College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $6,170 in revenue per athlete, against $6,170 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Franklin College placed #6 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division III). Based in Franklin, IN, Franklin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,962, with expenses of about $4,877 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Manchester University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in North Manchester, IN, Manchester University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,297, with expenses of about $4,093 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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.