by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. We have ranked 13 programs for Women’s Softball (Division III) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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:
Christopher Newport University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division III). Located in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. The program generates about $9,166 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,166 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Randolph-Macon College came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Softball (Division III). Located in Ashland, VA, Randolph-Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $9,430 in revenue per athlete, against $9,428 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Mary Washington earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Fredericksburg, VA, University of Mary Washington is a public institution. Team revenue averages $6,957 per participant, with expenses of about $6,763 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
University of Lynchburg landed the #4 spot for Women's Softball (Division III). University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. Team revenue averages $8,458 per participant, compared with $8,458 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Shenandoah University is one of the top schools for Women's Softball (Division III), at #5. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winchester, VA. The program generates about $4,751 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $4,751 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Roanoke College ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division III). Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit school based in Salem, VA. The program generates about $6,474 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $6,474 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Virginia Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. The program generates about $13,905 in revenue per athlete, compared with $13,905 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $6,726 per participant, compared with $6,726 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Mary Baldwin University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Staunton, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $5,825, with expenses of about $5,825 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Averett University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Danville, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $7,341, compared with $7,341 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Randolph College placed #11 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division III). Located in Lynchburg, VA, Randolph College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $5,103 per participant, against $5,103 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Southern Virginia University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Southern Virginia University is a private not-for-profit school based in Buena Vista, VA. Team revenue averages $6,704 per participant, against $6,704 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $90.
Ferrum College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Ferrum College is a private not-for-profit school based in Ferrum, VA. The program generates about $6,643 in revenue per athlete, compared with $6,643 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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.