by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 12 schools 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.
Looking for a different division or a related ranking? Pick a path below.
Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Austin College to be the best college for Women's Softball (Division III) in Texas. Located in Sherman, TX, Austin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $8,239 per participant, compared with $7,620 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Texas Lutheran University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Women's Softball (Division III). Based in Seguin, TX, Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $18,949 per participant, with expenses of about $14,107 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
LeTourneau University ranked #3 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division III). LeTourneau University is a private not-for-profit school based in Longview, TX. The program generates about $11,657 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $11,657 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Dallas ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Softball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Irving, TX. Team revenue averages $4,564 per participant, compared with $4,564 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor landed the #5 spot for Women's Softball (Division III). University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private not-for-profit school based in Belton, TX. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $9,118, with expenses of about $9,118 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
East Texas Baptist University landed the #6 spot this year. East Texas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Marshall, TX. The program generates about $18,115 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $18,115 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Hardin-Simmons University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Abilene, TX. The program generates about $10,817 in revenue per athlete, compared with $8,371 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Schreiner University landed the #8 spot this year. Based in Kerrville, TX, Schreiner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $3,923, with expenses of about $3,904 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Concordia University Texas came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Austin, TX. Team revenue averages $4,439 per participant, against $4,439 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
McMurry University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Abilene, TX, McMurry University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $7,572 in revenue per athlete, against $7,572 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Sul Ross State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Alpine, TX, Sul Ross State University is a public institution. The program generates about $8,480 in revenue per athlete, against $7,701 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $891 per athlete.
Howard Payne University ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Softball (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Brownwood, TX. Team revenue averages $4,958 per participant, with expenses of about $4,958 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.