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Emory University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution.
by our College Data Analytics TeamFor student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 252 programs for Student Athletes by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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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Emory University tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for Student Athletes. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Duke University landed the #2 spot for Student Athletes. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC.
Vanderbilt University earned the #3 place for student athletes. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN.
Clemson University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Student Athletes. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution.
Wake Forest University landed the #5 spot for Student Athletes. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution.
University of Virginia-Main Campus placed #6 among the best colleges for Student Athletes. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public institution.
Washington and Lee University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Washington and Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, VA.
University of Richmond did well this year, earning the #8 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in University of Richmond, VA.
Union University landed the #9 spot this year. Union University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, TN.
Elon University landed the #10 spot this year. Located in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Rhodes College ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit school based in Memphis, TN.
The University of Alabama ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes. The University of Alabama is a public school based in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Tulane University of Louisiana ranked #13 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes. Based in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution.
Belmont University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Harding University landed the #15 spot this year. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Searcy, AR.
University of Miami ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Student Athletes. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution.
Auburn University landed the #17 spot this year. This public school is set in Auburn, AL.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #18 spot this year. Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Eckerd College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Eckerd College is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Petersburg, FL.
Furman University placed #20 among the best colleges for Student Athletes. Located in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution.
Christopher Newport University placed #21 among the best colleges for Student Athletes. Located in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh landed the #23 spot this year. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus did well this year, earning the #24 position. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA.
Centre College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Centre College is a private not-for-profit school based in Danville, KY.
These programs also stood out among the best this year:
These colleges narrowly missed the top tiers:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | High Point University | High Point, NC |
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.