2026 Best Colleges for Men’s Swimming & Diving (Division I)
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 25 colleges for Men’s Swimming & Diving (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual weighs 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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Top 25 Colleges for Men’s Swimming & Diving (Division I)
Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:No school ranked higher than University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus this year for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus records an NCAA APR of 996, alongside a GSR of 94%. About 71% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $55,686, compared with $55,686 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $30,613.
Seattle University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. The program generates about $24,502 in revenue per athlete, against $23,877 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $19,482.
Ohio State University-Main Campus landed the #3 spot for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 978, with a Graduation Success Rate of 86%. Its federal graduation rate is 85%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $70,358, against $70,358 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $27,151 per athlete.
William & Mary ranked #4 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Located in Williamsburg, VA, William & Mary is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 994, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 100% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $44,769 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,898 spent per athlete. The school awards about $15,943 in athletic aid per athlete.
Purdue University-Main Campus landed the #5 spot for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Purdue University-Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. The team's NCAA APR score is 994, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. The federal graduation rate stands at 90%. The program generates about $10,055 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $49,366 per participant. The school awards about $19,382 in athletic aid per athlete.
Providence College ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Located in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. Its federal graduation rate is 78%. The program generates about $10,704 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $10,704 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $25,955.
Xavier University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 997, and a 95% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,067, compared with $13,918 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,280.
University of California-San Diego placed #8 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). University of California-San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Team revenue averages $13,573 per participant, compared with $13,573 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $9,847 per athlete.
Florida State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University records an NCAA APR of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 84%. Its federal graduation rate is 64%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $39,673, compared with $39,673 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,364 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of the Pacific ranked #10 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Stockton, CA, University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 981, with a Graduation Success Rate of 80%. The federal graduation rate stands at 38%. The program generates about $24,678 in revenue per athlete, compared with $24,678 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,596.
Mount St. Mary's University placed #11 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Mount St. Mary's University is a private not-for-profit school based in Emmitsburg, MD. The team's NCAA APR score is 996, alongside a GSR of 92%. The federal graduation rate stands at 73%. Team revenue averages $28,505 per participant, against $28,505 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $12,910 per athlete.
Monmouth University placed #12 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 996, alongside a GSR of 79%. Its federal graduation rate is 58%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $24,070, compared with $24,070 spent per athlete. The school awards about $20,376 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot this year. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution. University of California-Santa Barbara records an NCAA APR of 984, and a 95% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 79%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $19,398, with expenses of about $19,398 per participant. The school awards about $11,355 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Louisville placed #14 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Louisville, KY, University of Louisville is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 976, alongside a GSR of 94%. About 79% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $3,820 per participant, against $47,154 in expenses. The school awards about $21,083 in athletic aid per athlete.
Bellarmine University landed the #15 spot this year. Bellarmine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Louisville, KY. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $12,849 per participant, against $12,849 in expenses. The school awards about $10,105 in athletic aid per athlete.
Niagara University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Niagara University, NY. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. Its federal graduation rate is 69%. The program generates about $15,079 in revenue per athlete, against $15,079 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $17,462.
Old Dominion University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Old Dominion University is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 963, alongside a GSR of 83%. About 67% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $20,506 per participant, with expenses of about $20,506 per participant. Athletic aid averages $24,728 per athlete.
Queens University of Charlotte placed #18 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Charlotte, NC, Queens University of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 68%. The federal graduation rate stands at 73%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $20,831, with expenses of about $20,831 per participant. The school awards about $13,282 in athletic aid per athlete.
Gardner-Webb University ranked #19 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 958, alongside a GSR of 90%. About 73% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $24,596, with expenses of about $24,596 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,936.
Valparaiso University ranked #20 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Located in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. Valparaiso University records an NCAA APR of 990, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. The program generates about $6,367 in revenue per athlete, compared with $6,344 spent per athlete. The school awards about $8,540 in athletic aid per athlete.
Manhattan University placed #21 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 937, alongside a GSR of 79%. About 78% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $12,910, compared with $12,910 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,484.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo came in at #22 in this year's ranking. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo posts a 76% Graduation Success Rate. About 72% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,326, with expenses of about $10,326 per participant. The school awards about $10,344 in athletic aid per athlete.
Eastern Illinois University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Charleston, IL. The team's NCAA APR score is 974, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 71% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $7,061, with expenses of about $7,061 per participant. The school awards about $7,653 in athletic aid per athlete.
Northern Kentucky University placed #24 among the best colleges for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Northern Kentucky University is a public school based in Highland Heights, KY. Northern Kentucky University records an NCAA APR of 969. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $12,762, with expenses of about $12,762 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,809.
Saint Peter's University ranked #25 on our 2026 list for Men's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Jersey City, NJ, Saint Peter's University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 961, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. Team revenue averages $9,895 per participant, with expenses of about $9,895 per participant. The school awards about $10,025 in athletic aid per athlete.
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Notes and References
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
