by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 34 schools for Women’s Tennis (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking for Women's Tennis (Division I). Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $149,378 in revenue per athlete, compared with $149,378 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,012.
University of Southern California earned the #2 place for student athletes. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University of Southern California records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $147,174, with expenses of about $147,174 per participant. The school awards about $40,006 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Los Angeles is one of the top schools for Women's Tennis (Division I), at #3. University of California-Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 992, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. The program generates about $199,180 in revenue per athlete, against $199,180 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $24,306 per athlete.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Tennis (Division I). Based in Seattle, WA, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $70,674 per participant, against $220,793 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,539.
University of California-Berkeley is one of the top schools for Women's Tennis (Division I), at #5. University of California-Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $140,408 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $140,408 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,267.
Pepperdine University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University records an NCAA APR of 968, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 75%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $187,930, compared with $187,930 spent per athlete. The school awards about $27,861 in athletic aid per athlete.
Loyola Marymount University placed #7 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University records an NCAA APR of 957, alongside a GSR of 90%. Its federal graduation rate is 86%. The program generates about $114,399 in revenue per athlete, compared with $114,399 spent per athlete. The school awards about $40,056 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of San Diego did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in San Diego, CA, University of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 71%. The program generates about $163,754 in revenue per athlete, compared with $163,754 spent per athlete. The school awards about $19,537 in athletic aid per athlete.
Saint Mary's College of California placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Mary's College of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Mary's College of California records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Team revenue averages $110,861 per participant, compared with $110,861 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,999.
Gonzaga University ranked #10 on our 2026 list for Women's Tennis (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 88% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $101,785 per participant, against $113,294 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $14,963 per athlete.
Santa Clara University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Women's Tennis (Division I). Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $64,978 in revenue per athlete, against $64,978 in expenses. The school awards about $19,355 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Nevada-Reno ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Tennis (Division I). Based in Reno, NV, University of Nevada-Reno is a public institution. University of Nevada-Reno records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 40%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $96,886, with expenses of about $88,118 per participant. The school awards about $21,799 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Oregon landed the #13 spot this year. Based in Eugene, OR, University of Oregon is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,879, compared with $148,697 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $22,739.
Seattle University placed #14 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 992, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 88% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $68,828 in revenue per athlete, against $68,828 in expenses. The school awards about $19,482 in athletic aid per athlete.
San Diego State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 982, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 50% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $79,102, compared with $110,538 spent per athlete. The school awards about $21,450 in athletic aid per athlete.
San Jose State University placed #16 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). This public school is set in San Jose, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 86% Graduation Success Rate. About 44% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $78,981 per participant, with expenses of about $78,981 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,034.
University of Portland did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Portland, OR. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 50% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $70,150 per participant, with expenses of about $70,150 per participant. The school awards about $17,618 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Davis did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Davis, CA, University of California-Davis is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Team revenue averages $46,408 per participant, compared with $46,408 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,267.
Washington State University placed #19 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 88% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 56%. Team revenue averages $38,816 per participant, against $77,665 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,338.
California State University-Sacramento placed #20 among the best colleges for Women's Tennis (Division I). Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University-Sacramento is a public institution. California State University-Sacramento records an NCAA APR of 984, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $87,085, against $87,085 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,560 per athlete.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas came in at #21 in this year's ranking. University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 90% Graduation Success Rate. About 20% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,177, compared with $69,890 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $23,395.
University of the Pacific ranked #22 on our 2026 list for Women's Tennis (Division I). University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit school based in Stockton, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 974, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 60%. Team revenue averages $62,702 per participant, with expenses of about $62,702 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,596.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot this year. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 88%. The program generates about $60,642 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $60,642 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $10,344.
University of California-Santa Barbara landed the #24 spot this year. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 982, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 60%. The program generates about $110,798 in revenue per athlete, against $110,798 in expenses. The school awards about $11,355 in athletic aid per athlete.
California State University-Fresno did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Fresno, CA, California State University-Fresno is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 983, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. The program generates about $86,755 in revenue per athlete, against $86,755 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,577.
Not far behind, these colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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
See our data sources and methodologies.