by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 7 programs for Men’s Outdoor Track and Field 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.
Looking for a different division or a related ranking? Pick a path below.
Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Gardner-Webb University to be the best college for Men's Outdoor Track and Field in North Carolina. Gardner-Webb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boiling Springs, NC. Team revenue averages $16,185 per participant, against $16,185 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $14,936 per athlete.
Barton College earned the #2 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilson, NC. The program generates about $6,222 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $6,222 per participant. Athletic aid averages $6,654 per athlete.
North Carolina Central University came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Men's Outdoor Track and Field. North Carolina Central University is a public school based in Durham, NC. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $7,631, compared with $7,631 spent per athlete. The school awards about $14,804 in athletic aid per athlete.
Belmont Abbey College came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Men's Outdoor Track and Field. This private not-for-profit school is set in Belmont, NC. The program generates about $4,032 in revenue per athlete, against $4,032 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,908.
Methodist University earned the #5 place for student athletes. Based in Fayetteville, NC, Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $2,414 in revenue per athlete, against $2,414 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Brevard College landed the #6 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brevard, NC. The program generates about $3,192 in revenue per athlete, compared with $3,192 spent per athlete. The school awards about $327 in athletic aid per athlete.
Johnson C Smith University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Men's Outdoor Track and Field. Located in Charlotte, NC, Johnson C Smith University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $4,480 in revenue per athlete, against $4,480 in expenses. The school awards about $6,550 in athletic aid per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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.