by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 31 colleges for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (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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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $42,928 in revenue per athlete, compared with $42,928 spent per athlete. The school awards about $42,012 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Tulsa earned the #2 place for student athletes. Located in Tulsa, OK, University of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $17,644 in revenue per athlete, compared with $17,644 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $34,797 per athlete.
University of Delaware came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). University of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. Team revenue averages $13,537 per participant, compared with $13,537 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $24,002.
Mercer University earned the #4 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Macon, GA. Team revenue averages $17,322 per participant, against $17,322 in expenses. The school awards about $23,898 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Irvine ranked #5 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Team revenue averages $11,237 per participant, compared with $11,237 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,955.
Santa Clara University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. The program generates about $3,603 in revenue per athlete, against $3,603 in expenses. The school awards about $19,355 in athletic aid per athlete.
Brown University landed the #7 spot this year. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. The program generates about $8,305 in revenue per athlete, against $8,305 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
California Baptist University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $39,354, compared with $39,354 spent per athlete. The school awards about $23,790 in athletic aid per athlete.
Niagara University ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $13,684 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $13,684 per participant. Athletic aid averages $17,462 per athlete.
University of California-Santa Barbara placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Team revenue averages $7,281 per participant, compared with $7,281 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $11,355 per athlete.
Loyola University Maryland placed #11 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Loyola University Maryland is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,176, with expenses of about $6,176 per participant. Athletic aid averages $14,638 per athlete.
Saint Francis University ranked #12 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Saint Francis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loretto, PA. Team revenue averages $14,899 per participant, with expenses of about $14,899 per participant. The school awards about $13,253 in athletic aid per athlete.
Merrimack College landed the #13 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in North Andover, MA. The program generates about $4,133 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $4,133 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,394.
Saint Mary's College of California ranked #14 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Mary's College of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $5,609, with expenses of about $5,609 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $18,999.
University of the Pacific placed #15 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Stockton, CA, University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $4,652 per participant, with expenses of about $4,652 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $21,596.
Gardner-Webb University placed #16 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $22,249 in revenue per athlete, against $22,249 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,936.
Hampton University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Hampton, VA, Hampton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $14,570 in revenue per athlete, compared with $14,755 spent per athlete. The school awards about $18,394 in athletic aid per athlete.
University at Albany ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). University at Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY. Team revenue averages $9,317 per participant, with expenses of about $9,968 per participant. The school awards about $13,856 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Evansville landed the #19 spot this year. Located in Evansville, IN, University of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $3,088, against $3,088 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $16,525.
University of South Alabama placed #20 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Mobile, AL, University of South Alabama is a public institution. Team revenue averages $9,857 per participant, with expenses of about $9,857 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $15,705.
Northern Illinois University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Northern Illinois University is a public school based in Dekalb, IL. The program generates about $11,177 in revenue per athlete, compared with $11,177 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $16,138 per athlete.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. The program generates about $22,446 in revenue per athlete, against $17,609 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,235 per athlete.
College of Charleston ranked #23 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in Charleston, SC, College of Charleston is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,721, with expenses of about $4,721 per participant. Athletic aid averages $11,551 per athlete.
Jacksonville State University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Jacksonville, AL, Jacksonville State University is a public institution. Team revenue averages $9,732 per participant, against $9,732 in expenses. The school awards about $14,761 in athletic aid per athlete.
Portland State University placed #25 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The program generates about $5,914 in revenue per athlete, against $5,914 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $13,026 per athlete.
Not far behind, these colleges also placed near the top this year:
*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.