by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. We have ranked 11 programs for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, 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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Learn more about these schools below:
Mercer University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Mercer University is a private not-for-profit school based in Macon, GA. The program generates about $17,322 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $17,322 per participant. Athletic aid averages $23,898 per athlete.
Gardner-Webb University earned the #2 place for student athletes. Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $22,249 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $22,249 per participant. The school awards about $14,936 in athletic aid per athlete.
Hampton University is one of the top schools for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I), at #3. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hampton, VA. Team revenue averages $14,570 per participant, with expenses of about $14,755 per participant. The school awards about $18,394 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of South Alabama earned the #4 place for student athletes. University of South Alabama is a public school based in Mobile, AL. The program generates about $9,857 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,857 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $15,705 per athlete.
College of Charleston is one of the top schools for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I), at #5. Located in Charleston, SC, College of Charleston is a public institution. The program generates about $4,721 in revenue per athlete, compared with $4,721 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,551 in athletic aid per athlete.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University placed #6 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $22,446, against $17,609 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $11,235 per athlete.
Jacksonville State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). This public school is set in Jacksonville, AL. The program generates about $9,732 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,732 spent per athlete. The school awards about $14,761 in athletic aid per athlete.
North Carolina Central University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). North Carolina Central University is a public school based in Durham, NC. Team revenue averages $8,073 per participant, with expenses of about $8,073 per participant. Athletic aid averages $14,804 per athlete.
University of New Orleans placed #9 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). Based in New Orleans, LA, University of New Orleans is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $17,581, against $17,581 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $9,626 per athlete.
East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division I). East Tennessee State University is a public school based in Johnson City, TN. Team revenue averages $2,591 per participant, compared with $2,591 spent per athlete. The school awards about $11,444 in athletic aid per athlete.
Bethune-Cookman University did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. Team revenue averages $5,628 per participant, with expenses of about $5,628 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,940.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.