by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 10 programs for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluates each program using 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:
Our analysis found California State University-San Bernardino to be the best college for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II) in the Far Western Region. Based in San Bernardino, CA, California State University-San Bernardino is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $17,325, compared with $17,260 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $5,698.
California State University-Chico earned the #2 place for student athletes. This public school is set in Chico, CA. Team revenue averages $7,091 per participant, compared with $7,502 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $2,367 per athlete.
Sonoma State University landed the #3 spot for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). This public school is set in Rohnert Park, CA. Team revenue averages $4,039 per participant, with expenses of about $4,039 per participant. Athletic aid averages $3,732 per athlete.
University of California-Merced landed the #4 spot for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). University of California-Merced is a public school based in Merced, CA. The program generates about $4,500 in revenue per athlete, against $4,596 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $1,179 per athlete.
California State University-Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). This public school is set in Carson, CA. The program generates about $10,005 in revenue per athlete, against $10,005 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $3,780 per athlete.
University of Alaska Anchorage landed the #6 spot this year. This public school is set in Anchorage, AK. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $17,933, against $17,933 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $7,371.
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,050, with expenses of about $8,050 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,480.
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). Based in Arcata, CA, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is a public institution. The program generates about $11,995 in revenue per athlete, against $6,678 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $4,418 per athlete.
California State University-Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution. Team revenue averages $3,635 per participant, with expenses of about $3,635 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $3,687.
Western Oregon University landed the #10 spot this year. Located in Monmouth, OR, Western Oregon University is a public institution. The program generates about $3,423 in revenue per athlete, against $3,423 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $2,713.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published 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.
