by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 6 schools for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (Division II) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, 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.
Want to narrow by division or explore related lists? Use the shortcuts below.
Explore the leading programs below:
No school ranked higher than Barton College this year for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). Based in Wilson, NC, Barton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $6,294 in revenue per athlete, against $6,294 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $6,654 per athlete.
Winston-Salem State University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). This public school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. The program generates about $14,259 in revenue per athlete, compared with $14,259 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $6,441.
Fayetteville State University landed the #3 spot for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). This public school is set in Fayetteville, NC. The program generates about $8,530 in revenue per athlete, against $8,530 in expenses. The school awards about $5,674 in athletic aid per athlete.
Johnson C Smith University came in at #4 on this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). Located in Charlotte, NC, Johnson C Smith University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $6,154 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $6,154 per participant. The school awards about $6,550 in athletic aid per athlete.
Belmont Abbey College earned the #5 place for student athletes. Belmont Abbey College is a private not-for-profit school based in Belmont, NC. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $3,946, with expenses of about $3,946 per participant. Athletic aid averages $2,908 per athlete.
Shaw University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division II). Based in Raleigh, NC, Shaw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $6,000, with expenses of about $6,000 per participant. The school awards about $7,825 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.