by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 10 schools for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field (Division III) 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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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
No school ranked higher than California Institute of Technology this year for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Pasadena, CA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,031, compared with $4,031 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Willamette University is one of the top schools for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III), at #2. Based in Salem, OR, Willamette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,264, against $4,264 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Chapman University landed the #3 spot for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Based in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $2,315 in revenue per athlete, against $2,315 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
California Lutheran University landed the #4 spot for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Located in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $2,622 in revenue per athlete, compared with $2,622 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Lewis & Clark College earned the #5 place for student athletes. This private not-for-profit school is set in Portland, OR. The program generates about $3,293 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $3,293 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Redlands placed #6 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Based in Redlands, CA, University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,297, with expenses of about $3,996 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Pacific Lutheran University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,935, with expenses of about $2,935 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of La Verne placed #8 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Located in La Verne, CA, University of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,623, compared with $2,493 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Whitworth University ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $2,340, against $2,119 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Linfield University landed the #10 spot this year. Linfield University is a private not-for-profit school based in McMinnville, OR. Team revenue averages $3,932 per participant, with expenses of about $2,504 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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
See our data sources and methodologies.