by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. Our ranking highlights 6 colleges 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 scores each program on 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.
Looking for a different division or a related ranking? Pick a path below.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Our analysis found Case Western Reserve University to be the best college for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III) in Ohio. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,892, compared with $1,892 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Oberlin College ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Oberlin, OH. Team revenue averages $2,236 per participant, against $2,236 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Kenyon College came in at #3 on this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). This private not-for-profit school is set in Gambier, OH. The program generates about $686 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $686 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.
Ohio Northern University earned the #4 place for student athletes. Based in Ada, OH, Ohio Northern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,744, compared with $1,744 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Franciscan University of Steubenville came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Outdoor Track and Field (Division III). Based in Steubenville, OH, Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,640, with expenses of about $1,523 per participant. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Muskingum University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in New Concord, OH, Muskingum University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $1,736, with expenses of about $1,736 per participant. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.