2026 Best Colleges for Men’s Volleyball in California

1

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking for Men's Volleyball. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 996, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 92%. The program generates about $77,690 in revenue per athlete, against $77,690 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $40,006 per athlete.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Men's Volleyball. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 995, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Team revenue averages $76,378 per participant, against $76,378 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,012.

3

University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University of California-Los Angeles earned the #3 place for student athletes. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The team's NCAA APR score is 987, and a 89% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 82%. Team revenue averages $111,571 per participant, with expenses of about $111,571 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $24,306.

4

University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University of California-Santa Cruz landed the #4 spot for Men's Volleyball. Based in Santa Cruz, CA, University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,745, with expenses of about $10,745 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.

5

University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University of California-Santa Barbara ranked #5 among the best colleges for Men's Volleyball. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 90%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $46,963, against $46,963 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,355.

6

University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University of California-San Diego did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $34,721, against $34,721 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,847.

7

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Thousand Oaks, CA. The program generates about $12,174 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $12,174 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $0.

8

California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University-Long Beach placed #8 among the best colleges for Men's Volleyball. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University-Long Beach is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 985, alongside a GSR of 91%. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $82,026 per participant, with expenses of about $82,026 per participant. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $8,770.

9

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Malibu, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 976, alongside a GSR of 75%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $58,465, with expenses of about $58,465 per participant. The school awards about $27,861 in athletic aid per athlete.

10

University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA

University of California-Irvine landed the #10 spot this year. Located in Irvine, CA, University of California-Irvine is a public institution. University of California-Irvine records an NCAA APR of 971, with a Graduation Success Rate of 83%. The federal graduation rate stands at 60%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $50,710, compared with $50,710 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,955 in athletic aid per athlete.

11

California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University-Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Men's Volleyball. California State University-Northridge is a public school based in Northridge, CA. California State University-Northridge records an NCAA APR of 983, and a 88% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. Team revenue averages $39,825 per participant, compared with $35,433 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,174.

12

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

University of California-Merced landed the #12 spot this year. Based in Merced, CA, University of California-Merced is a public institution. Team revenue averages $12,229 per participant, against $12,124 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $1,179.

13

Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University-Irvine placed #13 among the best colleges for Men's Volleyball. Based in Irvine, CA, Concordia University-Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $14,553, with expenses of about $14,553 per participant. The school awards about $7,027 in athletic aid per athlete.

14

Menlo College
Atherton, CA

Menlo College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Menlo College is a private not-for-profit school based in Atherton, CA. The program generates about $23,382 in revenue per athlete, against $23,382 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,086.