by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 11 colleges for Women’s Volleyball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, 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.
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Explore the leading programs below:
Our analysis found Lipscomb University to be the best college for Women's Volleyball (Division I) in Tennessee. Located in Nashville, TN, Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 100%. The program generates about $88,684 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $88,684 per participant. The school awards about $18,176 in athletic aid per athlete.
Belmont University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Volleyball (Division I). Based in Nashville, TN, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 78% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $70,943 per participant, compared with $70,943 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $21,742 per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranked #3 among the best colleges for Women's Volleyball (Division I). This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 82%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $20,760, against $159,880 in expenses. The school awards about $29,054 in athletic aid per athlete.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #4 among the best colleges for Women's Volleyball (Division I). Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Middle Tennessee State University records an NCAA APR of 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 28%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $75,864, compared with $75,864 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,110.
University of Memphis earned the #5 place for student athletes. Based in Memphis, TN, University of Memphis is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 33%. The program generates about $60,011 in revenue per athlete, against $60,011 in expenses. The school awards about $16,106 in athletic aid per athlete.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on our 2026 list for Women's Volleyball (Division I). Tennessee Technological University is a public school based in Cookeville, TN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 69%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $48,948, against $48,948 in expenses. The school awards about $14,453 in athletic aid per athlete.
Austin Peay State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Clarksville, TN, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 988, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 90%. Team revenue averages $58,677 per participant, against $58,677 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,483.
East Tennessee State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. East Tennessee State University is a public school based in Johnson City, TN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 994, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 78%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $40,797, with expenses of about $40,797 per participant. The school awards about $11,444 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Volleyball (Division I). Based in Chattanooga, TN, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 988, and a 90% Graduation Success Rate. About 100% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $16,959 in revenue per athlete, compared with $16,959 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,025 in athletic aid per athlete.
Tennessee State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. The team's NCAA APR score is 944, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 50%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $38,779, compared with $38,779 spent per athlete. The school awards about $13,651 in athletic aid per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Martin did well this year, earning the #11 position. The University of Tennessee-Martin is a public school based in Martin, TN. The University of Tennessee-Martin records an NCAA APR of 971, with a Graduation Success Rate of 91%. The federal graduation rate stands at 75%. Team revenue averages $33,052 per participant, against $32,524 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $9,021.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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.