by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. We have ranked 12 schools for Men’s Wrestling 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.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Leading the list is University of Virginia-Main Campus, our #1 college for Men's Wrestling. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public institution. University of Virginia-Main Campus records an NCAA APR of 979, alongside a GSR of 90%. The federal graduation rate stands at 90%. The program generates about $46,775 in revenue per athlete, against $46,775 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $26,976 per athlete.
Washington and Lee University ranked #2 among the best colleges for Men's Wrestling. Washington and Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $9,935, compared with $9,140 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
George Mason University is one of the top schools for Men's Wrestling, at #3. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 984, alongside a GSR of 59%. Its federal graduation rate is 33%. Team revenue averages $35,075 per participant, against $35,075 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,956.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is one of the top schools for Men's Wrestling, at #4. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 953, with a Graduation Success Rate of 81%. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $16,518, against $68,989 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $29,706 per athlete.
Shenandoah University landed the #5 spot for Men's Wrestling. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winchester, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,330, against $4,330 in expenses. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Virginia Military Institute did well this year, earning the #6 position. Virginia Military Institute is a public school based in Lexington, VA. The team's NCAA APR score is 958, with a Graduation Success Rate of 60%. Its federal graduation rate is 55%. Team revenue averages $24,317 per participant, with expenses of about $24,317 per participant. Athletic aid averages $11,028 per athlete.
Emory & Henry University landed the #7 spot this year. Located in Emory, VA, Emory & Henry University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $9,217 in revenue per athlete, compared with $9,217 spent per athlete. The school awards about $5,871 in athletic aid per athlete.
Roanoke College placed #8 among the best colleges for Men's Wrestling. Located in Salem, VA, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $4,179 in revenue per athlete, compared with $4,179 spent per athlete. The school awards about $0 in athletic aid per athlete.
Randolph College landed the #9 spot this year. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Randolph College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $4,573 per participant, against $4,573 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Averett University placed #10 among the best colleges for Men's Wrestling. Located in Danville, VA, Averett University is a private not-for-profit institution. The program generates about $4,319 in revenue per athlete, compared with $4,319 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Southern Virginia University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Men's Wrestling. Located in Buena Vista, VA, Southern Virginia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $4,462, against $4,462 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $90 per athlete.
Ferrum College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ferrum, VA. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $8,625, against $8,625 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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.