{"id":2934,"date":"2019-07-24T16:53:25","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T16:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/?post_type=power_ranking&#038;p=2934"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:01:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T17:01:14","slug":"best-colleges","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/best-colleges","title":{"rendered":"Best Colleges for Student-Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-colleges-for-athletes\">Best Colleges for Athletes&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">NCSA Power Rankings help student-athletes and families compare colleges by what matters most: athletic opportunity, academics, and affordability. Choose your sport and division to view rankings and start building your best-fit school list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filter rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncsa-power-ranking-picker\">\n\t<form class=\"power_ranks-filter\">\n\t\t<h4>Filter rankings:<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"webform-component-select\" name=\"divisionID\">\n\t\t\t<select>\n\t\t\t\t<option value=\"\">\u2014 Select a Division \u2014<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >All Divisions<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >NCAA Division 1<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >NCAA Division 2<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >NCAA Division 3<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >NAIA<\/option>\n\t\t\t<\/select>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.2.1 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M201.4 374.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l160-160c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L224 306.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l160 160z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"webform-component-select\" name=\"sportID\">\n\t\t\t<select>\n\t\t\t\t<option value=\"\">\u2014 Select a Sport \u2014<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t<option >All Sports<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Baseball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Cheerleading<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Field Hockey<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Football<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Basketball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Golf<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Ice Hockey<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Lacrosse<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Rowing<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Soccer<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Swimming<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Tennis<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Track and Field<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Volleyball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Water Polo<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Men&#039;s Wrestling<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Softball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Basketball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Beach Volleyball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Golf<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Gymnastics<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Ice Hockey<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Lacrosse<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Rowing<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Soccer<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Swimming<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Tennis<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Track and Field<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Volleyball<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Water Polo<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option >Women&#039;s Wrestling<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/select>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><!--! Font Awesome Pro 6.2.1 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license (Commercial License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d=\"M201.4 374.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l160-160c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L224 306.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l160 160z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<button style=\"margin-left: 10px;\" class=\"button blue\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t<strong>View Rankings<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"bottom\">\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"power-ranking-links field field-name-field-power-ranking-links field-type-entityreference field-label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"power-ranking-links-header\">\n<h2>Best Athletic Colleges<\/h2>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-college-athletic-programs\">Best College Athletic Programs<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-1-colleges\">Best Division 1 Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-2-colleges\">Best Division 2 Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-3-colleges\">Best Division 3 Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-naia-colleges\">Best NAIA Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-baseball-colleges\">Best Baseball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-cheerleading-colleges\">Best Cheerleading Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-field-hockey-colleges\">Best Field Hockey Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-football-colleges\">Best Football Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-basketball-colleges\">Best Men\u2019s Basketball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-golf-colleges\">Best Men\u2019s Golf Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-ice-hockey-colleges\">Best Men\u2019s Hockey Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-lacrosse-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Lacrosse Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-rowing-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Rowing Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-soccer-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Soccer Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-swimming-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Swimming Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-tennis-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Tennis Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-track-and-field-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Track And Field Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-volleyball-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Volleyball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-mens-water-polo-colleges\">Best Men&#8217;s Water Polo Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-wrestling-colleges\">Best Men\u2019s Wrestling Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-softball-colleges\">Best Softball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-womens-basketball-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Basketball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-beach-volleyball-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Beach Volleyball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-womens-golf-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Golf Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-gymnastics-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Gymnastics Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-womens-ice-hockey-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Hockey Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-lacrosse-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Lacrosse Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-rowing-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Rowing Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-soccer-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Soccer Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-swimming-colleges\">Best Women&#8217;s Swimming Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-tennis-colleges\">Best Women\u2019s Tennis Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-track-and-field-colleges\">Best Women\u2019s Track and Field Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-volleyball-colleges\">Best Volleyball Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item odd\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-water-polo-colleges\">Best Water Polo Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"field-item even\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-womens-wrestling-colleges\">Best Women\u2019s Wrestling Colleges<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top colleges for student-athletes (overall)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Want a quick starting point? Here are the top programs overall based on NCSA Power Rankings. Use filters above to see results tailored to your sport and division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Rank<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">School<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Division<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Location<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Quick Stats<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/california\/stanford-university\">Stanford University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Stanford, CA<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$56,169<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$7,200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">2<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/new-jersey\/princeton-university\">Princeton University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Princeton, NJ<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$56,010<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$11,080<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/mens-soccer\/massachusetts\/massachusetts-institute-of-technology\">Massachusetts Institute of Technology \u2013 MIT<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Cambridge, MA<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$55,878<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$5,084<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/massachusetts\/harvard-university\">Harvard University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Cambridge, MA<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$55,587<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$13,259<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/florida\/university-of-florida\">University of Florida<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Gainesville, FL<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$28,659<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$3,679<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">6<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/new-york\/columbia-university\">Columbia University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">New York, NY<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$63,530<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$12,836<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">7<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/connecticut\/yale-university\">Yale University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">New Haven, CT<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$59,950<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$16,341<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">8<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/pennsylvania\/university-of-pennsylvania\">University of Pennsylvania \u2013 Penn<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Philadelphia, PA<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$61,710<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$14,851<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">9<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/football\/california\/university-of-california--los-angeles\">University of California \u2013 Los Angeles \u2013 UCLA<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Los Angeles, CA<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$43,012<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$11,627<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">10<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><a href=\"\/athletic-scholarships\/mens-soccer\/maryland\/johns-hopkins-university\">Johns Hopkins University<\/a><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NCAA Division 3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Baltimore, MD<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Tuition: <strong>$58,720<\/strong><br>Avg. Cost After Aid: <strong>$14,254<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-college-athletic-programs\">View the full Top 100 athletic colleges<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">View best colleges by division (D1, D2, D3, NAIA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-1-colleges\">Best NCAA Division 1 colleges<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-2-colleges\">Best NCAA Division 2 colleges<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-division-3-colleges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best NCAA Division 3 colleges<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-naia-colleges\">Best NAIA colleges<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Popular Power Rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Browse the most visited rankings to quickly narrow your search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-football-colleges\">Best Football Colleges<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-baseball-colleges\">Best Baseball Colleges<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-soccer-colleges\">Best Women\u2019s Soccer Colleges<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-basketball-colleges\">Best Men\u2019s Basketball Colleges<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/best-volleyball-colleges\">Best Women\u2019s Volleyball Colleges<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How NCSA Power Rankings work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">NCSA Power Rankings combine athlete interest with reliable college outcomes to help families compare schools in a consistent way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">NCSA Power Rankings are based on proprietary analysis using &#8220;NCSA Favorites&#8221; which identify the most desirable schools according to <strong>the millions of current high school student athletes<\/strong> on the NCSA platform, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/best-colleges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. News &amp; World Report Best Colleges<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/collegescorecard.ed.gov\/data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard<\/a>\u2018s graduation rates and institutional net cost from the average cost after aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we consider:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Athlete interest: <\/strong>schools that student-athletes on NCSA save and explore most often.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Academics: <\/strong>widely used college ranking signals (e.g., U.S. News &amp; World Report).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Student outcomes:<\/strong> graduation rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Affordability:<\/strong> average net cost after aid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"\/best-colleges\/methodology\">Read the full Power Rankings methodology.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next steps after you find your schools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Once you\u2019ve identified a few favorites, take these steps to move from browsing to building a real recruiting plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Compare schools:<\/strong> cost after aid, graduation rate, roster size, and location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Build your target list:<\/strong> save schools and organize by priority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Start recruiting outreach: <\/strong>learn <a href=\"\/recruiting\/contacting-college-coaches\">how to contact coaches<\/a> and share your athletic profile<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block accordion\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769616329107\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the best colleges for student-athletes?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The best college for a student-athlete depends on sport, division level, academics, cost, and overall fit. Use the filters above to view rankings tailored to your sport and goals.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769616331444\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How does NCSA rank colleges?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>NCSA Power Rankings combine athlete interest on NCSA with trusted academic and outcomes data, including graduation rates and average net cost after aid.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769616332936\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What does \u201caverage cost after aid\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It\u2019s an estimate of what families pay after grants and scholarships are applied. It can help you compare affordability across schools.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769616333988\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Should I choose a college based only on athletics?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Athletics matter, but most student-athletes benefit from balancing competition level with academics, cost, location, and campus experience.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769616335004\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I view rankings by sport and division?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Select your sport and division at the top of the page and click View rankings to see the list that matches your criteria.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sport-division\">Questions about Power Rankings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">For more information on the NCSA Power Rankings, <a href=\"mailto:IMGAcademyCommunications@img.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">email us<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncsa-related-articles\" class=\"alignfull\">\n\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles<\/h2>\n\t<div class=\"splide related-articles-active related-articles-block\" data-splide={&quot;rewind&quot;:false,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;autoplay&quot;:false,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;loop&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:true,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;10px&quot;,&quot;drag&quot;:&quot;free&quot;,&quot;focus&quot;:&quot;center&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:false,&quot;perPage&quot;:1,&quot;autoScroll&quot;:{&quot;speed&quot;:0.5,&quot;pauseOnHover&quot;:false,&quot;pauseOnFocus&quot;:false}} aria-label=\"Related article\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"splide__slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-articles-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-articles-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/the-college-application-process-430x228.jpg\" alt=\"How to Choose a College That\u2019s Right For You\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-articles-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>How to Choose a College That\u2019s Right For You<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"splide__slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-articles-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"related-articles-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/what-makes-your-perfect-college--430x242.jpg\" alt=\"How NCSA Helps You Find Your Best College Fit\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-articles-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>How NCSA Helps You Find Your Best College Fit<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__arrows\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Best Colleges for Athletes&nbsp; NCSA Power Rankings help student-athletes and families compare colleges by what matters most: athletic opportunity, academics, and affordability. Choose your sport and division to view rankings and start building your best-fit school list. Filter rankings Best Athletic Colleges Best College Athletic Programs Best Division 1 Colleges Best Division 2 Colleges Best [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"single-ranking_page","meta":{"tracking_event":"17246","ncsa_post_menu":0,"ncsa_post_menu_title":"","ncsa_ch_large_screen_images":[],"ncsa_ch_large_screen_video_type":"","ncsa_ch_large_screen_video_url":"","ncsa_ch_inner_blocks":"","ncsa_ch_large_screen_video_url_webm":"","ncsa_ch_large_screen_video_id":0,"ncsa_ch_large_screen_video_id_webm":0,"ncsa_ch_small_screen_image":[],"ncsa_ch_use_optimal_image_sizes":false,"ncsa_breadcrumbs":[{"label":"College Recruiting","postId":3042,"postType":"page"},{"label":"Best Colleges for Student Athletes","postId":null,"postType":null}],"ncsa_breadcrumbs_schema_only":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"content_category":[569],"class_list":["post-2934","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","content_category-power-ranking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2934\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ncsasports.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_category?post=2934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}