by our College Data Analytics Team
Picking a college for your sport means looking beyond the field or court. Our ranking highlights 297 programs for Men’s Baseball (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, College Factual evaluates each program using 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:
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 college for Men's Baseball (Division I). Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University records an NCAA APR of 997, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 96% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $114,322, compared with $114,322 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $42,012 per athlete.
Northwestern University came in at #2 on this year's ranking for Men's Baseball (Division I). Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University records an NCAA APR of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 87%. The program generates about $60,849 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $80,977 per participant. Athletic aid averages $53,919 per athlete.
University of Notre Dame earned the #3 place for student athletes. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. The program generates about $80,279 in revenue per athlete, against $80,279 in expenses. The school awards about $34,391 in athletic aid per athlete.
Duke University ranked #4 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. Its federal graduation rate is 76%. The program generates about $72,624 in revenue per athlete, against $114,877 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $34,321 per athlete.
University of Virginia-Main Campus ranked #5 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 58%. Team revenue averages $156,028 per participant, against $156,028 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $26,976.
Boston College placed #6 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team's NCAA APR score is 998, alongside a GSR of 92%. The federal graduation rate stands at 80%. The program generates about $91,797 in revenue per athlete, compared with $91,797 spent per athlete. The school awards about $29,391 in athletic aid per athlete.
Northeastern University placed #7 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 71%. The program generates about $52,995 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $52,995 per participant. The school awards about $24,558 in athletic aid per athlete.
George Washington University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Men's Baseball (Division I). George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 1000, and a 95% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 65%. Team revenue averages $49,539 per participant, compared with $49,539 spent per athlete. The school awards about $29,880 in athletic aid per athlete.
Fordham University ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Men's Baseball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Bronx, NY. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 95%. Team revenue averages $44,103 per participant, with expenses of about $44,103 per participant. The school awards about $32,443 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Richmond landed the #10 spot this year. Located in University of Richmond, VA, University of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, alongside a GSR of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 83%. Team revenue averages $45,709 per participant, compared with $45,709 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,609.
The University of Alabama placed #11 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). Based in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University of Alabama is a public institution. The University of Alabama records an NCAA APR of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 67%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $136,100, against $136,100 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $20,760.
Vanderbilt University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 990, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. About 39% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $219,459 per participant, against $219,459 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,235.
Auburn University placed #13 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. The team's NCAA APR score is 998, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. The federal graduation rate stands at 38%. Team revenue averages $96,157 per participant, compared with $176,061 spent per athlete. The school awards about $28,233 in athletic aid per athlete.
Elon University placed #14 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Elon, NC. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 998, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. Its federal graduation rate is 86%. Team revenue averages $46,085 per participant, compared with $46,085 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $25,795 per athlete.
Ohio State University-Main Campus placed #15 among the best colleges for Men's Baseball (Division I). Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 987, alongside a GSR of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 58%. The program generates about $104,407 in revenue per athlete, compared with $104,407 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $27,151.
University of California-Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2026 list for Men's Baseball (Division I). Based in Los Angeles, CA, University of California-Los Angeles is a public institution. University of California-Los Angeles records an NCAA APR of 983, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 64%. Team revenue averages $129,983 per participant, against $129,983 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $24,306 per athlete.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 990, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 26% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $186,665, compared with $208,105 spent per athlete. The school awards about $29,054 in athletic aid per athlete.
Wake Forest University ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Men's Baseball (Division I). Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 983, alongside a GSR of 94%. About 60% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $129,593, against $129,593 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $38,933 per athlete.
University of Southern California did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 973, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 63% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $147,464 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $147,464 per participant. Athletic aid averages $40,006 per athlete.
Rice University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 986, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 50%. Team revenue averages $81,935 per participant, against $81,935 in expenses. The school awards about $41,166 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Miami landed the #21 spot this year. Based in Coral Gables, FL, University of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 986, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 17%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $165,038, against $165,038 in expenses. The school awards about $38,474 in athletic aid per athlete.
Villanova University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 992, with a Graduation Success Rate of 94%. The federal graduation rate stands at 84%. Team revenue averages $44,031 per participant, compared with $44,031 spent per athlete. The school awards about $25,480 in athletic aid per athlete.
Belmont University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 81% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $45,170 in revenue per athlete, against $45,170 in expenses. The school awards about $21,742 in athletic aid per athlete.
Clemson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list for Men's Baseball (Division I). Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University records an NCAA APR of 983, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. The federal graduation rate stands at 56%. Team revenue averages $193,564 per participant, against $193,564 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $21,730 per athlete.
Indiana University-Bloomington landed the #25 spot this year. Indiana University-Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 96%. About 50% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $85,172 per participant, with expenses of about $85,172 per participant. The school awards about $23,161 in athletic aid per athlete.
These programs also stood out among the best this year:
These colleges also performed well in our ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA |
| 52 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS |
| 53 | Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT |
| 54 | Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
| 55 | Abilene Christian University | Abilene, TX |
| 56 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| 57 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 58 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA |
| 59 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| 60 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, TX |
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
