by our College Data Analytics Team
Choosing a college as a student athlete means weighing both the classroom and the competition. This list ranks 35 schools for Women’s Swimming & Diving (Division I) by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you decide, College Factual weighs 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 Vanderbilt University, our #1 college for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 993, with a Graduation Success Rate of 95%. Its federal graduation rate is 95%. Team revenue averages $82,859 per participant, against $82,859 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $42,235.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ranked #2 among the best colleges for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus records an NCAA APR of 997, alongside a GSR of 96%. The federal graduation rate stands at 85%. The program generates about $59,866 in revenue per athlete, against $59,866 in expenses. The school awards about $30,613 in athletic aid per athlete.
Drexel University is one of the top schools for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I), at #3. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 997, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 92% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $30,059 in revenue per athlete, compared with $30,059 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $25,843 per athlete.
Ohio State University-Main Campus earned the #4 place for student athletes. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University-Main Campus is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 982, with a Graduation Success Rate of 97%. About 86% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $77,604 in revenue per athlete, against $77,604 in expenses. The school awards about $27,151 in athletic aid per athlete.
Stonehill College came in at #5 on this year's ranking for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, MA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000. The program generates about $22,180 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $22,180 per participant. Athletic aid averages $14,278 per athlete.
William & Mary placed #6 among the best colleges for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Williamsburg, VA, William & Mary is a public institution. William & Mary records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Team revenue averages $29,103 per participant, compared with $9,649 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $15,943 per athlete.
Purdue University-Main Campus came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University-Main Campus is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 96%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,553, with expenses of about $44,896 per participant. The school awards about $19,382 in athletic aid per athlete.
Florida State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 996, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 84% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $31,328 in revenue per athlete, against $31,328 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $13,364 per athlete.
Mount St. Mary's University ranked #9 on our 2026 list for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). This private not-for-profit school is set in Emmitsburg, MD. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 91% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $40,022 in revenue per athlete, compared with $40,022 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $12,910 per athlete.
Xavier University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 995, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. The program generates about $17,049 in revenue per athlete, against $17,049 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $20,280 per athlete.
Old Dominion University ranked #11 on our 2026 list for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 993, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 75% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $25,599, compared with $25,599 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $24,728.
Washington State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. The team's NCAA APR score is 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 90%. The federal graduation rate stands at 77%. Team revenue averages $56,276 per participant, with expenses of about $80,857 per participant. Athletic aid averages $20,338 per athlete.
Providence College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Providence, RI, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Providence College records an NCAA APR of 992, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 95%. The program generates about $9,870 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $9,870 per participant. The school awards about $25,955 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of California-Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot this year. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University of California-Santa Barbara is a public institution. University of California-Santa Barbara records an NCAA APR of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. About 96% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $17,881 per participant, against $17,881 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $11,355.
Queens University of Charlotte landed the #15 spot this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, Queens University of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 85%. The program generates about $24,465 in revenue per athlete, compared with $24,465 spent per athlete. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $13,282.
Campbell University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Campbell University records an NCAA APR of 991, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 81% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $32,947, with expenses of about $32,947 per participant. The school awards about $19,433 in athletic aid per athlete.
Merrimack College placed #17 among the best colleges for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Merrimack College is a private not-for-profit school based in North Andover, MA. Merrimack College records an NCAA APR of 987, with a Graduation Success Rate of 89%. The federal graduation rate stands at 84%. Team revenue averages $32,302 per participant, against $32,302 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $20,394 per athlete.
University of Louisville ranked #18 on our 2026 list for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). University of Louisville is a public school based in Louisville, KY. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 986, with a Graduation Success Rate of 97%. Its federal graduation rate is 83%. Team revenue averages $18,500 per participant, with expenses of about $47,154 per participant. The school awards about $21,083 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of the Pacific landed the #19 spot this year. University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit school based in Stockton, CA. University of the Pacific records an NCAA APR of 979, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 72%. The program generates about $21,182 in revenue per athlete, compared with $21,182 spent per athlete. The school awards about $21,596 in athletic aid per athlete.
Butler University landed the #20 spot this year. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Butler University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 1000, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $10,324, against $9,541 in expenses. The school awards about $12,113 in athletic aid per athlete.
Seattle University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 972, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. About 92% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $18,020 per participant, with expenses of about $17,401 per participant. Athletic aid averages $19,482 per athlete.
University of California-San Diego ranked #22 on our 2026 list for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 989, with a Graduation Success Rate of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. The program generates about $19,003 in revenue per athlete, against $19,003 in expenses. The school awards about $9,847 in athletic aid per athlete.
Gardner-Webb University placed #23 among the best colleges for Women's Swimming & Diving (Division I). Based in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 991, and a 100% Graduation Success Rate. About 92% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $21,842, against $21,842 in expenses. Per-athlete athletic aid is roughly $14,936.
University of North Florida came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Jacksonville, FL, University of North Florida is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 1000, alongside a GSR of 100%. Its federal graduation rate is 100%. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $13,946, with expenses of about $13,946 per participant. The school awards about $8,675 in athletic aid per athlete.
Monmouth University landed the #25 spot this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Long Branch, NJ. The team's NCAA APR score is 985, and a 88% Graduation Success Rate. The federal graduation rate stands at 67%. Team revenue averages $23,091 per participant, against $23,091 in expenses. The school awards about $20,376 in athletic aid per athlete.
These schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is produced 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.