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BEST COLLEGES FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

BEST COLLEGES FOR ATHLETES 

Moore Management Power Rankings recognize the best colleges for student athletes. What makes a school “best” for student athletes? Size, location, academics, and cost, just to name a few. Moore Management analyzes schools by what matters most to athletes and families to offer a comprehensive list of the top sports colleges in the U.S. Choose your sport and division level below to view the college rankings. 

Moore Management Power Rankings are based on proprietary analysis using “Moore Management Favorites” which identify the most desirable schools according to the millions of current high school student athletes on the Moore Management platform, U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard‘s graduation rates and institutional net cost from the average cost after aid.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU 

Choosing a college that’s right for you can be a difficult process. But if you take the proper approach, things will go a lot more smoothly and you’ll be more likely to be satisfied with the results. Stick to these steps when choosing a college: 

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  • Identify colleges that offer the right fit, academically 

  • Identify colleges that offer the right fit, athletically 

  • Identify colleges that offer the right fit, financially 

  • Identify colleges that offer the right fit, socially 

 

If you want to know how to find the best college, identifying colleges which offer the right fit will surely increase your chances of having a successful college career. In the following section, we cover each fit in more depth and offer some tips for what to look for.   

FINDING THE RIGHT COLLEGE (WHAT TO LOOK FOR) 

  1. Academic fit: Athletic scholarships don’t guarantee school acceptance; academic qualifications matter. Consider your desired major and academic commitment alongside sports. Seek advice on managing course loads from coaches and potential teammates. Former D1 coach stresses academics in recruiting. 

  2. Athletic fit: Focus on the right division level for you, as less than 2% reach D1. Aim for schools where you contribute significantly, like D2, D3, NAIA, or junior colleges, all with great opportunities and scholarships. Understand division differences to find your fit. Watch a video on how coaches select recruits based on athletic fit. 

  3. Financial fit: Assess affordability and potential aid at each school, considering athletic scholarships and other aid types. Investigate aid options at every school you consider. Explore tips on finding the right financial fit for your family. 

  4. Social fit: Choose a comfortable school as it’s your home for four years. Evaluate campus environment, location, size, dorms, and social atmosphere during visits. Seek feedback from current students. Also, consider distance from home and climate. Maintain a checklist of personal preferences. Get advice from Moore Management recruiting experts on choosing a socially fitting school. 

COLLEGE SEARCH TIPS 

Student athletes typically have a couple dream schools in mind when they begin their recruiting journey. But the chances of coaches at those schools recruiting their position and offering a scholarship might be slim. That is why we tell every student athlete to keep their options open, research several programs and build a school list to maximize opportunities and find their best college fit. ​

Insider Tip: When you sign up to join Moore Management you get access to a College Search feature where you can easily filter through schools based on your specific athletic, academic and college fit criteria. Get started with a free recruiting profile today! 

Starting early in high school, student athletes should begin to build a list of potential colleges. This list should include five safety schools, ten target schools and five dream schools. 

  • Target schools: These are the schools where you have the most realistic chance of getting in and will be the right fit not only athletically, but academically, financially and socially. 

  • Dream schools: Maybe these schools are a stretch academically, where you will need to improve significantly to qualify athletically or maybe too expensive without significant financial aid. You should have these dream schools on your list but recognize they might be a stretch. 

  • Safety schools: These are the schools you have on your list as your back-up plan. Keep your options open and consider schools that you otherwise might not have before starting your research. While these schools may not be your first choice, they’re still a good fit. 

Best men’s basketball colleges 

View the top 100 colleges for men’s basketball overall or view the top 50 D1, D2, D3, and NAIA men’s basketball colleges below: 

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Best Division 1 Men’s Basketball Colleges 

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Best Division 2 Men’s Basketball Colleges 

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Best Division 3 Men’s Basketball Colleges 

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Best NAIA Men’s Basketball Colleges 

Best women’s basketball colleges 

View the top 100 colleges for women’s basketball overall or view the top 50 D1, D2, D3, and NAIA men’s basketball colleges below: 

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Best Division 1 Women’s Basketball Colleges 

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Best Division 2 Women’s Basketball Colleges  

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Best Division 3 Women’s Basketball Colleges  

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Best NAIA Women’s Basketball Colleges 

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