2026 College Rankings

Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges

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D3 Colleges

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NCAA Division III (D3) colleges offer student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a collegiate level while pursuing a balanced academic and athletic experience. These institutions are an ideal choice for those seeking both high academic standards and continued athletic involvement. This list represents Hidden Gem colleges with a D3 athletic classification.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school's selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We've outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	D3 Colleges	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Grove City College	1	72.32	1,150 – 1,370	24184	63721	#1 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Grove City College Grove City, PA Grove City College is a non-denominational college founded in 1876. With an 88% first year retention rate, 87% of students will graduate in 4 years. Mechanical Engineering is the most popular undergraduate major. D3 Colleges 1.00 Acceptance Rate 72.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,184 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
2	Pitzer College	2	25.16	1,190 – 1,370	34801	51784	#2 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Pitzer College Claremont, CA Pitzer College’s motto is “Mindful of the Future” (“Provida Futuri” in Latin). It’s extremely selective and out of the accepted students during the last admissions cycle, 34% enrolled. 81% of undergraduates graduate in four years, 88% in six. Pitzer is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium. D3 Colleges 2.00 Acceptance Rate 25.2% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $34,801 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,784
3	Bryn Mawr College	3	29.43	1,300 – 1,500	39383	53102	#3 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA Bryn Mawr College is an extremely selective school. Part of the Seven Sisters College Consortium, it has a 92% first year retention rate and an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school motto is “Veritatem Dilexi,” which is Latin for “I Delight in the Truth.” D3 Colleges 3.00 Acceptance Rate 29.4% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $39,383 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,102
4	Wheaton College	4	89.98	1,270 – 1,440	31346	50270	#4 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Wheaton College was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860 and would become a stop on the Underground Railroad. Business/Managerial Economics is the most popular major....Read more D3 Colleges 4.00 Acceptance Rate 90.0% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $31,346 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,270
5	Scripps College	5	38.29	1,430 – 1,520	45505	68027	#5 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Scripps College Claremont, CA A member of the Claremont Colleges, Scripps College is a liberal arts women’s school well known for its extensive curriculum and historic, beautiful campus. In fact, their campus is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Scripps has a 94% first year retention rate. D3 Colleges 5.00 Acceptance Rate 38.3% SAT Score 1,430 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $45,505 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $68,027
6	Centre College	6	55.53	1,240 – 1,430	23780	50073	#6 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Centre College Danville, KY Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” Offering up to Bachelor's degrees, the school has 26 degree programs, with Economics, Other being the most sought after. Centre also has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1. D3 Colleges 6.00 Acceptance Rate 55.5% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $23,780 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,073
7	Yeshiva University	7	55.62	1,320 – 1,490	38118	60252	#7 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Yeshiva University New York, NY Yeshiva University has four undergraduate schools: Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Katz School of Science and Health, and Syms School of Business. The main campus is in Manhattan, but campuses, buildings, and facilities can also be found throughout other New York City boroughs and in Israel. D3 Colleges 7.00 Acceptance Rate 55.6% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $38,118 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,252
8	Muhlenberg College	8	64.01	1,250 – 1,400	31814	53265	#8 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA In addition to an 82-acre campus, Muhlenberg College also maintains nearby 60-acre Graver Arboretum and 40-acre Raker Wildlife Preserve. Most of their programs focus on liberal arts and pre-professional education – Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General is a popular area of study....Read more D3 Colleges 8.00 Acceptance Rate 64.0% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $31,814 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,265
9	The University of the South	9	56.9	1,230 – 1,400	33616	53456	#9 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges The University of the South Sewanee, TN The University of the South, or Sewanee, sits on 13,000 acres. The grounds are often called “The Domain” or “The Mountain,” and have several Gothic-styled buildings. The university’s magazine, “Sewanee Review,” has been running since 1892, making it the oldest continuous literary magazine in the country. D3 Colleges 9.00 Acceptance Rate 56.9% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $33,616 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,456
10	Wabash College	10	63.3	1,070 – 1,280	23913	52667	#10 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN Wabash College is an all men’s school with a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% of students receive grant aid - around $38,864 each - and 83% graduate within six years. The student paper, “The Bachelor,” has been in publication since the early 1900s. D3 Colleges 10.00 Acceptance Rate 63.3% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $23,913 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,667
11	Lawrence University	11	63.94	1,190 – 1,410	27393	40653	#11 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Lawrence University Appleton, WI Lawrence University, founded in 1847 as one of the nation’s first coeducational institutions, offers a rigorous liberal arts and sciences education alongside its world-renowned Conservatory of Music....Read more D3 Colleges 11.00 Acceptance Rate 63.9% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $27,393 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,653
12	Washington College	12	56.89	1,160 – 1,400	33553	48763	#12 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Washington College Chestertown, MD The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School, making it the 10th oldest college in the United States. It was also the first college chartered after the American Revolution, and George Washington was heavily involved in the founding. The school received its current name in 1782. D3 Colleges 12.00 Acceptance Rate 56.9% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $33,553 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,763
13	Principia College	13	42.99	1,060 – 1,250	14904	63721	#13 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Principia College Elsah, IL Principia College offers up to Bachelor's degrees. Found on the Mississippi River, part of the campus is named a National Historic Landmark District. Class sizes are extremely small, with an average 6 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 82% of students stay on after the first year and 86% graduate within six years. D3 Colleges 13.00 Acceptance Rate 43.0% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $14,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
14	College of Saint Benedict	14	88.87	1,040 – 1,280	29720	54567	#14 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN Partnered with Saint John’s University for men, the College of Saint Benedict is exclusively for women. The school got its start in 1913 with only six students. Since 1955, the two campuses have shared resources. CSB has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, 86% first year retention rate, and 74% four year graduation rate. D3 Colleges 14.00 Acceptance Rate 88.9% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $29,720 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,567
15	Willamette University	15	77.09	1,260 – 1,420	27716	38932	#15 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Willamette University Salem, OR Willamette University is the oldest college in the Western United States, having opened in 1842. It has an 87% first year retention rate, 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 72% six year graduation rate. Willamette offers 37 programs, and many study Law, Business Administration and Management, and General. D3 Colleges 15.00 Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $27,716 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,932
16	Gustavus Adolphus College	16	61.8	1,210 – 1,400	28805	51546	#16 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Psychology, General is the most popular major at Gustavus Adolphus College. A fairly selective school, it received 4,450 applications during the last admissions cycle and accepted 2,750 of them. The college has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 84% first year retention rate. D3 Colleges 16.00 Acceptance Rate 61.8% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $28,805 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,546
17	John Carroll University	17	80.9	1,200 – 1,390	30790	53187	#17 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges John Carroll University University Heights, OH John Carroll University was founded in 1886 as the St. Ignatius College. It changed its name to its current moniker in 1923 and became coeducational in 1968. Many of the buildings on the 65-acre campus are of Collegiate Gothic architecture. JCU has a first year retention rate of 83%. D3 Colleges 17.00 Acceptance Rate 80.9% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $30,790 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,187
18	Wheaton College (Massachusetts)	18	71.33	1,150 – 1,320	31638	51607	#18 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, MA Wheaton College got its start as the Wheaton Female Seminary in 1834. It received its current moniker in 1912 and began admitting men in 1988. To offer more courses to students, Wheaton has partnerships with Brown University and nine other local schools....Read more D3 Colleges 18.00 Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $31,638 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,607
19	Saint Johns University	19	77.43	1,080 – 1,280	29473	59843	#19 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Saint Johns University Collegeville, MN Saint John’s University is an all-male school that has a partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, the women’s college. They share curriculum and access to resources. Saint John’s has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 85% first year retention rate. D3 Colleges 19.00 Acceptance Rate 77.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $29,473 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,843
20	Messiah University	20	78.97	1,130 – 1,360	29882	50192	#20 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Messiah University has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Originally known as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training House in 1909, the school became a college in 1951 and a university in 2020. Incoming students have to sign a Community Covenant. D3 Colleges 20.00 Acceptance Rate 79.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $29,882 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,192
21	Kalamazoo College	21	75.33	1,210 – 1,380	26050	46137	#21 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo College is the leading producer of Peace Corps members out of small liberal arts colleges. Its motto is “Lux Esto,” which is Latin for “Be Light.” Many of K College’s faculty hold a terminal degree in their field. Students follow the “K Plan” – an academic plan that focuses on liberal arts, study abroad, and community. D3 Colleges 21.00 Acceptance Rate 75.3% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $26,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,137
22	Transylvania University	22	86.55	1,180 – 1,380	25634	40447	#22 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Transylvania University Lexington, KY It may come as no surprise, but Transylvania University’s mascot is a bat – and their school color is crimson. Halloween is a big deal at the school, featuring a week-long celebration. It ends with Pumpkinmania, where the steps of a campus building are lined with carved pumpkins....Read more D3 Colleges 22.00 Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $25,634 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,447
23	Ursinus College	23	91.77	1,220 – 1,390	31625	54542	#23 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Ursinus College Collegeville, PA 100% of students at Ursinus College receive grant aid, around $43,758 per student. The school sits on a 170-acre campus and has several programs that promote STEM, including the Supporting Inclusive Excellence Program and Science in Motion. Applied Economics is a popular area of study among its undergraduates. D3 Colleges 23.00 Acceptance Rate 91.8% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $31,625 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,542
24	Maine Maritime Academy	24	56.06	1,100 – 1,260	21433	93944	#24 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Located on a peninsula on the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school. Students aren’t required to join the military after graduation. Many study Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. A fairly selective school, 30% of those accepted enroll. D3 Colleges 24.00 Acceptance Rate 56.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $21,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $93,944
25	Simmons University	25	66	1,190 – 1,370	29575	61420	#25 Top 25 Hidden Gem Division 3 Colleges Simmons University Boston, MA Simmons University is a private women’s institution, though the graduate school does admit men. It was founded as a college in 1899 and became a university in 2018. Simmons has an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 82% first year retention rate. 99% of students receive institutional grant aid. D3 Colleges 25.00 Acceptance Rate 66.0% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $29,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,420