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Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

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This ranking is based on which sports at each institution are the most profitable. Profitable sports programs generally indicate that sports teams on that campus are competitive and draw many fans to games or outings.

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Rank	Institution	Sport	Most Profitable Sports	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	University of Notre Dame	Football	81418454	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#1 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Football Most Profitable Sports $81,418,454 17.7% Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
2	University of Notre Dame	Baseball	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#2 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Baseball Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
3	University of Notre Dame	Basketball	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#3 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Basketball Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
4	University of Notre Dame	Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#4 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
5	University of Notre Dame	Fencing	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#5 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Fencing Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
6	University of Notre Dame	Golf	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#6 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Golf Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
7	University of Notre Dame	Ice Hockey	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#7 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Ice Hockey Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
8	University of Notre Dame	Lacrosse	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#8 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Lacrosse Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
9	University of Notre Dame	Rowing	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#9 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Rowing Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
10	University of Notre Dame	Soccer	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#10 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Soccer Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
11	University of Notre Dame	Softball	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#11 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Softball Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
12	University of Notre Dame	Swimming and Diving (combined)	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#12 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Swimming and Diving (combined) Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
13	University of Notre Dame	Tennis	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#13 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Tennis Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210
14	University of Notre Dame	Volleyball	0	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#14 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research university. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish, and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic Leprechaun....Read more Sport Volleyball Most Profitable Sports -- Acceptance Rate 11.3% SAT Score 1,460 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $29,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,210

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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2026 College Rankings

Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

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2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Football

$81,418,454 17.7%

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Baseball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Basketball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Fencing

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Golf

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Ice Hockey

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Lacrosse

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Rowing

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Soccer

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs – Division I-A Independents

Softball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

$81,418,454
17.7%