This ranking is based on the profitability of each sports program at a college or university, divided by the number of college athletes on in that sport. Institutions with higher profitability per athlete may have an overall higher profit from sports or a relatively lower number of student athletes.
| Rank | Institution | Sport | Most Profitable Sports per Student Athlete | Acceptance Rate | SAT Score | Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price | Median Starting Salary | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piedmont University | Volleyball | 100922.62 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#1
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 2 | Covenant College | Volleyball | 3378.72 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 3 | Piedmont University | Softball | 2880.46 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#3
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 4 | Covenant College | Basketball | 2340.78 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 5 | Maryville College | Volleyball | 1596.06 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 6 | Maryville College | Softball | 1448.71 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 7 | Maryville College | Cross Country | 1189.69 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 8 | Piedmont University | Other Sports | 1169.02 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#8
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 9 | Covenant College | Golf | 1066.33 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 10 | Covenant College | Soccer | 1028.83 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 11 | Covenant College | Cross Country | 952.2 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 12 | Maryville College | Baseball | 877.3 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 13 | Maryville College | Basketball | 578.39 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 14 | Maryville College | Football | 494.15 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 15 | Covenant College | Baseball | 458.63 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 16 | Covenant College | Tennis | 387.27 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 17 | Maryville College | Soccer | 335.53 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 18 | Covenant College | Softball | 296.09 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 19 | Piedmont University | Basketball | 294.43 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#19
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 20 | Piedmont University | Swimming | 234.44 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#20
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
|
| 21 | Maryville College | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 230.68 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
|
| 22 | Piedmont University | Lacrosse | 143.3 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#22
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
|
| 23 | Covenant College | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 10.87 | 86.51 | 1,150 – 1,380 | 25471 | 39570 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthCovenant College
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| 24 | Berea College | Baseball | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 25 | Berea College | Basketball | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 26 | Berea College | Golf | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 27 | Berea College | Soccer | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 28 | Berea College | Softball | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 29 | Berea College | Tennis | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 30 | Berea College | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 31 | Berea College | Cross Country | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 32 | Berea College | Volleyball | 0 | 19.34 | 1,150 – 1,320 | 4379 | 35676 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthBerea College
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| 33 | Piedmont University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | -66.42 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#33
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 34 | Piedmont University | Golf | -214.33 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#34
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 35 | Piedmont University | Tennis | -322.14 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#35
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 36 | Maryville College | Tennis | -332.43 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
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| 37 | Piedmont University | Soccer | -402.02 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#37
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 38 | Piedmont University | Baseball | -577.44 | 93.28 | 1,020 – 1,240 | 21599 | 43761 |
#38
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthPiedmont University
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| 39 | Maryville College | Golf | -859.36 | 60.92 | 1,040 – 1,300 | 20990 | 39305 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Collegiate Conference of the SouthMaryville College
|
School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.
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