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Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Division I-A Independents

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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.

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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	University of Notre Dame	Football	656600.44	11.27	1,460 – 1,550	29083	86210	#1 2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete $656,600 12.0% 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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 per Student Athlete – 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 per Student Athlete -- 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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Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Division I-A Independents

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

Football

$656,600 12.0%

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Baseball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Basketball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Fencing

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Golf

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Ice Hockey

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Lacrosse

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Rowing

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Soccer

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

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

Softball

--

11.3%

1,460 – 1,550

$29,083

$86,210

$656,600
12.0%