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 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Other Sports | 7470.56 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
#1
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 2 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Ice Hockey | 5128.72 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 3 | Saint Martin's University | Baseball | 4684.02 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
#3
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 4 | Saint Martin's University | Softball | 4068.56 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 5 | Saint Martin's University | Volleyball | 2424.86 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 6 | Saint Martin's University | Basketball | 2102.55 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 7 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Track and Field (Indoor) | 1340.31 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
#7
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 8 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 1340.31 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 9 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Skiing | 1220.31 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 10 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Rifle | 951.56 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 11 | Saint Martin's University | Soccer | 945.24 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 12 | Central Washington University | Baseball | 861.14 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 13 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Basketball | 762.64 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 14 | Central Washington University | Basketball | 758 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 15 | Saint Martin's University | Golf | 696.23 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 16 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Cross Country | 437.12 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 17 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Volleyball | 372.24 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 18 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Cross Country | 259.95 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 19 | Central Washington University | Soccer | 129.6 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 20 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Swimming | 129.14 | 62.12 | 1,030 – 1,270 | 9985 | 40746 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
|
| 21 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Basketball | 85.5 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 22 | Saint Martin's University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 67.29 | 89.8 | 940 – 1,170 | 22779 | 57998 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSaint Martin's University
|
| 23 | Central Washington University | Other Sports | 16.38 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 24 | Central Washington University | Football | 0 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 25 | Central Washington University | Softball | 0 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 26 | Central Washington University | Volleyball | 0 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 27 | Montana State University Billings | Baseball | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 28 | Montana State University Billings | Basketball | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 29 | Montana State University Billings | Golf | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 30 | Montana State University Billings | Soccer | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 31 | Montana State University Billings | Softball | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 32 | Montana State University Billings | Track and Field (Indoor) | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 33 | Montana State University Billings | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 34 | Montana State University Billings | Cross Country | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 35 | Montana State University Billings | Volleyball | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 36 | Montana State University Billings | Other Sports | 0 | 99.91 | 930 – 1,140 | 13252 | 39531 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University Billings
|
| 37 | Northwest Nazarene University | Baseball | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 38 | Northwest Nazarene University | Basketball | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 39 | Northwest Nazarene University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 40 | Northwest Nazarene University | Golf | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 41 | Northwest Nazarene University | Soccer | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 42 | Northwest Nazarene University | Softball | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 43 | Northwest Nazarene University | Volleyball | 0 | 71.59 | 1,040 – 1,250 | 27291 | 45488 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceNorthwest Nazarene University
|
| 44 | Seattle Pacific University | Basketball | 0 | 83.39 | 1,070 – 1,310 | 26155 | 51496 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSeattle Pacific University
|
| 45 | Seattle Pacific University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 0 | 83.39 | 1,070 – 1,310 | 26155 | 51496 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSeattle Pacific University
|
| 46 | Seattle Pacific University | Rowing | 0 | 83.39 | 1,070 – 1,310 | 26155 | 51496 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSeattle Pacific University
|
| 47 | Seattle Pacific University | Soccer | 0 | 83.39 | 1,070 – 1,310 | 26155 | 51496 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSeattle Pacific University
|
| 48 | Seattle Pacific University | Volleyball | 0 | 83.39 | 1,070 – 1,310 | 26155 | 51496 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceSeattle Pacific University
|
| 49 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Basketball | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 50 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Gymnastics | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 51 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Ice Hockey | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 52 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Skiing | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 53 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Track and Field (Indoor) | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 54 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Track and Field (Outdoor) | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 55 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Cross Country | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 56 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Volleyball | 0 | 59.58 | 990 – 1,200 | 13931 | 42313 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
|
| 57 | Western Washington University | Basketball | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 58 | Western Washington University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 59 | Western Washington University | Golf | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 60 | Western Washington University | Rowing | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 61 | Western Washington University | Soccer | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 62 | Western Washington University | Softball | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 63 | Western Washington University | Volleyball | 0 | 93.25 | 1,110 – 1,330 | 22096 | 45272 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceWestern Washington University
|
| 64 | Central Washington University | Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | -0.01 | 90.61 | 950 – 1,170 | 15558 | 49398 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCentral Washington University
|
| 65 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Softball | -1405.52 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 66 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Rowing | -1416.67 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 67 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Soccer | -1580.43 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
| 68 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Volleyball | -3550.43 | 91.98 | 1,010 – 1,270 | 13837 | 37382 |
2026 Most Profitable College Sports Programs per Student Athlete – Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
|
School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.
Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.