The Best College Sports Programs of the Last Seven Decades
The best college athletic programs draw athletes and nonathletes alike to their college of choice. Sports have a big impact on college life, students and fans drawn together to cheer for their favorite team. The camaraderie that is formed by going to bowl games, winning a national championship, or even losing against the rival basketball program continues to make college athletics one of the most exciting pastimes for any sports fan.
College sports are the most watched sports in the country, drawing an even larger viewing than professional sports. Schools invest a tremendous amount of time and energy into developing their athletic department for a chance of winning national titles and becoming national champions. Athletic success for a school means more donations, which can boost a school’s reputation, causing higher in-state enrollment and lower acceptance rates.
In this article, we’ve listed the majority of collegiate and intercollegiate sports and ranked the schools that participate in them based on their number of championship wins. We’ve included NCAA sports as well as those organized by a number of lesser known collegiate sports associations including Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), American National Riding Commission (ANRC), Collegiate Starleague (CSL), USA Team Handball, and quite a few more.
Do College Sports Programs Matter When Looking For A Degree Program?
Many students take college sports programs and their rankings into account when looking for the right college and degree program for them. The best college athletic programs not only have a chance of going to the NCAA tournament or winning a national title, but also provide students and alumni with ways to connect and invest in their college community.
For online students, college athletics can create a shared sense of community that carries value, particularly if students engage with alumni networks after graduation. The opportunity college sports provide to get involved can bolster students’ chances of finishing their degree and finding a community while doing so.
For students majoring in subjects such as sports management, exercise science, or sport psychology, the best college athletic programs can be even more of a draw. The college sports program at a school could provide internship opportunities with the school’s athletic department or connections to other sports companies. The alumni network will most likely be filled with like-minded individuals who can connect students to jobs after graduation as well.
Student athletes will enjoy other benefits from being part of college athletics as well. While these benefits might vary depending on the school, student athletes tend to have higher graduate rates than the average student population, increased opportunities for scholarships, and access to athlete-focused academic advisors. Most colleges’ athletic departments do everything they can to ensure that their student athletes have every chance at success, athletically and academically.
List of Sports Included in the Ranking
Male Collegiate Sports
- American Football
- Baseball
- Men’s Basketball
- Men’s Cross Country
- Men’s Disc Golf
- Men’s Golf
- Men’s Gymnastics
- Men’s Handball
- Men’s Ice Hockey
- Men’s Judo
- Men’s Lacrosse
- Men’s Rowing
- Men’s Rugby Sevens
- Men’s Soccer (Football)
- Men’s Squash
- Men’s Swimming and Diving
- Men’s Tennis
- Men’s Indoor Track and Field
- Men’s Outdoor Track and Field
- Men’s Volleyball
- Men’s Water Polo
- Men’s Wrestling
Female Collegiate Sports
- Women’s Basketball
- Women’s Bowling
- Women’s Cross Country
- Women’s Disc Golf
- Women’s Field Hockey
- Women’s Golf
- Women’s Gymnastics
- Women’s Handball
- Women’s Ice Hockey
- Women’s Judo
- Women’s Lacrosse
- Women’s Rowing
- Women’s Rugby Sevens
- Women’s Soccer (Football)
- Softball
- Women’s Squash
- Women’s Swimming and Diving
- Artistic Swimming (Synchronized) (Traditionally female)
- Women’s Table Tennis
- Women’s Tennis
- Women’s Indoor Track and Field
- Women’s Outdoor Track and Field
- Women’s Volleyball
- Women’s Water Polo
- Women’s Wrestling
Co-ed or Combined Collegiate Sports
Most Dominant Multi-Sport Schools
Schools with the most championships wins in the most sports since 1960
The schools listed below have the highest number of championship wins in the most sports.
They are ranked by the following point system:
- Most championship wins in a sport: 3 points
- Second most championship wins in a sport: 2 points
- Third most championship wins in a sport: 1 points
- A tie in points goes to the school with the most championship wins overall.
Only schools with more than three points are ranked here.
For example, Stanford University, the most dominant school for sports since 1960, has the most wins in six sports, the second most wins in four sports, and the third most wins in two sports. Their score adds up to 28.
- Stanford University #1
Total Championship Wins: 119 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 6 2nd: 4 3rd: 2
- University of California, Los Angeles #2
Total Championship Wins: 87 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 3 2nd: 3 3rd: 2
- University of California, Berkeley #3
Total Championship Wins: 73 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 5 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- United States Military Academy #4
Total Championship Wins: 85 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 3 2nd: 2 3rd: 0
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill #5
Total Championship Wins: 43 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 3 3rd: 0
- University of Texas at Austin #6
Total Championship Wins: 41 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 2 3rd: 2
- University of Southern California #7
Total Championship Wins: 53 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 2 3rd: 1
- University of Arkansas #8
Total Championship Wins: 42 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 3 2nd: 0 3rd: 0
- Pennsylvania State University #9
Total Championship Wins: 34 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 2 3rd: 2
- Louisiana State University #10
Total Championship Wins: 31 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 1 3rd: 0
- University of Georgia #11
Total Championship Wins: 20 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 1 3rd: 0
- University of Oregon #12
Total Championship Wins: 28 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 2 3rd: 3
- University of Washington #13
Total Championship Wins: 19 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 3 3rd: 1
- Lindenwood University #14
Total Championship Wins: 9 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 2 3rd: 0
- San Jose State University #15
Total Championship Wins: 76 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 0 3rd: 0
- Harvard University #16
Total Championship Wins: 54 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 0 3rd: 0
- Princeton University #17
Total Championship Wins: 30 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 2 3rd: 2
- Texas Wesleyan University #18
Total Championship Wins: 24 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 2 2nd: 0 3rd: 0
- Ohio State University #19
Total Championship Wins: 37 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 1 3rd: 0
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln #20
Total Championship Wins: 19 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 2
- University of Kentucky #21
Total Championship Wins: 28 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater #22
Total Championship Wins: 24 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 2 3rd: 0
- University of Maryland, College Park #23
Total Championship Wins: 22 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- University of Oklahoma #24
Total Championship Wins: 18 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- Brown University #25
Total Championship Wins: 14 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- University of Texas at El Paso #26
Total Championship Wins: 14 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 2 3rd: 0
- Arizona State University #27
Total Championship Wins: 13 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 1 2nd: 0 3rd: 1
- University of Arizona #28
Total Championship Wins: 13 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 1 3rd: 2
- United States Naval Academy #29
Total Championship Wins: 9 Aggregate Wins (# of sports): 1st: 0 2nd: 2 3rd: 0
Collegiate Sports Scorecards
American Football to Women’s Cross Country
American Football
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Baseball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Men’s Basketball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Basketball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Women’s Bowling
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 2004
Cheerleading (Co-ed)
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1978
Men’s Cross Country
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Cross Country
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1981
Who was the only college football player to win the Heisman trophy twice?
Answer
While at Ohio State University, Archie Griffin won the heisman trophy in 1974 and 1975.
Men’s Disc Golf to Women’s Golf
Men’s Disc Golf
Organization: Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)
Championship wins since 2007
Women’s Disc Golf
Organization: Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)
Championship wins since 2012
Equestrian
Organization: ANRC, IHSA, NCEA, IDA
Championship wins since 1978
Esports
Organization: Collegiate Starleague (CSL)
Championship wins since 2009
Fencing (Co-ed)
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1990
Women’s Field Hockey
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1981
Men’s Golf
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Golf
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
With what speed did University of North Texas alum, Kyle Berkshire, set the World Outdoor Golf Ball Speed Record?
Answer
In 2022, Berkshire broke the record with a speed of 232.6 mph!
Men’s Gymnastics to Women’s Judo
Men’s Gymnastics
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Gymnastics
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Men’s Handball
Organization: USA Team Handball
Championship wins since 1996
Women’s Handball
Organization: USA Team Handball
Championship wins since 1996
Men’s Ice Hockey
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Ice Hockey
Organization: NCAA Emerging Sport
Championship wins since 2001
Men’s Judo
Organization: National Collegiate Judo Association
Championship wins since 1962
Women’s Judo
Organization: National Collegiate Judo Association
Championship wins since 1978
What is another name for the Final Four in NCAA D1 Hockey?
Answer
The Final Four is also called the Frozen Four.
Men’s Lacrosse to Men’s Rugby Sevens
Men’s Lacrosse
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1971
Women’s Lacrosse
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Orienteering
Organization: US Orienteering Federation
Championship wins since 1973
Quadball (Quidditch)
Organization: US Quidditch
Championship wins since 2007
Rifle (Co-ed)
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1980
Men’s Rowing
Organization: Intercollegiate Rowing Associaiton (IRA)
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Rowing
Organization: NCAA Emerging Sport
Championship wins since 1997
Men’s Rugby Sevens
Organization: Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC)
Championship wins since 2010
What was the first intercollegiate athletic event?
Answer
In 1852, Harvard University triumphed over Yale University in a rowing regatta, making it the longest running collegiate competition.
Women’s Rugby Sevens to Men’s Swimming and Diving
Women’s Rugby Sevens
Organization: Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC)
Championship wins since 2010
Sailing (Coed Dinghy)
Organization: Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA)
Championship wins since 1960
Men’s Soccer (Football)
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Soccer (Football)
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Softball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Men’s Squash
Organization: College Squash Association (CSA)
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Squash
Organization: College Squash Association (CSA)
Championship wins since 1973
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Which sport originated on Thanksgiving day after a Harvard University vs. Yale University football game?
Answer
In 1887, after the football game ended, a Yale alum pitched a boxing glove at a Harvard fan. In a quick reaction, the Harvard supporter hit it with a stick. A reporter then said “Play Ball”, so two teams formed. With a nearby broom handle and the rolled up boxing glove, they played until a final score of 41-40.
Women’s Swimming and Diving to Men’s Indoor Track and Field
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Artistic Swimming (Synchronized) (Traditionally female)
Organization: USA Artistic Swimming
Championship wins since 1970
Table Tennis (Coed)
Organization: National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA)
Championship wins since 1993
Women’s Table Tennis
Organization: National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA)
Championship wins since 2005
Taekwondo (All)
Organization: National Collegiate Taekwondo Association
Championship wins since 1976
Men’s Tennis
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Tennis
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Men’s Indoor Track and Field
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1965
How many track and field world records did Henry Rono break in one year while attending college?
Answer
Rono broke four world records in the span of 81 days while attending Washington State University in 1978! He broke the record in the 10,000 meters (27:22.5), the 5000 meters (13:08.4), the 3000 meters steeplechase (8:05.4), and the 3000 meters (7:32.1).
Women’s Indoor Track and Field to Women’s Water Polo
Women’s Indoor Track and Field
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1983
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1960
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1982
Triathlon (Combined)
Organization: USA Triathlon
Championship wins since 1994
Ultimate Frisbee
Organization: USA Ultimate
Championship wins since 1987
Men’s Volleyball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1970
Women’s Volleyball
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1981
Men’s Water Polo
Organization: NCAA
Championship wins since 1969
Women’s Water Polo
Organization: NCAA Emerging Sport
Championship wins since 2001
What college hosted the first official volleyball game?
Answer
In 1896, the first official game was played at Springfield College, the alma mater of the volleyball inventor, William G. Morgan. He used handball, tennis, and badminton as inspiration for the sport, giving it the original name “Mintonette.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which colleges have the best college athletic programs?
The search for the best college athletic programs can be a biased and imprecise since there are so many factors to consider - NCAA championship wins, college sports rankings, and student athletes talents and recognition, just to name a few. That said, CBS Sports is one of the most trusted sports networks. CBS Sports began presenting in 2002 and has been one of the most trusted sports networks since. Many successful spectator sports, postseason contests, and even sports of more broad interest are presented on this platform.
According to CBS Sports, Michigan has the best all around college sports rankings, followed by the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame, in second and Ohio State in third. Michigan’s football team finished the year with a 12-2 record, their men’s basketball team made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, and the women’s basketball team made it to the Elite Eight. They were also the runner up for the national title in wrestling.
What is the most popular college sport?
College football is the most popular college sport and features the highest number of student athletes. While other sports draw large crowds as well, football team fans tend to be some of the most devoted sports fans. Football programs are also the highest grossing college sport by far. In fact, in 2021 the Texas Longhorns generated over .
Following football, men’s basketball is the second most popular college sport. March Madness brings in huge crowds each year as spectators cheer on their team with the hopes of becoming the national champion.
Which college has the most sports revenue?
Although the University of Texas Longhorns are typically known for the highest sports revenue, Ohio State topped the charts in 2022 with $251,615,345 in total revenue. Following OSU are the University of Texas Longhorns in second and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in third.
In terms of conference spending, out of the top ten schools with the highest total revenue, the SEC currently has five of the top spenders, the Big 10 has three, and the Big 12 has two. The two teams from the Big 12 will soon be joining the SEC, causing the SEC to have seven out of the top ten highest earners this next season.
What is the best athletic program in the Ivy League?
Princeton University has won 15 NCAA championships and the most Ivy League titles. However, this is based on wins since the school’s founding. Since 1960, Stanford University has had the most national championship wins out of all schools, Ivy League or not.
What sport has the highest GPA?
According to NCAA Research, the average GPA for student athletes entering into Division One college sports was 3.3 for men and 3.6 for women. Sports with the highest GPA’s included fencing, gymnastics, and cross country for both men and women. Sports with the lowest GPA’s were football and basketball for men, and basketball and bowling for women.
Which teams have won the most national championships?
Since 1960, Alabama leads the way with 13 national championship wins in the history of their football program. However, Yale has the most overall wins with 18 national championship wins since 1874. For basketball, UCLA has 11, followed by Kentucky with eight national championships.
What is the Learfield Directors Cup?
The Learfield Directors Cup, also known as the Director’s Cup is sponsored by the NCAA and the NAIA. This award is given by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and recognizes sports programs based on championship wins and how the team did in the final AP.
How do college sports rankings help colleges?
Whenever a college sports team has a successful year, the school receives a significant increase in applications the following year. When this happens, schools are able to have stricter admission requirements, causing the quality and diversity of admitted students to improve.
Better sports teams, specifically a school’s football program, bring in more sponsors and donors, allowing the school to continue to improve their programs. In-state enrollment also tends to increase as potential students become excited about schools in their region.
What does CBS Sports stream?
CBS Sports covers college football and basketball. While other college sports are not typically covered, CBS does provide coverage of NBA and NFL games, PGA Tour golf, the Masters Tournament, and the UEFA Champions League.
