Find the colleges and universities that have the biggest impact in basketball based on the influence of their alumni in basketball. See which schools have proven histories of attracting and cultivating some of the most influential athletes today.
The best colleges and universities for basketball are exactly the schools you’d expect to see on this list—a who’s who of storied college athletics programs, legendary coaches, and Hall of Fame players. Our list of the best basketball colleges includes programs famous for winning national titles and sending superstar players to the NBA. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill boasts not just the most influential basketball program in the world, but the most influential college athletics program in any sport. Credit this title to the massive influence of Michael Jordan, whose global visibility, fame and commercial impact as an NBA player both expanded the international reach of basketball and transcended the sport itself. UNC can also credit future Hall of Fame player Vince Carter and long-time college and professional coach Larry Brown for their landmark contributions to the NBA and the game as a whole. Other programs rounding out the top 10 include March Madness perennials such as Duke, University of Kentucky, and UCLA.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
90%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/30
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
96%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
68%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
92%
Student body
46K
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
83%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/29
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
82%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
66%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
81%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/27
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
94%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/32
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
95%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1465/33
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
82%
Student body
22K
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
88%
Student body
56K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
88%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/29
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
25%
Graduation
90%
Student body
8K
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
81%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
92%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1435/32
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
84%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1326/30
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
73%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
89%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
88%
Student body
36K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/32
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1420/32
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
92%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1450/33
If basketball is your jam, we have a fun look at the Best College Basketball Mascots today.
And for even more colleges with strong athletics programs, take a look at the Most Influential Colleges in Sports Today.