The Most Influential Colleges in Soccer Today

The Most Influential Colleges in Soccer Today

Find the colleges and universities that have the biggest impact in soccer based on the influence of their alumni in soccer. See which schools have proven histories of attracting and cultivating some of the most influential athletes today.

The best colleges and universities for soccer are represented by a diverse list of both players and coaches in men’s and women’s soccer. In fact, a number of college athletics programs are included on our list for producing top soccer club managers, as opposed to players. For instance, at the top of the list is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, owing largely to the influence of UNC Women’s Soccer coach Anson Dorrance. With 21 championships, Dorannce is the most successful NCAA women’s soccer coach of all time. UNC’s program can also boast alumni like Olympic Gold Medalist Mia Hamm. Another fascinating and noteworthy inclusion on this list, the Nassau Community College in Garden City New York, is the rare public two-year school to appear on a list of top athletics programs. Most college sports rankings are dominated by major athletics programs at four-year colleges. Nassau actually ranks #5 on our list thanks to the distinguished coaching career of alumnus Bruce Arena.

Most Influential Colleges in Soccer

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The Most Influential Colleges in Soccer Today

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/30

    University of North Carolina’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Anson Dorrance
    2. Mia Hamm
    3. Eric Lichaj
    4. Chris Leitch
    5. Gregg Berhalter
    6. Logan Pause
    7. Eddie Pope
    8. Zach Loyd
    9. Mikey Lopez
    10. Tobin Heath
    11. Amber Brooks
    12. Ashlyn Harris
    13. Danielle Egan
    14. Sheanon Williams
    15. Indi Cowie
    16. Carey Talley
    17. Cindy Parlow Cone
    18. Chris Carrieri
    19. Michael Farfan
    20. Tisha Venturini
    21. Jessica McDonald
    22. Brian Shriver
    23. Tracey Leone
    24. Danny Garcia
    25. Allie Long
    26. Cat Whitehill
    27. Kirk Urso
    28. Sarina Wiegman
    29. Corey Ashe
    30. Temoc Suarez
    More Influential Soccer Players
    1. Lorrie Fair
    2. Marcus Storey
    3. Kacey White
    4. Sebastian Berhalter
    5. Lori Chalupny
    6. Carla Overbeck
    7. Tyler Deric
    8. Jamie Watson
    9. Scott Goodwin
    10. Shannon Higgins-Cirovski
    11. Marcia McDermott
    12. Chad Ashton
    13. Merritt Mathias
    14. Marco Ferruzzi
    15. Susan Bush
    16. Cameron Lindley
    17. Wendy Gebauer
    18. Meredith Beard
    19. Robin Confer
    20. Jenni Branam
    21. Lauren Gregg
    22. Jordan Gafa
    23. Jalen Markey
    24. Suzy Cobb Germain
    25. Courtney Jones
    26. Colton Storm
    27. Laurie Schwoy
    28. Jordan McCrary
    29. Debbie Keller
    30. Tim Sahaydak
    31. Michael Callahan
    32. Maggie Tomecka
    33. Omar Holness
    34. Alessia Russo
    35. Blake Malone
    36. Julia Ashley
    37. Leslie Gaston
    38. Tracy Ducar
    39. Tiffany Roberts
    40. Lotte Wubben-Moy
    41. Staci Wilson
    42. Tim Merritt
    43. Siri Mullinix
    44. Katie Bowen
    45. Boyd Okwuonu
    46. Nikki Washington
    47. Eli Garner
    48. Emily Pickering
    49. Brooke Elby
    50. Tony Johnson
    51. Emily Fox
    52. Alex Comsia
    53. Adelaide Gay
    54. Summer Green
    55. Zach Wright
    56. Alan Winn
    57. Joan Dunlap-Seivold
    58. Jack Skahan
    59. Linda Hamilton
    60. Meg Morris
    61. Danielle Borgman
    62. Anton Sealey
    63. Lori Henry
    64. Mauricio Pineda
    65. Tucker Hume
    66. Todd Haskins
    67. Walker Hume
    68. Bryane Heaberlin
    69. Satara Murray
    70. Nico Rittmeyer
    71. Andy Craven
    72. Raby George
    73. Zola Springer
    74. Lindsay Stoecker
    75. Danny Jackson
    76. Joanna Fennema
    77. Jeremy Kelly
    78. Jena Kluegel
    79. Alexa Newfield
    80. Birthe Hegstad
    81. Dorian Bailey
    82. Jessie Scarpa
    83. Key White
    84. Stacey Enos
    85. Amy Steadman
    86. Garry Lewis
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    46K

    UCLA’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Matt Reis
    2. Brad Friedel
    3. Cobi Jones
    4. Afshin Ghotbi
    5. Kevin Hartman
    6. Carlos Bocanegra
    7. Nick Rimando
    8. Amobi Okugo
    9. Jordan Harvey
    10. McCall Zerboni
    11. Sal Zizzo
    12. Kelyn Rowe
    13. Tony Beltran
    14. Chance Myers
    15. Benny Feilhaber
    16. Jackson Yueill
    17. Alex Yi
    18. Brian Rowe
    19. Michael Stephens
    20. Jill Oakes
    21. David Estrada
    22. Frankie Hejduk
    23. Kyle Nakazawa
    24. Danesha Adams
    25. Brian Perk
    26. Kiel McClung
    27. Peter Vagenas
    28. Nick Theslof
    29. Brad Rusin
    30. Ryan Hollingshead
    31. Kara Lang
    32. Frankie Amaya
    33. Andy Rose
    34. Eder Arreola
    35. Eddie Lewis
    36. Kennedy Faulknor
    37. Scot Thompson
    38. Tim Harris
    39. Adolfo Gregorio
    40. Abu Danladi
    More Influential Soccer Players
    1. Brian Iloski
    2. Mallory Pugh
    3. Adam Frye
    4. Abby Dahlkemper
    5. Patrick Ianni
    6. Chase Gasper
    7. Sam George
    8. Sasha Victorine
    9. McKinley Tennyson
    10. Josh Keller
    11. Reggie Cannon
    12. Marvell Wynne
    13. David Vanole
    14. Sean Henderson
    15. Mike Lapper
    16. Sam Mewis
    17. Jessie Fleming
    18. Chelsea Stewart
    19. Ole Mikkelsen
    20. Erik Holt
    21. José Hernández
    22. Rosie White
    23. Ryan Futagaki
    24. Tom Poltl
    25. Seyi Adekoya
    26. D. J. Countess
    27. Chris Snitko
    28. Billy Thompson
    29. Maxwell Griffin
    30. Zakiya Bywaters
    31. Lucas Martin
    32. Eric Biefeld
    33. Seth George
    34. Javan Torre
    35. Tahj Jakins
    36. Jerry Robinson
    37. Matt Hundley
    38. Harry Fain
    39. Iris Mora
    40. Milan Iloski
    41. Kevin Smith
    42. Joe Sofia
    43. Hailie Mace
    44. Darian Jenkins
    45. Ashley Sanchez
    46. Eric Reed
    47. Leo Stolz
    48. Bobby Smith
    49. Zak Ibsen
    50. Shaun Tsakiris
    51. Dakota Collins
    52. Kelsey Davis
    53. Justin Garces
    54. Matt Taylor
    55. Earl Edwards Jr.
    56. Sarah Woldmoe
    57. Tina DiMartino
    58. Pieter Lehrer
    59. Paul Ratcliffe
    60. Matt Wiet
    61. Teagan Micah
    62. Kristina Larsen
    63. Mary-Frances Monroe
    64. Michael Amick
    65. Ty Maurin
    66. Chanté Sandiford
    67. Jenna Richmond
    68. Konstantinos Michaelides
    69. Aaron López
    70. Dale Ervine
    71. Jeff Hooker
    72. Venus James
    73. Kaiya McCullough
    74. Lauren Kaskie
    75. Kevin Coye
    76. Frank Marshall
  3. #3

    University of Portland

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/26

  4. #4

    University of Virginia

    Charlottesville , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    21%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

  5. #5

    Nassau Community College

    Garden City , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    10K

    Nassua Community College’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Bruce Arena
    2. Billy Phillips
    3. Shep Messing
    4. Julian Gómez
    5. Errol McFarlane
  6. #7

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

  8. #9

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    52%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    36K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1375/32

  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/27

  11. #13

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    15%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/33

  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Florida International University’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Steve Ralston
    2. Jeff Cassar
    3. Bobby Boswell
    4. Robin Fraser
    5. Tyrone Marshall
    6. Dale Schilly
    7. David Winner
    8. Ifeoma Dieke
    9. Landy Mattison
    10. Ronil Dufrene
    11. Gary DePalma
    12. Danny Vasquez
    13. Munga Eketebi
    14. Michele O'Brien
    15. Alvin James
    16. Chris Veselka
    17. Levi Coleman
    18. John Pulido
    19. Andrew Booth
    20. Sean McFarlane
    21. Gonzalo Frechilla
    22. Ignace Moleka
    23. José Carlos Fernández
    24. Darren Ríos
    25. Phillip Lamarre
    26. Steven Cabas
    27. Troy Edwards
    28. Eric Reyes
    29. Al Njie
    30. Sebastien Vorbe
    More Influential Soccer Players
    1. Santiago Patiño
    2. Nick O'Callaghan
    3. Kaitlyn Savage
    4. Raoul Voss
    5. Jahbari Willis
    6. Ashleigh Shim
    7. Josue España
    8. Luis Betancur
    9. Deshawon Nembhard
    10. Daniel Gagliardi
    11. Joris Ahlinvi
    12. Curtis Leeper
    13. Kedie Johnson
    14. Asha James

    Florida International University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Theatre
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Theatre
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Beverage Management
    • Culinary Management
    • Event Management
    • Hotel/Lodging Management
    • Restaurant/Food Service Management
    • Travel And Tourism Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Logistics And Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Relations Advertising And Applied Communications
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Real Estate
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Recreation And Sport Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Parks Management
    • Recreation And Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Internet Of Things
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Crime Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Education Bs
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Asian Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in International Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies Ba
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Welfare
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Women's And Gender Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BHSA in Health Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Electrical Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Statistics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1326/30

  14. #17

    Saint Louis University

    Saint Louis , MO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1265/28

    Saint Louis University’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Brian McBride
    2. Jack Jewsbury
    3. Vedad Ibišević
    4. Rory Dames
    5. Brad Davis
    6. Tim Ream
    7. Pat McBride
    8. Raymond Lee
    9. Tim Ward
    10. Meghann Burke
    11. Mark Santel
    12. Mike Sorber
    13. Dipsy Selolwane
    14. Joe Clarke
    15. Alyssa Mautz
    16. John DiRaimondo
    17. Martin Hutton
    18. Don Droege
    19. Bruce Hudson
    20. Al Trost
    21. Kevin Kalish
    22. Matt McKeon
    23. Dan Flynn
    24. Kingsley Bryce
    25. Calum Angus
    26. Brett Branan
    27. Jeff DiMaria
    28. Danny Wynn
    29. John Hayes
    30. Don Huber
    More Influential Soccer Players
    1. Steve Frank
    2. Mark Frederickson
    3. Mark Pais
    4. Jacob Thomas
    5. Gene Geimer
    6. Chad Vandegriffe
    7. Dan Counce
    8. Anthony Manning
    9. Chris Kenny
    10. Mike Shanahan
    11. Jim Bokern
    12. Kyle Patterson
    13. Mark Demling
    14. Don Doran
    15. Tyler David
    16. David Brcic
    17. Terry Brown
    18. Bruce Rudroff
    19. Bob Matteson
    20. Tom Hayes
    21. Gary Rensing
    22. Vince Cicciarelli
    23. Denny Hadican
    24. Patrick Wilkinson
    25. Tim Logush
    26. Mike Seerey
    27. Joe Hamm
    28. John Pisani
    29. Jim Leeker
    30. Steve Fuchs
    31. John Roeslein
    32. Jim Tietjens
    33. Larry Hulcer
    34. Saadiq Abdikadir Mohamed
    35. Jair Minors
    36. Brad Wilson
    37. Kevin Handlan
    38. Robert Kristo

    Saint Louis University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Computer Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Leadership and Organizational Behavior
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Leadership and Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #18

    University of Akron

    Akron , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/22

    University of Akron’s Most Influential Soccer Players

    1. Anthony Ampaipitakwong
    2. Teal Bunbury
    3. Ben Zemanski
    4. Blair Gavin
    5. Dillon Serna
    6. Saad Abdul-Salaam
    7. Richie Laryea
    8. Darren Mattocks
    9. Kofi Sarkodie
    10. Steve Zakuani
    11. John Bluem
    12. Scott Caldwell
    13. Jonathan Lewis
    14. Devon McKenney
    15. Wil Trapp
    16. Marcel Zajac
    17. George Nanchoff
    18. Adam Najem
    19. Louis Nanchoff
    20. Eric Stevenson
    21. David Meves
    22. Allen Eller
    23. Cameron Knowles
    24. Roderick Scott
    25. Shaun Pendleton
    26. Nate Shultz
    27. Mike Apple
    28. Conrad Earnest
    29. Benny Dargle
    30. Chad Barson
    More Influential Soccer Players
    1. João Moutinho
    2. Justin Sadler
    3. Ben Lundt
    4. Robbie Derschang
    5. Niko de Vera
    6. Jake Fenlason
    7. Danilo Radjen
    8. Nick Hinds
    9. Robby Dambrot
    10. Jesús Pérez
    11. Akeil Barrett
    12. Federico Serra
    13. Morgan Hackworth
    14. Sydney Blomquist
    15. Zac Portillos
    16. Victor Souto
    17. Christian Lue Young
    18. Abdi Mohamed
    19. Kyle Culbertson
    20. Shane Wiedt
    21. Tyler Bennett
    22. Bradley Ruhaak
    23. Lee Jones
    24. Luke Holmes

    University of Akron’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Supervision
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management And Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    6K

  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    56%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/29

  18. #25

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

And for even more colleges with strong athletics programs, take a look at the Most Influential Colleges in Sports Today.