Ranked by results · 2021 to 2025
The best D1 soccer schools, by results
By average final national ranking from 2021 to 2025, the D1 programs with the best results are Florida State, Notre Dame, Stanford (women's); Georgetown, Duke, Hofstra (men's). This page ranks 50 of the 553 programs that were ranked in at least 4 of those seasons, and sets each school’s graduation rate beside its results.
- Programs ranked
- 553
- Seasons
- 2021–25
- Listed here
- 50
The best D1 soccer schools, by results: 50 programs ranked here, read Oct 6, 2026.
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How is “best” measured here?
One way only: results on the field. For each program we average its final national ranking across the seasons from 2021 to 2025. The ranking is the NCAA’s final RPI (Rating Percentage Index) for each season. A program is listed when it was ranked in at least 4 of those seasons, so one good year does not put a team on the list.
It says nothing about coaching, facilities, playing time or whether the school suits your player. Use it to understand the level, not to pick a college.
| Level | D1, women’s and men’s |
|---|---|
| Seasons averaged | 2021 to 2025 |
| Programs with enough seasons | 553 |
| Listed on this page | 50 |
| Minimum seasons ranked | 4 |
Which D1 women's soccer programs have the best results?
The top 25 of 344, best average first. A lower average rank is better.
| # | School | Avg rank | Grad rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida State | 1.8 | 83% |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 10.2 | 97% |
| 3 | Stanford | 10.8 | 93% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 11.2 | 70% |
| 5 | UNC Chapel Hill | 11.2 | 92% |
| 6 | Penn State | 12.0 | 86% |
| 7 | UCLA | 12.8 | 93% |
| 8 | Georgetown | 14.0 | 94% |
| 9 | Duke | 14.8 | 96% |
| 10 | TCU | 20.6 | 85% |
| 11 | Xavier | 20.8 | 70% |
| 12 | BYU | 21.0 | 82% |
| 13 | Tennessee | 24.0 | 73% |
| 14 | Michigan State | 25.0 | 83% |
| 15 | Virginia | 27.0 | 95% |
| 16 | Ohio State | 27.4 | 88% |
| 17 | South Carolina | 28.6 | 78% |
| 18 | USC | 28.6 | 92% |
| 19 | Clemson | 29.8 | 88% |
| 20 | Saint Louis | 31.4 | 80% |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 35.2 | 89% |
| 22 | Georgia | 35.4 | 87% |
| 23 | LSU | 37.4 | 68% |
| 24 | Mississippi State | 37.8 | 63% |
| 25 | Rutgers | 38.8 | 85% |
Which D1 men's soccer programs have the best results?
The top 25 of 209, best average first. A lower average rank is better.
| # | School | Avg rank | Grad rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown | 8.4 | 94% |
| 2 | Duke | 12.2 | 96% |
| 3 | Hofstra | 12.2 | 67% |
| 4 | Washington | 15.0 | 84% |
| 5 | Clemson | 16.2 | 88% |
| 6 | Marshall | 16.6 | 49% |
| 7 | SMU | 18.2 | 83% |
| 8 | University of Vermont | 18.4 | 79% |
| 9 | Indiana | 18.8 | 81% |
| 10 | Virginia | 19.6 | 95% |
| 11 | Oregon State | 20.0 | 71% |
| 12 | Stanford | 20.0 | 93% |
| 13 | UNC Chapel Hill | 21.6 | 92% |
| 14 | West Virginia | 23.6 | 60% |
| 15 | Saint Louis | 24.0 | 80% |
| 16 | Pittsburgh | 25.2 | 84% |
| 17 | Akron | 26.8 | 53% |
| 18 | UCLA | 27.6 | 93% |
| 19 | Wake Forest | 27.6 | 91% |
| 20 | Notre Dame | 30.0 | 97% |
| 21 | Kentucky | 31.0 | 70% |
| 22 | Denver | 31.2 | 78% |
| 23 | Missouri State | 31.2 | 57% |
| 24 | Cornell | 32.6 | 95% |
| 25 | Portland | 32.8 | 80% |
Which of them graduate the most students?
The same programs, sorted by the school’s six-year graduation rate instead. The order changes, which is the point.
| School | Grad rate | Avg rank |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 97% | 10.2 |
| Notre Dame | 97% | 30.0 |
| Duke | 96% | 12.2 |
| Duke | 96% | 14.8 |
| Virginia | 95% | 19.6 |
| Virginia | 95% | 27.0 |
| Cornell | 95% | 32.6 |
| Georgetown | 94% | 8.4 |
| Georgetown | 94% | 14.0 |
| Stanford | 93% | 10.8 |
| UCLA | 93% | 12.8 |
| Stanford | 93% | 20.0 |
| UCLA | 93% | 27.6 |
| UNC Chapel Hill | 92% | 11.2 |
| UNC Chapel Hill | 92% | 21.6 |
How this was counted
Avg rank is the mean of the program’s final national ranking in each season it was ranked, from 2021 to 2025; Seasons is how many that was. Grad rate is the school’s six-year graduation rate for all students (IPEDS DRVGR2023 · GBA6RTT). Roster is the 2026-27 squad as the school lists it, where we could confirm the season.
Rankings change every season. This page is recalculated when the data is refreshed, and the date below is the last time.
Last checked:
Quick answers
Which D1 women's soccer programs have the best results?
By average final national ranking from 2021 to 2025: Florida State (1.8), Notre Dame (10.2), Stanford (10.8), Arkansas (11.2), UNC Chapel Hill (11.2). A lower number is better.
Which D1 men's soccer programs have the best results?
By average final national ranking from 2021 to 2025: Georgetown (8.4), Duke (12.2), Hofstra (12.2), Washington (15.0), Clemson (16.2). A lower number is better.
How is “best” decided on this page?
By results only. Each program’s final national ranking is averaged across the seasons from 2021 to 2025, and a program is listed when it was ranked in at least 4 of them. It is not a rating of coaching, facilities or academics.
Is the highest-ranked program the best choice for my player?
Not usually. A top-ranked program recruits a small number of players a year from a national and international pool. The better question is which programs your player can make the squad at and get on the field for, at a school that suits them. The graduation-rate table is here to show that the two orders differ.
Why are there no “best” lists for Division II or the NAIA?
We hold one season of Division II rankings, and those rank a team inside its region, not the country. We hold no national ranking history for the NAIA. One season is not enough to call anything a result over time, so those pages are not published.
Where to go next
Your player, your list
The best program is the one your player fits.
Results tell you the level. The free list scores which programs fit your player’s level, position, grad year and grades, at every division.
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