Top colleges for women's track and field scholarships?

I'm a high school junior involved in track and field, and I'm exploring scholarship options for college. Which schools are known for having strong programs and good scholarship opportunities for women in track and field?

There are many colleges with strong women's track and field programs that offer scholarship opportunities. Keep in mind that, as an NCAA D1 or D2 athlete, you're eligible to receive both athletic scholarships and academic scholarships (NCAA D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, only academic scholarships). I would suggest you first assess where you might fit athletically and academically.

One of the top schools that comes to mind is University of Oregon, known as "TrackTown USA." The university has a long history of winning national titles and sending athletes to the Olympics. Furthermore, they joined the Big Ten conference starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, which has only bolstered their resources and athletic reputation.

University of Southern California (USC) also has an outstanding program with numerous national titles. They are known for providing generous scholarships to their athletes. USC maintains its competitive edge by recruiting outstanding athletes.

LSU (Louisiana State University) is also renowned for its women's track and field program. They've consistently ranked high in the NCAA women championships.

These three schools offer strong competition and training as well as possible scholarship opportunities. However, there are many schools out there that could be a good fit given your personal athletic and academic profile. Your best bet will be to focus on getting in touch with college coaches early, sending them your sports resume and some footage of you competing if possible. They'll be able to give you an idea of whether or not you might be competitive in their program.

Additionally, be sure to balance your athletic ambitions with your academic goals. Check out the academic programs at these schools to ensure they align with your career ambitions. Remember, not every athlete goes pro, and having a good education will provide a safety net for life after college.