What's the best sport for landing a college scholarship?

I'm pretty athletic and considering a few different sports for college. Anyone know which sport typically has the best chance of earning a scholarship?

Taking into account the number of scholarships available and the number of athletes who participate in a particular sport, statistical evidence suggests that crew (rowing), fencing, and rifle tend to have higher scholarship odds for women. For men, the sports with higher scholarship odds include gymnastics, lacrosse, and rifle. It's worth noting that these aren't necessarily the most popular sports and they may not be available at all colleges.

That being said, participating in a sport primarily for the purpose of obtaining a scholarship may not be the best strategy. First, athletic scholarships are highly competitive. A smaller number of athletes win full scholarships; most are partial. Also, excelling in a sport usually requires passion and dedication beyond just physical ability.

Moreover, the demands and responsibilities of college athletes are significant and can have major impacts on your academics and social life. It’s also important to consider the potential for injury, which may jeopardize your athletic scholarship.

In the end, it’s usually a better idea to focus on the sport you enjoy the most, where you can demonstrate leadership, commitment, and skill. The skills and character traits you gain through sports participation, such as communication, problem-solving, and resilience, can enhance your overall college application - with or without a scholarship. An added bonus is that colleges often look favorably upon student-athletes, recognizing the dedication and time management skills required to balance sports with academic responsibilities.