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College athletics opens up many, many doors for athletes all over the country. The opportunity to achieve athletic glory as well as obtain a valuable degree provides a life-changing outlet for many.
The universities you will see on this list all have achieved unprecedented success in college athletics. All have sent many of their student-athletes on to highly successful and lucrative professional careers.
So, in the extremely competitive world of college athletics which programs are the best in the nation?
10. The Ohio State University
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Ohio State joins the Florida Gators as one of the few schools to complete the very rare feat of winning a men’s baseball, basketball, and football national championship. The Ohio State football program is perhaps the most successful sport at the school staking claim to eight national championships; their most recent championship occurred in 2014. The Buckeyes also have been very successful in men’s rowing and fencing.
9. Auburn University
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The Auburn Tigers athletic program has won 16 team NCAA national championships. The men’s swimming program has been the most successful claiming eight national championships, including five in a row from 2003-2007. The men’s swimming program also won 44 straight swim meets during their dynasty in the mid-2000’s. The Auburn Tigers are annually a significant player on the football field, with their most recent national championship coming in 2010.
8. University of Connecticut
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It’s no secret the UConn women’s basketball program is the most successful program in all of college athletics. The Lady Huskies have won a record 11 national championships and own two ridiculous winning streaks. The most recent winning-streak started in 2014 and ended in 2017 totaling 111 straight victories. The other winning streak occurred between 2008 and 2010 totaling 90 consecutive victories. The men’s basketball team also has a winning history, claiming four national championships.
7. University of Maryland
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The most decorated college lacrosse program resides in Maryland. Between the Terrapins men’s and women’s lax teams the school has claimed a combined 26 national championships, with the women winning seven straight at one point between 1995-2001. Maryland also stakes claim to three men’s soccer championships and one championship each for the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
6. Florida State University
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The Florida State softball team recently claimed the schools first national championship in the sport. The school as a whole has won 18 team national championships and over 100 conference titles. The Seminoles football program boasts three Heisman winning quarterbacks in Jameis Winston, Chris Weinke, and Charlie Ward to go along with three national championships.
5. University of Texas
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The University of Texas athletic program has become familiar with the Olympic medal podium. The school has produced ten gold medal winners. The schools swimming program is consistently near the top year in and year out with a total of 13 men’s swimming and diving national championships. The Texas football program is second all-time in wins and has won four national championships. The men’s baseball team has been successful as well claiming six national championships.
4. University of Oklahoma
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The University of Oklahoma has constructed one of the best athletic facilities in the country, and it is home to one of the most successful athletic programs. The Sooners have been particularly good in football and gymnastics. The Oklahoma football program has won seven national championships and has produced six Heisman trophy winners. The gymnastics program has won 15 team national championships combined between men and women, with 12 coming from the men’s program.
3. Louisiana State University
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The LSU Tigers football program currently has the most former players in the NFL. Overall the LSU athletic program has won 47 team national championships. Of those 47 championships six are attributed to the men’s baseball program, and in total the team has made 18 College World Series appearances. But, the most successful program at LSU is their women’s track team. Between indoor and outdoor women’s track and field, the school has 25 national championships.
2. University of Alabama
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Much of Alabama’s athletic success is accredited to the school’s dominance on the gridiron. The Crimson Tide have won 14 football national championships. But, don’t think football is the only thing that goes on in Tuscaloosa. The Tide won back-to-back men’s golf national championships in 2013 and 2014. Also, the women’s gymnastic’s team has won six national championships in program history.
1. University of Florida
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When it comes to sports success in college athletics, the University of Florida reigns supreme. The school’s rich history in producing elite professional athletes is quite extraordinary. The list includes the NFL’s all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, Olympians Ryan Lochte, Abby Wambach, Heather Mitts, Dara Torres, and NBA stars Bradley Beal, Joakim Noah, and Al Horford. The notable alums list could go on forever; it’s astounding the amount of athletic talent that hails from Gainesville.
The Gators are just one of four schools to have won the football national championship, men’s basketball championship, and baseball national championship. The Gators men’s basketball program won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. The school is also the only program to hold both the men’s football and basketball national championships in the same calendar year. Overall Florida has won 40 team national titles and 279 individual national championships.
