What are the top programs in women’s college basketball?

August 26, 2025

The Evolution of Women’s College Basketball Blue Bloods

In the realm of women’s college basketball, UConn’s program, led by Geno Auriemma, has undoubtedly established itself as a premier force. With 12 national championships over a span of 40 years, their legacy of excellence is remarkable. From 2008 to 2022, the team made it to 14 consecutive Final Fours, showcasing their prowess consistently.

Yet, it’s worth pondering other significant programs in women’s basketball. What about the likes of Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Stanford? Which other teams could be considered among the elite, the so-called Blue Bloods?

The criteria for defining a Blue Blood can seem somewhat subjective and often stirs debate. Take men’s basketball as an example. Some still view Indiana as a major contender despite their last title win being in 1987, while UConn’s men’s team, which boasts six titles since 1999, is often overlooked. It can be even trickier in college football, where Alabama and Ohio State hold Blue Blood status despite having no titles before the BCS era. And then there’s Clemson—should they be considered among the elite?

But let’s table that for another time. Our focus here is on women’s college basketball.

Criteria for Blue Blood Status in Women’s Basketball

At least one NCAA National Championship. Sorry to Duke, Iowa, North Carolina, Green Bay, and Louisville.
A spot among the top 30 programs with the highest win rates historically (the NCAA Record Book is set to update for the 2023-24 season). South Carolina barely made the cut; notable absentees are former champs like Texas Tech, Purdue, and Texas A&M.
Recent success is critical, which can be evaluated in various ways:

If a team misses five NCAA tournaments within the last 15 years (excluding 2020), they’re out of the Blue Blood discussion. That means goodbye to Multiple National Champions, Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, USC.
Not ranking in the AP Top 25 for five consecutive seasons over the last 15 years? That’s also a red flag. Unfortunately for North Carolina, LSU, and Texas, that’s the reality.
To keep the Blue Blood title, teams must reach multiple Final Fours in the last 15 years or win at least one national title in the past 20 years. Tennessee and Maryland can breathe easy—for now.

Keeping these criteria in mind, there are currently seven recognized Blue Blood programs in women’s college basketball. However, there’s a chance for some teams to fall out of that group. If the Trojans, Tar Heels, Tigers, or Longhorns clinch their second national title soon, they could regain their status. It’s a long journey, as exemplified by teams like Old Dominion and Louisiana Tech, whose dominance in the ’80s and ’90s set the bar for Blue Bloods.

This overview explores the Blue Blood clubs in women’s college basketball, presented in alphabetical order.

Program win rate: .675 (20th)
National Titles: 3 (2005, 2012, 2019)
Final Fours: 4 (2005, 2010, 2012, 2019)

Kim Mulkey revolutionized Baylor, guiding them to greatness over 21 seasons. Since moving to LSU, Nikki Koren has taken the reins, achieving a .739 win rate with a record of 102-36. The program also boasts three Wade Trophy winners in a decade: Britney Greener, Odyssey Sims, and Narissa Smith. They still contend strongly in the Big 12.

Program win rate: .708 (10th)
National Titles: 1 (2006)
Final Fours: 5 (1982, 1989, 2006, 2014, 2015)

Though Maryland hasn’t secured a national championship for a while, they’ve been notably consistent since Brenda Freese took the helm in 2002, a standard set long ago by former coach Chris Weller, who piled up ACC tournament titles years back.

Program win rate: .742 (5th)
National Titles: 2 (2001, 2018)
Final Fours: 9 (1997, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)

Notre Dame emerged as a national powerhouse in the 2000s and 2010s under Muffet McGraw. Between 1996 and 2019, they were a fixture in the NCAA Tournament, producing legendary players like Ruth Riley and Skylar Diggins. The Irish haven’t advanced past the Sweet 16 since losing to Baylor in 2019, so now it’s on Niele Ivey to uphold McGraw’s legacy.

Program win rate: .656 (30 days)
National Titles: 3 (2017, 2022, 2024)
Final Fours: 7 (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

South Carolina has arguably been the most successful program lately. With three titles and seven trips to the Final Four, the Gamecocks had a stellar record of 167-9 from 2020 to 2024, reflecting the highest win rate during that span. Under Dawn Staley, they’ve become a dominant force, producing standout players like A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston.

Program win rate: .776 (third)
National Titles: 3 (1990, 1992, 2021)
Final Fours: 15 (1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2022)

Stanford’s impressive streak of making every NCAA tournament from 1988 to 2024 recently came to an end. As they enter a new chapter in their journey within the ACC, the questions linger: can they maintain their Blue Blood status and compete on the highest levels? It’s a pivotal moment for the Cardinal.

Program win rate: .793 (second)
National Titles: 8 (1987, 1989, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2008)
Final Fours: 18 (1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)

Tennessee’s history boasts eight national championships and 18 Final Fours, but the program has faced challenges since the retirement of Pat Summitt. Recent seasons have seen rising competition from teams like South Carolina and LSU in a tough SEC landscape. However, recent success under freshman Kim Caldwell, including key victories, showcased a potential resurgence for the Lady Vols.

Program win rate: .801 (1st)

National Titles: 12 (1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2025)

Final Fours: 24 (1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)

At one point, it seemed people were ready to write off UConn. Despite Breanna Stewart’s absence of titles over eight years amid increasing competitive balance in the sport, the Huskies have bounced back impressively. Thanks to talents like Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, they recently celebrated their 12th title. Geno Auriemma, now 71, shows no signs of winding down as he continues to lead the huskies in this new era of competition.