At many small colleges and universities, football plays a significant role, both on the field and on the balance sheet.
As the largest roster sport in the NAIA, football has a unique ability to influence enrollment, student retention, and institutional finances. However, recent research suggests that there’s a delicate balance to strike. Bigger football rosters may bring in more money, but they don’t always keep students around.
Roster size versus revenue
A Return on Athletics (ROA) research brief looks at four years of data to better understand how team size affects student-athlete retention, and the overall financial return football brings to a college.
Retention and Roster Size: Finding the “Sweet Spot” for Football
This research highlights the real trade-offs college leaders must consider when managing athletics. It also suggests there’s no one-size-fits-all solution: some schools with very large or small teams still manage to keep student-athletes engaged and enrolled, thanks to strong coaching, support systems, and campus culture.
Learn how ROA’s research offers a fresh perspective on the factors that impact student success and institutional sustainability. Download the research brief for a deep dive into the correlation between team sizes and revenue.
See related: University of Sant Francis: Revitalizing Athletics with Data-Driven Insights