A comprehensive list of collegiate women’s basketball champions by year and governing body.
NCAA Champions
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship has been the official national championship for women’s college basketball since 1981-82. The NCAA began sponsoring a national championship for women’s basketball and 11 other women’s sports in 1981-82. It marked the first time that the NCAA sponsored championship events in women’s sports. When it began in 1982, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament featured 32 teams. It was comprised of 36 teams in 1983, 32 teams in 1984 and 1985, and 40 teams from 1986-88. In 1989, the field expanded to 48 teams and remained that way through the 1993 event. From 1994-2021, the tournament field was 64 teams before growing to 68 in 2022.
Division I
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2026
UCLA
South Carolina
Phoenix, AZ
2025
UConn
South Carolina
Tampa, FL
2024
South Carolina
Iowa
Cleveland, OH
2023
Louisiana State
Iowa
Dallas, TX
2022
South Carolina
UConn
Minneapolis, MN
2021
Stanford
Arizona
San Antonio, TX
2020
Canceled – COVID 19
2019
Baylor
Notre Dame
Tampa, FL
2018
Notre Dame
Mississippi State
Columbus, OH
2017
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Dallas, TX
2016
UConn
Syracuse
Indianapolis, IN
2015
UConn
Notre Dame
Tampa, FL
2014
UConn
Notre Dame
Nashville, TN
2013
UConn
Louisville
New Orleans, LA
2012
Baylor
Notre Dame
Denver, CO
2011
Texas A&M
Notre Dame
Indianapolis, IN
2010
UConn
Stanford
San Antonio, TX
2009
UConn
Louisville
St. Louis, MO
2008
Tennessee
Stanford
Tampa, FL
2007
Tennessee
Rutgers
Cleveland, OH
2006
Maryland
Duke
Boston, MA
2005
Baylor
Michigan State
Indianapolis, IN
2004
UConn
Tennessee
New Orleans, LA
2003
UConn
Tennessee
Atlanta, GA
2002
UConn
Oklahoma
San Antonio, TX
2001
Notre Dame
Purdue
St. Louis, MO
2000
UConn
Tennessee
Philadelphia, PA
1999
Purdue
Duke
San Jose, CA
1998
Tennessee
Louisiana Tech
Kansas City, MO
1997
Tennessee
Old Dominion
Cincinnati, OH
1996
Tennessee
Georgia
Charlotte, NC
1995
UConn
Tennessee
Minneapolis, MN
1994
North Carolina
Louisiana Tech
Richmond, VA
1993
Texas Tech
Ohio State
Atlanta, GA
1992
Stanford
Western Kentucky
Los Angeles, CA
1991
Tennessee
Virginia
New Orleans, LA
1990
Stanford
Auburn
Knoxville, TN
1989
Tennessee
Auburn
Tacoma, WA
1988
Louisiana Tech
Auburn
Tacoma, WA
1987
Tennessee
Louisiana Tech
Austin, TX
1986
Texas
USC
Lexington, KY
1985
Old Dominion
Georgia
Austin, TX
1984
USC
Tennessee
Los Angeles, CA
1983
USC
Louisiana Tech
Norfolk, VA
1982
Louisiana Tech
Cheyney State
Norfolk, VA
Division II
YEAR
WINNER
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2026
Grand Valley State
Indiana (PA)
Pittsburgh, PA
2025
Grand Valley State
Cal State Dominguez Hills
Pittsburgh, PA
2024
Minnesota State
Texas Women’s University
St. Joseph, MO
2023
Ashland
Minnesota-Duluth
Dallas, TX
2022
Glenville State
Western Washington
Birmingham, AL
2021
Lubbock Christian
Drury
Columbus, OH
2020
Canceled – COVID 19
2019
Lubbock Christian
Southwestern Oklahoma
Columbus, OH
2018
Central Missouri
Ashland
Sioux Falls, SD
2017
Ashland
Virginia Union
Columbus, OH
2016
Lubbock Christian
Alaska Anchorage
Indianapolis, IN
2015
California (PA)
California Baptist
Sioux Falls, SD
2014
Bentley
West Texas A&M
Erie, PA
2013
Ashland
Dowling
San Antonio, TX
2012
Shaw
Ashland
San Antonio, TX
2011
Clayton State
Michigan Tech
St. Joseph, MO
2010
Emporia State
Fort Lewis
St. Joseph, MO
2009
Minnesota State
Franklin Pierce
San Antonio, TX
2008
Northern Kentucky
South Dakota
Kearney, NE
2007
Southern Connecticut St.
Florida Gulf Coast
Kearney, NE
2006
Grand Valley State
American International
Hot Springs, AR
2005
Washburn
Seattle Pacific
Hot Springs, AR
2004
California (PA)
Drury
St. Joseph, MO
2003
South Dakota State
Northern Kentucky
St. Joseph, MO
2002
Cal Poly Pomona
Southeastern Oklahoma
Rochester, MN
2001
Cal Poly Pomona
North Dakota
Rochester, MN
2000
Northern Kentucky
North Dakota State
Pine Bluff, AR
1999
North Dakota
Arkansas Tech
Pine Bluff, AR
1998
North Dakota
Emporia State
Pine Bluff, AR
1997
North Dakota
Southern Indiana
Grand Forks, ND
1996
North Dakota State
Shippensburg
Fargo, ND
1995
North Dakota State
Portland State
Fargo, ND
1994
North Dakota State
Cal State San Bernadino
Fargo, ND
1993
North Dakota State
Delta State
Waltham, MA
1992
Delta State
North Dakota State
Fargo, ND
1991
North Dakota State
Southeast Missouri State
Cape Girardeau, MO
1990
Delta State
Bentley
Pomona, CA
1989
Delta State
Cal Poly Pomona
Cleveland, MS
1988
Hampton
West Texas State
Fargo, ND
1987
New Haven
Cal Poly Pomona
Springfield, MA
1986
Cal Poly Pomona
North Dakota State
Springfield, MA
1985
Cal Poly Pomona
Central Missouri State
Springfield, MA
1984
Central Missouri State
Virginia Union
Springfield, MA
1983
Virginia Union
Cal Poly Pomona
Springfield, MA
1982
Cal Poly Pomona
Tuskegee
Springfield, MA
Division III
YEAR
WINNER
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2026
Denison
Scranton
Salem, VA
2025
NYU
Smith
Salem, VA
2024
NYU
Smith
Columbus, OH
2023
Transylvania
Christopher Newport
Dallas, TX
2022
Hope
UW-Whitewater
Pittsburgh, PA
2021
Canceled – COVID 19
2020
Canceled – COVID 19
2019
Thomas More
Bowdoin
Salem, VA
2018
Amherst
Bowdoin
Rochester, MN
2017
Amherst
Tufts
Grand Rapids, MI
2016
Thomas More
Tufts
Indianapolis, IN
2015
Thomas More
George Fox
Grand Rapids, MI
2014
FDU-Florham
Whitman
Stevens Point, WI
2013
DePauw
UW-Whitewater
Holland, MI
2012
Illinois Wesleyan
George Fox
Holland, MI
2011
Amherst
Washington St. Louis
Bloomington, IL
2010
Washington St. Louis
Hope
Bloomington, IL
2009
George Fox
Washington St. Louis
Holland, MI
2008
Howard Payne
Messiah
Holland, MI
2007
DePauw
Washington St. Louis
Springfield, MA
2006
Hope
Southern Maine
Springfield, MA
2005
Millikin
Randolph-Macon
Virginia Beach, VA
2004
Wilmington (OH)
Bowdoin
Virginia Beach, VA
2003
Trinity (TX)
Eastern Connecticut State
Terre Haute, IN
2002
UW-Stevens Point
St. Lawrence
Terre Haute, IN
2001
Washington St. Louis
Messiah
Danbury, CT
2000
Washington St. Louis
Southern Maine
Danbury, CT
1999
Washington St. Louis
St. Benedict
Danbury, CT
1998
Washington St. Louis
Southern Maine
Gorham, ME
1997
NYU
UW-Eau Claire
New York, NY
1996
UW-Oshkosh
Mount Union
Oshkosh, WI
1995
Capital
UW-Oshkosh
Columbus, OH
1994
Capital
Washington St. Louis
Eau Claire, WI
1993
Central (IA)
Capital
Pella, IA
1992
Alma
Moravian
Bethlehem, PA
1991
St. Thomas (MN)
Muskingum
St. Paul, MN
1990
Hope
St. John Fisher
Holland, MI
1989
Elizabethtown
Cal State Stanislaus
Danville, KY
1988
Concordia-Moorhead
St. John Fisher
Moorhead, MN
1987
UW-Stevens Point
Concordia-Moorhead
Scranton, PA
1986
Salem State
Bishop (TX)
Salem, MA
1985
Scranton
New Rochelle
De Pere, WI
1984
Rust
Elizabethtown
Scranton, PA
1983
North Central (IL)
Elizabethtown
Worcester, MA
1982
Elizabethtown
UNC Greensboro
Elizabethtown, PA
AIAW Champions
The Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was founded in 1971 to govern women’s athletics and administer national championship events. It began in 1967 as the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. The AIAW Tournament for women’s basketball was contested each year from 1972-1982. It is recognized as the official women’s basketball national championship event from 1972-1981. There was one year of overlap with the NCAA Championship in 1982, after which time the NCAA took over sole governance of women’s collegiate athletics. As part of the AIAW Tournament, 16 teams were invited to the national tournament following 10 regional tournaments. Ten of the participants were winners of regional tournaments, while six were at-large selections. Beginning in 1975, the event was divided by divisions and held tournaments for Division I, Division II and Division III.
Division I
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
1982
Rutgers
Texas
Philadelphia, PA
1981
Louisiana Tech
Tennessee
Eugene, OR
1980
Old Dominion
Tennessee
Mt. Pleasant, MI
1979
Old Dominion
Louisiana Tech
Greensboro, NC
1978
UCLA
Maryland
Los Angeles, CA
1977
Delta State
Louisiana State
Minneapolis, MN
1976
Delta State
Immaculata
University Park, PA
1975
Delta State
Immaculata
Harrisonburg, VA
1974
Immaculata
Mississippi College
Manhattan, KS
1973
Immaculata
Queens
Flushing, NY
1972
Immaculata
West Chester State
Normal, IL
Small College / Division II
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNER-UP
LOCATION
1982
Francis Marion
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
1981
William Penn
College of Charleston
Dayton, OH
1980
Dayton
College of Charleston
Dayton, OH
1979
South Carolina State
Dayton
Fargo, ND
1978
High Point
South Carolina State
Florence, SC
1977
Southeastern Louisiana
Phillips
Pomona, CA
1976
Berry (GA)
West Georgia
Ashland, OH
1975
Phillips
Talladega
Pueblo, CO
Division III
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNER-UP
LOCATION
1982
Concordia-Moorhead
Mount Mercy
Cedar Rapids, IA
1981
Wisconsin-La Crosse
Mount Mercy
Dayton, OH
1980
Worchester State
Wisconsin-La Crosse
Spokane, WA
CIAW Champions
The CIAW Tournament, as part of the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, served as the national championship event for women’s basketball from 1969-71.
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
1971
Mississippi State College for Women
West Chester
Cullowhee, NC
1970
Cal State-Fullerton
West Chester
Boston, MA
1969
West Chester
Western Carolina
West Chester, PA
National Women’s Invitational Tournament
The National Women’s Invitational Tournament was contested from 1969 to 1996. Like its counterpart from the men’s side, the National Invitation Tournament, in the early days, the NWIT served as an alternative national championship for women’s basketball. From 1969-77, the NWIT Champions were considered national champions. From 1969-74, the event also included junior colleges. The eight-team tournament was originally held at the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. Beginning in the late 1970s, the NWIT became a secondary tournament, as did the NIT on the men’s side. The NWIT folded in 1996 but returned in 1998 as the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, managed by Triple Crown Sports.
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
1977
Wayland Baptist
UCLA
Amarillo, TX
1976
Wayland Baptist
UCLA
Amarillo, TX
1975
Wayland Baptist
UCLA
Amarillo, TX
1974
Wayland Baptist
John F. Kennedy College
Amarillo, TX
1973
Wayland Baptist
John F. Kennedy College
Amarillo, TX
1972
Wayland Baptist
John F. Kennedy College
Amarillo, TX
1971
Wayland Baptist
Parsons
Amarillo, TX
1970
Wayland Baptist
Midwestern State
Amarillo, TX
1969
Wayland Baptist
Ouachita Baptist
Amarillo, TX
NAIA Champions
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics held its first men’s tournament in 1937 and it is now the longest-running event in college basketball. The NAIA added nine women’s championships in 1980, including a single-division basketball championship. They utilized that model through 1992, then split the field into Division I and Division II. In 2021, they returned to the original single-division format.
Single-Division (1981-91; 2021-Present)
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2026
Marian (IN)
Dordt
Sioux City, IA
2025
Dordt
Indiana Wesleyan
Sioux City, IA
2024
Dordt
Providence (MT)
Sioux City, IA
2023
Clarke
Thomas More
Sioux City, IA
2022
Thomas More
Dordt
Sioux City, IA
2021
Westmont
Thomas More
Sioux City, IA
1991
Fort Hays State
SW Oklahoma State
Jackson, TN
1990
SW Oklahoma State
Arkansas-Monticello
Jackson, TN
1989
Southern Nazarene
Claflin
Kansas City, MO
1988
Oklahoma City
Claflin
Kansas City, MO
1987
SW Oklahoma State
North Georgia
Kansas City, MO
1986
Francis Marion
Wayland Baptist
Kansas City, MO
1985
SW Oklahoma State
Saginaw Valley State
Cedar Rapids, IA
1984
UNC Asheville
Portland
Cedar Rapids, IA
1983
SW Oklahoma State
Alabama-Huntsville
Kansas City, MO
1982
SW Oklahoma State
Missouri Southern State
Kansas City, MO
1981
Kentucky State
Texas Southern
Kansas City, MO
Division I (1992-2020)
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2020
Canceled – COVID 19
Billings, MT
2019
Montana Wester
Oklahoma City
Billings, MT
2018
Freed-Hardeman
Westmont
Billings, MT
2017
Oklahoma City
Lewis-Clark State
Independence, MO
2016
MidAmerica Nazarene
Baker
Independence, MO
2015
Oklahoma City
Campbellsville
Frankfort, KY
2014
Oklahoma City
Freed-Hardeman
Frankfort, KY
2013
Westmont
Lee (TN)
Frankfort, KY
2012
Oklahoma City
Union (TN)
Jackson, TN
2011
Azusa Pacific
Union (TN)
Jackson, TN
2010
Union (TN)
Azusa Pacific
Jackson, TN
2009
Union (TN)
Lambuth
Jackson, TN
2008
Vanguard
Trevecca Nazarene
Jackson, TN
2007
Lambuth
Cumberland (TN)
Jackson, TN
2006
Union (TN)
Lubbock Christian
Jackson, TN
2005
Union (TN)
Oklahoma City
Jackson, TN
2004
Southern Nazarene
Oklahoma City
Jackson, TN
2003
Southern Nazarene
Oklahoma City
Jackson, TN
2002
Oklahoma City
Southern Nazarene
Jackson, TN
2001
Oklahoma City
Auburn-Montgomery
Jackson, TN
2000
Oklahoma City
Simon Fraser
Jackson, TN
1999
Oklahoma City
Simon Fraser
Jackson, TN
1998
Union (TN)
Southern Nazarene
Jackson, TN
1997
Southern Nazarene
Union (TN)
Jackson, TN
1996
Southern Nazarene
SE Oklahoma State
Jackson, TN
1995
Southern Nazarene
SE Oklahoma State
Jackson, TN
1994
Southern Nazarene
Lipscomb
Jackson, TN
1993
Arkansas Tech
Union (TN)
Jackson, TN
1992
Arkansas Tech
Wayland Baptist
Jackson, TN
Division II (1992-2020)
YEAR
CHAMPION
RUNNERUP
LOCATION
2020
Canceled – COVID 19
Sioux City, IA
2019
Concordia (NE)
Southeastern (FL)
Sioux City, IA
2018
Dakota Wesleyan
Concordia (NE)
Sioux City, IA
2017
Marian (IN)
Saint Xavier
Sioux City, IA
2016
Marian (IN)
Southern Oregon
Sioux City, IA
2015
Morningside
Concordia (NE)
Sioux City, IA
2014
Saint Francis (IN)
Ozarks (MO)
Sioux City, IA
2013
Indiana Wesleyan
Davenport (MI)
Sioux City, IA
2012
Northwestern (IA)
Ozarks (MO)
Sioux City, IA
2011
Northwestern (IA)
Davenport
Sioux City, IA
2010
Northwestern (IA)
Shawnee State
Sioux City, IA
2009
Morningside
Hastings
Sioux City, IA
2008
Northwestern (IA)
Ozarks (MO)
Sioux City, IA
2007
Indiana Wesleyan
Ozarks (MO)
Sioux City, IA
2006
Hastings
Ozarks (MO)
Sioux City, IA
2005
Morningside
Cedarville
Sioux City, IA
2004
Morningside
Cedarville
Sioux City, IA
2003
Hastings
Dakota Wesleyan
Sioux City, IA
2002
Hastings
Cornerstone
Sioux City, IA
2001
Northwestern (IA)
Albertson
Sioux City, IA
2000
Mary (ND)
Northwestern (IA)
Sioux City, IA
1999
Shawnee State
St. Francis (IN)
Sioux City, IA
1998
Walsh
Mary Hardin-Baylor
Sioux City, IA
1997
Northwest Nazarene
Black Hills State
Angola, IN
1996
Western Oregon
Huron
Angola, IN
1995
Western Oregon
Northwest Nazarene
Monmouth, OR
1994
Northern State
Western Oregon
Monmouth, OR
1993
Northern Montana
Northern State
Monmouth, OR
1992
Northern State
Tarleton State
Monmouth, OR
AAU Champions
The Amateur Athletic Union first sponsored a national championship for women’s basketball beginning in 1926. At its inception, the AAU women’s basketball championship was played with men’s basketball rules, which was highly controversial at the time. More than 5,000 fans attended the very first event. The AAU Champion was the official national champion for women’s basketball from 1926 to 1969, when the CIAW and NWIT began hosting national championship events. Women’s basketball teams at the time were club teams sponsored by corporations. While a number of universities began sponsoring women’s basketball teams in the early 1900s, many had disbanded their programs by the late 1920s and, by the end of the decade, only 12 percent of colleges and universities fielded varsity women’s basketball teams.
