How many colleges make a profit from athletics?

Very few, if any, colleges make a profit from athletics in the sense of generating a surplus after all expenses are considered. While some Division I schools, particularly in football-rich conferences, generate significant revenue from their athletic programs, this revenue rarely exceeds the expenses. These expenses include:

* Scholarships: A large portion of athletic program budgets goes towards student-athlete scholarships.

* Coaching salaries: High-profile coaches command substantial salaries.

* Facilities: Maintaining and upgrading stadiums, training facilities, and other infrastructure is incredibly expensive.

* Travel and other operational costs: Travel to away games, equipment, medical care, and administrative staff all contribute to expenses.

Even seemingly successful athletic programs often operate at a loss or break even, with the athletic department's revenue subsidizing other parts of the university, or the university subsidizing the athletic department. The idea of profit in college athletics is often misleading and needs to be viewed within the context of the overall university's finances.