Louisiana Tech carved its name into history as the first NCAA Division I women’s basketball champion, defeating Cheyney 76-62 in the inaugural title game back in 1982, held in Norfolk, Virginia.
But when it comes to most national championships, no program comes close to UConn.
Top Women’s Basketball Programs by National Championships
12 Titles — UConn (Connecticut)
Championship Years: 2025, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1995
The Huskies continue to dominate college hoops. With 12 national titles, UConn has been the team to beat for decades. Remarkably, six of those championships came during undefeated seasons. Two of those perfect seasons occurred during a jaw-dropping 111-game winning streak, which lasted 867 days between 2014 and 2017.
Undefeated Seasons:
- 1995 (35–0)
- 2002 (39–0)
- 2009 (39–0)
- 2010 (39–0)
- 2014 (40–0)
- 2016 (38–0)
8 Titles — Tennessee
Championship Years: 2008, 2007, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1991, 1989, 1987
Under legendary coach Pat Summitt, Tennessee rose to the top of the sport. Summitt coached for 38 seasons, never had a losing record, and guided the Lady Vols to eight national championships across three decades, along with five runner-up finishes.
3 Titles (Tied) — Baylor
Championship Years: 2019, 2012, 2005
Led by fiery and fierce head coach Kim Mulkey, Baylor became a national force. The Lady Bears captured attention with a one-point thriller in 2019 and a perfect 40–0 campaign in 2012.
3 Titles — Stanford
Championship Years: 2021, 1992, 1990
While their first two titles came in the early ’90s, Stanford added a third in 2021, cementing their legacy as a perennial contender. The Cardinal have reached the Final Four 15 times.
3 Titles — South Carolina
Championship Years: 2017, 2022, 2024
Since Dawn Staley took the reins, South Carolina has become a modern powerhouse. The Gamecocks boast three titles, including an undefeated championship season in 2024, and have appeared in five Final Fours.
2 Titles (Tied) — Notre Dame
Championship Years: 2018, 2001
Under Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame reshaped the women’s basketball landscape. The Irish reached nine Final Fours and were national runners-up five times. Their 2018 title nearly became a back-to-back, falling just short in 2019.
2 Titles (Tied) — Louisiana Tech
Championship Years: 1988, 1982
The Lady Techsters etched their name in history by winning the first-ever NCAA women’s title. They reached the championship game four times in the first seven years and made four runner-up appearances, though they haven’t been to the final since 1998.
2 Titles (Tied) — Southern California (USC)
Championship Years: 1984, 1983
USC became the first program to win back-to-back titles in women’s basketball. In 1983, they denied Louisiana Tech a repeat, and in 1984, they edged out Pat Summitt’s Tennessee by two points, leaving her titleless at the time.
Table: Women’s NCAA Champions – Titles, Years & Coaches
| Team | Titles | Championship Years | Notable Coach(es) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | 12 | 1995, 2000, 2002–2004, 2009–2010, 2013–2016, 2025 | Geno Auriemma |
| Tennessee | 8 | 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996–1998, 2007–2008 | Pat Summitt |
| Baylor | 3 | 2005, 2012, 2019 | Kim Mulkey |
| Stanford | 3 | 1990, 1992, 2021 | Tara VanDerveer |
| South Carolina | 3 | 2017, 2022, 2024 | Dawn Staley |
| Notre Dame | 2 | 2001, 2018 | Muffet McGraw |
| Louisiana Tech | 2 | 1982, 1988 | Sonja Hogg, Leon Barmore |
| USC | 2 | 1983, 1984 | Linda Sharp |
