December 2, 1981 United Soccer Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia U |
| 2 | Connecticut |
| 3 | Eastern Illinois |
| 4 | Alabama A&M |
| 5 | Indiana |
| 6 | Long Island |
| 7 | San Francisco |
| 8 | Clemson |
| 9 | Quincy |
| 10 | West Virginia |
| 11 | Saint Louis |
| 12 | Penn State |
| 13 | Columbia |
| 14 | SIU-Edwardsville |
| 15 | Duke |
| 16 | Tampa |
| 17 | San Jose State |
| 18 | Akron |
| 19 | Cal State-LA |
| 20 | Rowan |