The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has three Divisions: DI, DII, and DIII. These Divisions differ in the level of athletic play, academics, and the amount of athletic scholarships or aid each team can offer athletes on their roster. In addition to the NCAA, many athletic opportunities can be found within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), or the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). This article guides you through each division to help you identify which may be most compatible with the college experience you envision for yourself.
NCAA Division I
How Many Division I Programs Are There?
There are more than 350 schools with NCAA Division I programs.
What Type of Athlete Plays NCAA DI?
Playing at the Division I level is very competitive. Most athletes who are 4-5 star recruits or are nationally ranked will play at a Division I program. Athletes who compete at a Division I program will dedicate much of their time to their sport. Division I programs look to recruit student-athletes who are highly skilled and have a strong commitment to playing their sport at the next level.
What are DI Schools like?
Division I college programs can be found across the country! They are usually larger, with a median undergraduate enrollment of around 8,960 students. Today, there are 350 member schools nationwide, with over 190,000 student-athletes competing at this NCAA level. Recruiting for Division I is very competitive due to the high playing level and because there are a limited number of programs and roster spots available.
Do DI Schools Offer Athletic Scholarships?
At the NCAA Division I level, college coaches can offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes. Depending on your sport, you may be eligible to receive a full or partial scholarship. To learn more about Division I Athletic Scholarships, look up your sport here.
Keep in mind that Ivy League schools do not offer athletic aid. Ivy Leagues can only provide academic scholarships, merit-based scholarships, and financial aid. To learn more about how to pay for college without athletic scholarships, you can review here the alternative forms of financial aid and determine if you’re eligible for each.
What Can I Expect as a Division I Student-Athlete?
As a Division I athlete, you will be expected to commit to training year-round. At this level of competition, dedicating a significant portion of your time to training and team travel is expected. You must manage your time effectively to ensure you are staying up on your academics, which is an integral part of being a student-athlete and maintaining your eligibility.
NCAA Division II
Playing at the Division II collegiate level is still competitive. However, athletes at these schools can generally expect to spend less time on training and competition than their Division I counterparts. At the DII level, student-athletes must have one day off per week from athletics activities during the competitive season.
How Many Division II Programs Are There?
There are 312 member schools today, making it the NCAA division with the fewest athletic programs. NCAA DII programs can be found across the country and across all of the NCAA-sanctioned sports.
What Type of Athlete Plays Division II?
NCAA Division II programs are competitive. Student-athletes who are 3-5 star recruits may find themselves playing for a Division II program. Athletes who compete for a Division II program are dedicated to excelling in both their sport and academic endeavors. Division II coaching staff look to recruit student-athletes who are dedicated to their sport and are eager to develop their athletic skills further while maintaining a balanced approach to academics.
What are DII Schools Like?
The NCAA Division II is known for its dedication to helping student-athletes balance their academic and athletic endeavors while encouraging them to engage in their community. Most DII schools (89%) have fewer than 7,500 students, so they can foster a more personal learning environment. Due to the smaller size of most DII schools, student-athletes have a higher opportunity to participate in championship play. Active community engagement and a commitment to inclusivity further define Division II, providing student-athletes with a well-rounded and prepared foundation for life beyond college.
Do DII Schools Offer Athletic Scholarships?
Division II programs are able to offer partial athletic scholarships depending on the sport, with only a few able to offer full athletic scholarships. You can find the exact number of scholarships available to each Division II team here.
What Can I Expect as a Division II Athlete?
As a Division II student-athlete, you will dedicate much of your time and efforts to your program. Similar to Division I, it will be important to manage your time wisely between academics and athletics. While Division II may not be as large of an athletic commitment as Division I, you should still expect to practice throughout the academic year.
NCAA Division III
If you want a more balanced college experience, then Division III may be the perfect fit for you. While DIII student-athletes remain dedicated to their sport, they also have more time to focus on a more holistic college experience. At the DIII level, student-athletes have more significant opportunities to participate in clubs, study abroad, or even play multiple collegiate sports.
How Many Division III Programs Are There?
Currently, 430 schools and nearly 200,000 students are participating in NCAA Division III athletic programs across the United States. This makes Division DIII the largest of the three NCAA divisions in terms of total member schools. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the easiest level of competition. However, it does mean if you are interested in the DIII level, there are plenty of schools to look at!
What Type of Athlete Plays Division III?
Student-athletes who are looking for a more balanced lifestyle in college are most likely going to be at an NCAA Division III program. Depending on the NCAA Division III program you play at, it may be just as competitive as some lower-level DI or DII programs. Athletes who compete at a Division III program bring diverse athletic skill sets and value the true student-athlete experience, emphasizing the importance of time management. NCAA DIII coaches are looking for student-athletes who are passionate about their sport and also looking to prioritize their academics.
What Are DIII Schools Like?
On average, DIII schools have around 2,500 students, with almost a third of those being student-athletes. Division III prioritizes a well-rounded collegiate experience, balancing rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and various co-curricular opportunities. These schools value a love for the game without the pressure of athletic scholarships and focus on the impact of athletics on its participants. This mentality fosters personal growth, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership. With a commitment to broad-based programs and regional competition, Division III integrates athletics seamlessly into campus life, subjecting student-athletes to the same standards as the general student body.
Do DIII Schools Offer Athletic Scholarships?
No, Division III does not offer athletic scholarships. However, there are many other ways to help pay for college. Many DIII student-athletes apply for alternative scholarships, such as academic, merit-based, or financial aid. Learn more about these scholarships and financial aid here.
What Can I Expect as a Division III Athlete?
Being a Division III athlete, you can expect to have a balanced lifestyle in terms of athletics, academics, and social life. However, depending on the Division III program you play for, you may dedicate more time to athletics. Ultimately, being a Division III athlete you will have more of a holistic college experience than Division I and Division II student-athletes.
NAIA
The National Athletics Intercollegiate Association (NAIA), is a college athletic association separate from the NCAA. The NAIA has roughly 250 member institutions offering programs across all major sports and is home to over 80,000 student-athletes annually. NAIA schools are usually smaller in size and provide a great lifestyle balance for student-athletes. NAIA can also offer partial athletic scholarships.
To play at the NAIA level, you will need to register with the NAIA Eligibility Center and create a profile at PlayNAIA.org. You will submit NAIA-specific documentation verifying you meet all NAIA eligibility requirements there. Setting up your eligibility center account typically takes only a few minutes. Once all documents are submitted to the NAIA Eligibility Center, it generally takes 3-7 business days for the NAIA to complete the review process. Still, it may be longer for transfer students or if the athlete has submitted multiple transcripts.
NJCAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), also referred to as Junior Colleges (JUCO), are 2-year programs. If you are still deciding if you are ready to attend or participate athletically at a 4-year college or university, a Junior College could be an excellent fit for you. Many student-athletes who attend Junior Colleges intend to transfer to a 4-year university after completing their 2 years. Many college coaches at JUCO programs have built strong relationships with the staff at nearby 4-year schools and can help facilitate conversations about transferring.
Junior Colleges are an excellent choice for student-athletes still deciding where they want to study or play for the next 4 years. Depending on the school and the sport you play, athletes may be eligible to receive either a full-ride scholarship or a partial scholarship at a Junior College.
How to Find Your Best College Matches
Use the free SportsRecruits Advanced School Search tool to find every school in the country in the divisions you care about most. Add additional filters, such as size of school, majors offered, and location, to narrow in on your target list of colleges. In several sports, you can also filter down to schools actively recruiting your class year and position. Sign up or log in to your SportsRecruits account to start searching.