What are the different college athletic divisions?

College athletics are organized into several divisions: FBS and FCS (the two subdivisions of NCAA Division I for football), D-I (NCAA Division I schools without top-level football), D-II (NCAA Division II), D-III (NCAA Division III), NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), and JUCO (junior and community colleges). Each has different scholarship rules, roster sizes, and academic requirements.

How do I know which division is right for me?

The best division depends on your athletic ability, academic profile, and personal preferences. D-I programs (including FBS and FCS for football) are the most competitive and often offer full athletic scholarships in football, basketball, track & field, and girls flag football. D-III schools don't offer athletic scholarships but often provide strong academic aid. NAIA schools can offer more flexibility in recruiting. Your GPA, test scores, athletic stats, sport, and preferred school size all factor into finding your best fit.

What GPA do I need to play college sports?

GPA requirements vary by division. NCAA D-I and D-II require a minimum 2.3 core GPA through the NCAA Eligibility Center. D-III schools set their own academic standards. NAIA requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. However, most competitive programs recruit athletes with GPAs well above these minimums, typically 3.0+ for D-I programs.

How many college athletic programs are there in the US?

There are 2,000 college athletic programs across all divisions in football, basketball, track & field, and girls flag football on RawRecruit. This breaks down to 135 FBS programs, 120 FCS programs, 98 D-I programs (basketball and track without FBS or FCS football), 307 D-II programs, 415 D-III programs, 242 NAIA programs, and 683 JUCO programs.

Can I play college sports without a scholarship?

Yes. Walk-on opportunities exist at every division level across football, basketball, track & field, and girls flag football. Many D-III and some NAIA programs don't offer athletic scholarships at all. Athletes receive academic and need-based aid instead. Preferred walk-ons at D-I programs may eventually earn scholarships based on performance. Over 70% of college athletes are non-scholarship players.

When should I start the college recruiting process?

Most college coaches recommend starting the recruiting process in your sophomore year of high school (9th-10th grade). NCAA rules limit when coaches can contact recruits, but you can reach out to coaches at any time. Timelines vary by sport: football has early signing in December, basketball has live evaluation periods in April and July, and track & field recruiting often intensifies during indoor and outdoor championship seasons. Building your recruiting profile early gives you more options and more time to find the right fit.

Browse College Athletic Programs at 1,900+ Schools by Division

All 2,000 programs, state by state

The complete index. Open a state to jump to any program's page.

Alabama44 programs›

Alaska2 programs›

Arizona24 programs›

Arkansas30 programs›

British Columbia5 programs›

California183 programs›

Colorado19 programs›

Connecticut20 programs›

Delaware4 programs›

District Of Columbia9 programs›

Florida56 programs›

Georgia57 programs›

Hawaii5 programs›

Idaho8 programs›

Illinois85 programs›

Indiana44 programs›

Iowa41 programs›

Kansas51 programs›

Kentucky26 programs›

Louisiana27 programs›

Maine15 programs›

Maryland39 programs›

Massachusetts56 programs›

Michigan55 programs›

Minnesota45 programs›

Mississippi30 programs›

Missouri48 programs›

Montana12 programs›

Nebraska20 programs›

Nevada3 programs›

New Hampshire9 programs›

New Jersey47 programs›

New Mexico11 programs›

New York149 programs›

North Carolina66 programs›

North Dakota14 programs›

Ohio58 programs›

Oklahoma33 programs›

Oregon33 programs›

Pennsylvania115 programs›

Puerto Rico4 programs›

Rhode Island9 programs›

South Carolina44 programs›

South Dakota13 programs›

Tennessee47 programs›

Texas116 programs›

U.S. Virgin Islands1 program›

Virgin Islands

Utah18 programs›

Vermont7 programs›

Virginia45 programs›

Washington39 programs›

West Virginia26 programs›

Wisconsin27 programs›

Wyoming6 programs›

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