Colleges fall into three major categories: NCAA (with D1, D2 and D3 levels), NAIA, and NJCAA. For student-athletes who wish to explore playing sports at the college level this page will provide you with links where you can find information about the various types of schools, scholarship opportunities, and requirements for admission.
Approximately 350 NCAA Division 1 colleges and universities in the United States.
Largest budgets and allotment of athletic scholarships.
Significant demand on a student-athletes college experience.
Provide for academic advisors and tutors to assist with the academic demands.
Approximately 300 NCAA Division II colleges and universities in the US and Canada.
Smaller in size and smaller athletic budgets than D1.
Scholarship: fewer athletic more academic.
Top DII programs similar to mid-level D1.
Demands on time are less.
Approximately 440 NCAA Division III colleges and universities in the US and Canada.
No athletic scholarships given in Division 3.
Academic merit scholarships may be provided.
Emphasis is placed on student-athlete balance.
Competitive academic institutions.
High quality sports teams in shorter seasons.
Approximately 250 NAIA colleges and universities.
Many award athletic scholarships.
Availability of scholarships varies greatly by institution.
Caliber of the top programs is similar to DII.
Recruiting rules are very limited.
Approximately 350 NCJAA institutions.
Two-year junior colleges allow player development.
Athletic scholarships are awarded.
Eligibility requirements are different than NCAA.