The short answer · The short version
Division I. More than 350 schools. The highest level of play and the most athletic aid. The Ivy League is D1 but gives no athletic scholarships.
Division II. Smaller schools that give athletic scholarships, often partial ones split across a roster.
Division III. The largest division. No athletic scholarships, but academic aid and real competition.
NAIA and junior college. Separate from the NCAA, with their own scholarships, and a common path to a four-year school.
Which one is right for you
The best level is the one where you'll play, keep developing and graduate. A starter at D2 often gets more out of college than a player who never sees the field at D1.
Know your real numbers and compare them to players at each level. That tells you where you fit today, and how far you are from where you want to be.
Eligibility
Division I asks for 16 core courses and a 2.3 core GPA. Division II asks for 16 core courses and a 2.2 core GPA. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center for either one. Division III schools set their own admission rules.
Find your level
- Measure yourself.Real numbers for your sport and position.
- Compare honestly.Where players at each level are, and where you are.
- Make a wide list.D1, D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO schools you'd actually attend.
- Reach out to all of them.Every level recruits. Email the coaches.
Questions
What is the difference between D1, D2 and D3?
D1 is the highest level with the most athletic aid. D2 offers athletic scholarships, often partial. D3 offers no athletic scholarships.
Do D3 schools give athletic scholarships?
No. Division III schools give academic and need-based aid instead.
Is D2 better than D1?
D1 is a higher level of play. The better choice is the school where you'll play, develop and graduate.
What GPA do you need for D2?
A 2.2 core-course GPA in 16 NCAA core courses.