Hey everyone, I am quite the sports enthusiast and wanted to know: does anyone know which sport usually offers the most scholarships at the college level? Might help me decide which sport to focus on more.
Sure, happy to shed some light! In terms of sheer numbers, the sports that tend to offer the most scholarships for both men and women are usually sports with big teams like track and field and football.
Football in particular, due to the large team size, offers a high number of scholarships but mainly at NCAA Division I schools. However, it's extremely competitive given its popularity among high school students. You might have more luck in a less popular sport as there can be less competition for scholarships. It's worth noting that in some less traditionally popular sports such as rowing, there could be a higher chance of securing a scholarship as there can sometimes be more funding than candidates.
Track and field, on the other hand, offers a significant number of scholarships across all NCAA divisions and for both genders. However, these are often divided among many athletes, so full scholarships can be few.
On the women's side, other sports with a significant number of scholarships include basketball and volleyball.
That being said, while the number of scholarships is important, it's equally important to assess your own skills, passion for the sport, and the time commitment you're willing to make. Excelling in a sport you love and having a significant impact in that sport could increase your chances of a scholarship than merely choosing a sport because it offers a larger number of scholarships.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.