NCAA Divisions - How many?

Hi, everyone. I've been considering pursuing athletics in college and I'm pretty confused about this - how many NCAA divisions are there in total? Do they have different academic requirements? Much thanks!

There are three NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) divisions - Division I, Division II, and Division III, each with different levels of competition and requirements.

Division I colleges are typically larger and offer the highest level of athletic competition — these are the schools you often see in TV sports. They often offer more athletic scholarships and have stricter academic eligibility rules, requiring a minimum grade point average and specific course completion.

Division II colleges also compete at a high level but are usually smaller and offer fewer athletic scholarships. Division II schools tend to place a bit more balance on academics and athletics, so the eligibility criteria, while still important, are slightly more relaxed than Division I.

Division III colleges are often smaller and generally do not offer athletic scholarships, emphasizing the balance of academics and athletics. While there still are eligibility rules, Division III has the least strict academic eligibility requirements.

So, while all Divisions do have academic requirements, they vary in terms of strictness, with Division I being the strictest and Division III being the least strict. Before you decide where to apply, you'll need to take into account whether the academic intensity and athletic competition level match your interests and abilities. This will help you find a good fit, not only for your athletic aspirations but also for your academic and career goals.