Division 1
Number of Schools: 363
Makes up 32% of all NCAA Schools
Median Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,960
Percentage of Student Athletes in Division: 37%
1 in 23 Students are athletes
57% of athletes receive financial aid
What is a D1 Athlete?
A Division 1 (D1) athlete is a student-athlete who participates in a college sports program that is a member of the NCAA Division. Division 1 is the highest level of college sports competition in the United States and includes many of the largest and most well-known universities and athletic programs.
What is D1?
D1 is short for Division 1. Division 1 programs offers the highest level of competition between the NCAA’s three divisions. Most Division 1 programs are found at large schools with big athletic budgets.
What does D1 Mean?
D1 stands for Division 1. It is the toughest division to get into and compete in. If you are on the roster of a Division 1 team, you are a Division 1 athlete.
It’s considered the most challenging division because you spend most of your time training at the gym or practicing. You take classes and study, but never as much as you train and practice.
Division 2
Number of Schools: 313
Makes up 28% of all NCAA Schools
Median Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,428
Percentage of Student Athletes in Division: 25%
1 in 10 Students are athletes
60% of athletes receive financial aid
If you want a more balanced approach to college, consider a D2 program. Being a Division 2 athlete also requires a lot of training and practice, but less than D1.
There are still the demands all student-athletes face, but it is not as intense and rigorous as the year-round total commitment of a D1 athlete.
Additionally, you’re more likely to be rewarded with aid. 60% of D2 athletes receive athletic aid.
Division 3
Number of Schools: 442
Makes up 41% of all NCAA Schools
Median Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,751
Percentage of Student Athletes in Division: 39%
1 in 4 Students are athletes
80% of athletes receive financial aid
*Division 3 schools can not offer athletic scholarships
If you want to focus on academics as much as your sport, a D3 program is your best bet. This doesn’t mean you don’t train or practice. But it’s less demanding and intense than it would be at a D1 or D2 school. Academics are just as important as athletics in a D3 school.
A D3 program offers you a more well-rounded college experience. You’ll have a better chance to make friends outside your sport and feel more connected to your classmates.