How Many NCAA Divisions Exist?

Colgate forward Keegan Records, right, shoots over Baylor forward Jalen Bridges, left, during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 22, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn.
(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
  • There are three NCAA divisions.
  • Colgate University is the smallest Division I school.
  • Division III has the most schools.

While NCAA championship odds get the most attention from bettors when it comes to college sports, the structure goes far beyond Division I teams competing for glory. 

Before placing live bets on the latest basketball betting lines, it’s a good idea to get a grasp of the different standards in college hoops. 

How Many NCAA Divisions Exist?

The NCAA has three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III.

How Many Division I NCAA Schools Are There?

There are 364 Division I NCAA schools. 

These schools have larger budgets for sports and more student-athletes than Division II and Division III colleges.

What Is the Smallest D1 School?

Colgate University in Hamilton, New York is the smallest Division I school. Colgate has around 2,900 students and competes in the Patriot League.

Adonal Foyle, who played more than 700 NBA games, is one of the most successful athletes from Colgate.

How Many NCAA D2 Colleges Are There?

There are 304 NCAA Division II colleges. 

Most Division II schools are private institutions, which allow students a balance between sports and academic education.

How Many NCAA D3 Colleges Are There?

There are 431 NCAA Division III colleges at the time of writing, making it the largest of the three NCAA divisions.

Johnson & Wales University and Regent University are pending NCAA approval to join Division III. 

How Many NAIA Schools Are There?

A total of 237 schools are involved in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

The competition level at the best NAIA schools is similar to mid-tier Division II colleges. 

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