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NCAA Division I Member Schools

Division I represents the NCAA’s highest level of intercollegiate athletics, with more than 360 colleges and universities competing nationally across a broad range of sports. Division I programs are defined by their scale, visibility and commitment to providing student-athletes with access to premier competition, resources and support, while meeting specific requirements related to sport sponsorship, financial aid and institutional investment.

Explore Division I Membership Data

Use the interactive dashboard below to search Division I schools, explore sport sponsorship and view membership trends across the division.

View Full List of Division I Schools
DI FBS Schools
DI FCS Schools
DI Autonomy Members
DI Non-Autonomy Members

Division I Reclassification Overview

The NCAA Division I reclassification process is designed to prepare institutions for full Division I membership through education, strategic planning and compliance with Division I membership requirements.

Schools reclassifying from Division II complete a minimum three-year process, while Division III institutions complete a minimum four-year process. Both pathways require conference sponsorship, institutional readiness and ongoing compliance reviews.

Key Considerations

  • Conference invitation requirement
  • Sport sponsorship minimums
  • Financial aid expectations
  • Academic performance benchmarks
  • NCAA compliance reviews
  • Strategic planning and annual reporting
  • Membership committee oversight
View Speciality Classification Requirements

How to Become a Division I Member

Institutions seeking Division I membership must complete a structured reclassification process that includes education, compliance reviews, strategic planning and demonstrated commitment to Division I standards. Requirements vary slightly depending on whether the institution is reclassifying from Division II or Division III.

Reclassifying from Division II

Year 1
  • Begin applying Division I legislation
  • Attend NCAA orientation and educational programming
  • Complete NCAA academic review
  • Submit annual report and strategic plan
Year 2
  • Full compliance with Division I legislation
  • Complete compliance review and institutional response
  • Begin NCAA self-study program
  • Submit updated strategic plan
Year 3
  • Complete self-study program
  • Demonstrate compliance with core guarantees
  • Meet Division I exit benchmarks
  • Eligible for active Division I membership review

Reclassifying from Division III

Year 1
  • Begin applying Division I legislation
  • Complete NCAA academic review
  • Attend NCAA educational programming
  • Submit annual report and strategic plan
Year 2
  • Full compliance with Division I requirements
  • Complete compliance review
  • Submit updated strategic plan
Year 3
  • Begin NCAA self-study program
  • Continue compliance monitoring
  • Submit updated strategic plan
Year 4
  • Complete NCAA self-study program
  • Demonstrate compliance with core guarantees
  • Meet Division I exit benchmarks
  • Eligible for active Division I membership review

What Insitutions Must Have Before Applying

Before applying for Division I membership, institutions must demonstrate readiness across several key areas:

Conference Invitation

Institutions must receive a bona fide invitation from an active Division I multisport conference before beginning the reclassification process

Sport Sponsorship Requirements

Schools must meet Division I minimum sport sponsorship requirements and demonstrate the ability to sustain broad-based athletics programs

Financial Aid Commitment

Institutions must demonstrate the ability to meet Division I financial aid expectations and scholarship minimums

Academic Performance Standards

Schools must meet required academic benchmarks, including APR and graduation rate expectations

Institutional Readiness

Institutions must demonstrate operational readiness through compliance systems, staffing and strategic planning

Commitment to Division I Philosophy

Schools must demonstrate alignment with the Division I philosophy and commitment to supporting student-athlete success

What to Expect During the Process

  • Application fee
  • Annual reporting to be reviewed but the NCAA Division I Membership Committee
  • An orientation in Year One of reclassification
  • A Compliance Review in Year Two of reclassification
  • Academic-related education in Year Two of reclassification
  • A self-study introduction in Year Two and implementation in Year Three of reclassification
  • A Peer Review Visit in Year Three of reclassification
  • Other requirements: Must meet exit benchmarks established by the NCAA Division I Membership Committee

Exit Benchmark Requirements

To advance to active Division I membership, institutions must meet specific academic, financial aid and scholarship benchmarks established by the NCAA.

Academic Performance Rate (APR)

Minimum 930 multiyear APR requirement

Financial Aid Benchmarks

Scholarship minimum requirements and grants-in-aid expectations

Sport Sponsorship Epectations

Percentage of teams meeting scholarship thresholds

Compliance and Self-Study

Completion of NCAA self-study and committee review

Moratorium Notice

On August 5, 2025, The Board of Directors approved a moratorium on new applications for reclassification from Division II and Division III to Division I. The moratorium will extend until February 2027 and does not apply to institutions that received a written invitation or letter of interest from a conference or submitted a written letter of interest to join a conference before August 5, 2025.

For more information, please contact:

Kris Richardson at krichardson@ncaa.org or 317-917-6654

Jenn Samble at jsamble@ncaa.org or 317-917-6675

Angela Tressel at atressel@ncaa.org or 317-917-6560