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Division II Facts and Figures

Division II is a collection of more than 300 colleges and universities whose athletics programs foster a balanced and inclusive approach in which student-athletes learn and develop through their desired academic pursuits, in civic engagement with their communities and in athletics competition.

The Division II experience not only provides student-athletes the opportunity to earn scholarships based on their academic, athletic and leadership abilities, but it also offers the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions, and it prioritizes preparation for life beyond graduation. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms.

Learn More: Download the 2019-20 Division II Facts and Figures

Division II’s Distinguishing Dozen

1. Graduation rates. Division II’s student-athlete graduation rate is consistently higher than that of the total student body. Division II also features a high number of first-generation college students, thus increasing the access to education.

2. Academic emphasis. Division II’s regionalization philosophy in scheduling limits missed class time for student-athletes.

3. Athletics scholarships. The partial athletics scholarship model rewards athletics ability while allowing student-athletes to earn other sources of financial aid. A recent study on the financial impact of the partial-scholarship model found that in general, scholarship student-athletes benefit institutions’ overall academic profile, and the partial-aid model generates revenue for the school.

4. Balanced Bottom Line. The median expense for Division II athletics departments with football is roughly $6.5 million, while that figure is about $17 million for Division I Football Championship Subdivision programs and about $71 million for programs in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.

5. Favorable admission rates. Division II membership is split almost evenly between public and private institutions. On average, Division II schools have the highest admission rate (70 percent, versus 62-63 percent in the other two divisions).

6. Community engagement. Through student-athlete leadership, Division II has enjoyed long-term and successful partnerships with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Team Impact and military groups. In addition, Division II conducts community engagement activities at all championships final sites.

7. Positive game environment. Division II members pledge to conduct athletics contests in a family-friendly environment that is civil and entertaining.

8. Unique geographical footprint. Division II is the only NCAA division with schools in Alaska (Anchorage and Fairbanks), Puerto Rico (Bayamon, Mayaguez and Rio Piedras) and Canada (Simon Fraser).

9. National championship opportunities. Division II features unparalleled opportunity for student-athletes to advance to national championship competition as a result of the division’s generous championship access ratios (the highest among the three NCAA divisions).

10. National Championships Festivals. Division II is the only NCAA division that conducts “National Championships Festivals,” Olympic-style events in which a number of national championships are held at a single site over a period of several days.

11. Make It Yours. This student-athlete-driven brand enhancement strengthens awareness among external audiences by clearly communicating the experience Division II schools create for student-athletes.

12. Diversity and inclusion. Matching grants encourage access, recruitment, selection, and the long-term success of ethnic minorities and women in administration and coaching.