NCAA Division II Member Schools
Division II offers a balanced approach to intercollegiate athletics, with nearly 300 colleges and universities competing at a high level while emphasizing academics, campus engagement and student-athlete well-being. Division II programs are defined by regional competition and a partial scholarship model, requiring institutions to meet established standards for sport sponsorship, financial aid and long-term program sustainability.
Explore Division II Membership Data
Use the interactive dashboard below to search Division II schools, explore sport sponsorship and view membership trends across the division.
Division II Membership Process
Division II membership is a structured, multiyear process designed to prepare institutions for full NCAA participation. Schools must demonstrate readiness through education, annual reporting and compliance with Division II standards throughout the provisional membership pathway.
Key Considerations
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- Sport Sponsorship Minimums
- Partial Scholarship Model
- Regional Competition Structure
- Institutional Alignment with Division II Priorities
- Financial Sustainability and Resources
- Completion of the Multiyear Membership Process
How to Become a Division II Member
Division II membership process is a structured, multiyear process designed to prepare institutions for full NCAA participation. The provisional process options consist of two options: one process that is a minimum of three years, or an expedited process that is a minimum of two years.
- Not eligible for championships.
- Adhere to Division II legislation regarding full-time enrollment, good academic standing, sports sponsorship and health and safety in Year 1.
- Adhere to all Division II legislation beginning in Year 2.
- Complete annual reporting requirements.
- Not eligible for championships.
- Adhere to all Division II legislation beginning in Year 1
- Complete annual reporting requirements.
- Full Division II membership.
- Eligible for championships and full participation.
- Full Division II membership.
- Eligible for championships and full participation.
What Insitutions Must Have Before Applying
Before applying for Division II membership under either provisional process, institutions must demonstrate readiness across several key areas, including, not but limited to:
Institutions must receive a bona fide invitation from an active Division II conference before applying for Division II membership.
Institutions must demonstrate that they met the Division II minimum sports sponsorship requirements in the academic year immediately preceding the application date.
Institutions shall demonstrate they are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies and have been offering four-year baccalaureate degrees for a minimum of one academic year prior to submitting an application.
Institutions shall demonstrate they have personnel to operate a Division II athletics process, including, but not limited to:
- A full-time director of athletics, whose primary responsibility is overseeing the administration of the department of athletics and who has no coaching responsibilities; and
- A full-time administrator, whose primary responsibility is compliance and who has no coaching responsibilities
Institutions shall demonstrate that it is meeting the Division II minimum financial aid requirements at the time of application.
Institutions shall demonstrate that it is committed to the Division II Community Engagement Initiative for developing student-athletes and communities by actively engaging in shared experiences.
What to Expect During the Process
- Annual reporting and compliance reviews
- Required participation in NCAA education and programming (e.g., NCAA Convention, Regional Rules Seminar)
- Ongoing mentorship from NCAA staff and Division II Membership Committee