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.
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
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
- Begin applying Division I legislation
- Attend NCAA orientation and educational programming
- Submit annual report and strategic plan
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Full compliance with Division I legislation and membership requirements
- Complete compliance review and institutional response
- Begin NCAA self-study program
- Submit updated annual report and strategic plan
- Complete NCAA academic review
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Full compliance with Division I legislation and membership requirements
- Demonstrate compliance with core guarantees
- Successfully complete NCAA self-study
- Submit updated annual report and annual plan
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Meet Division I exit benchmarks
- Eligible for active Division I membership review
Reclassifying from Division III
- Begin applying Division I legislation
- Attend NCAA orientation and educational programming
- Submit annual report and strategic plan
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Full compliance with Division I legislation and membership requirements
- Complete compliance review and institutional response
- Submit annual report and strategic plan
- Complete NCAA academic review
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Full compliance with Division I legislation and membership requirements
- Begin NCAA self-study program
- Continue compliance monitoring
- Submit updated strategic plan
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- Full compliance with Division I legislation and membership requirements
- Demonstrate compliance with core guarantees
- Complete NCAA self-study program
- Submit updated annual report and annual plan
- Process violations of Division I legislation
- 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:
Institutions must receive a bona fide invitation from an active Division I multisport conference before petitioning to begin the reclassification process
Schools must meet Division I minimum sport sponsorship requirements and demonstrate the ability to sustain broad-based athletics programs
Institutions must demonstrate the ability to meet Division I financial aid expectations and scholarship minimums
Schools must meet required academic benchmarks, including APR and graduation rate expectations
Institution must submit a strategic plan, approved by the sponsoring conference, addressing the Division I philosophy statement and the requirements set forth by the Membership Committee
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 the first year of reclassification
- A Compliance Review in the second year of reclassification
- Academic-related education in the second year of reclassification
- Successful completion of a self-study program
- A Peer Review Visit in the final year 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.
Minimum 930 multiyear APR requirement per team
Award minimum scholarships requirements
Percentage of teams meeting scholarship thresholds
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, contact dimembership@NCAA.org.