Opportunities to compete in intercollegiate Athletics by Sport, Division and Association.

I like to put into perspective for my clients the true number of opportunities to compete at the college level so that there is a reasonable expectation by everyone on the outcome and the difficulty of competing at the college level in any sport. There are approximately 650,000+ opportunities to compete in a sport at the college level. At the time of publication here is a breakdown of opportunities to compete in a sport at the college level. Below I have included some of the charts I use in my seminar converted to text to help show more detail. The number of athletes who go on to compete in college sports is highly differentiated by sport, with team sports like football, basketball, and soccer offering the most significant number of opportunities, but with intense competition for roster spots and scholarships. Other sports, such as track and field, volleyball, and tennis, also offer solid opportunities, but the number of athletes transitioning to college varies based on the sport’s popularity and scholarship opportunities. In this post, we’ll explore how many high school athletes make the transition to college sports each year, and where they go to compete.

Each sport has its own unique scholarship limits and roster sizes, which shape how many athletes can transition from high school to college sports. When you consider how Junior/Community College transfers, redshirts, graduate students and the NCAA transfer portal impact opportunities to compete, high school seniors must understand that there are significantly fewer opportunities for them to be recruited and compete. Knowing these dynamics is crucial for aspiring student-athletes who are aiming to compete at the collegiate level.

When it comes to the number of high school athletes who transition to college sports, the opportunities can vary widely across different sports. Each sport offers different levels of competition and scholarship availability at the collegiate level, which ultimately affects how many high school athletes make the leap.

Football is one of the most popular sports in high school, with over 1 million students participating each year. However, only a small percentage go on to compete in college. NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs can offer up to 85 full scholarships, and many schools maintain rosters of over 100 players. At the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, the scholarship limit is 63, but rosters tend to be large as well. Approximately 2% of high school football players make the jump to Division I, while Division II schools offer 36 scholarships, with smaller rosters. Division III football programs don’t offer athletic scholarships but still boast large rosters, sometimes up to 100 players. Football is also popular in the NAIA and NJCAA, with NAIA schools offering around 12 full scholarships per team.

Basketball also has a high level of participation, with around 500,000 high school students playing the sport each year. Due to smaller roster sizes and fierce competition, moving on to college basketball is highly competitive, but opportunities exist at both the men’s and women’s levels. NCAA Division I basketball teams are allowed 13 full scholarships, with rosters typically ranging from 15 to 18 players. Around 2% of high school players move on to Division I programs. NCAA Division II schools can offer 10 full scholarships, while Division III programs don’t offer athletic scholarships but still maintain competitive teams with rosters of 15 to 18 players. Many high school athletes also transition into NAIA basketball programs, where 12 full scholarships are available.

Baseball is another sport with around 500,000 high school participants, making it highly competitive at the collegiate level. Division I teams can offer 11 full scholarships, though this is fewer than in football or basketball. Roster sizes for Division I baseball typically range from 30 to 35 players. Division II programs offer 9 full scholarships, and junior colleges (NJCAA) are a popular route for many baseball players. NJCAA teams can offer around 24 full scholarships, providing an excellent opportunity for athletes to develop their skills before transferring to a 4-year college.

Soccer is widely played in high school, with nearly 400,000 students participating. The number of collegiate opportunities is relatively high compared to some other sports. NCAA Division I men’s soccer teams can offer 10 full scholarships, while women’s teams can offer 14 full scholarships. Roster sizes generally range from 25 to 30 players for both men and women. Division II programs offer 9 full scholarships for both men and women. Junior colleges also offer a popular option for soccer players, with 9 full scholarships and slightly smaller rosters of 20 to 25 players.

Track and Field has a massive following in high school, with over 600,000 participants. This sport offers opportunities for a wide variety of athletes, given the diverse events and high participation rates. NCAA Division I schools offer 12 full scholarships for men and 18 full scholarships for women. Division I teams are often large, with rosters ranging from 30 to 50 athletes, depending on the size of the school and the events they cover. Division II programs offer the same number of scholarships, while Division III doesn’t offer athletic scholarships but still maintains highly competitive teams. NAIA and NJCAA also offer track and field opportunities, with NAIA schools typically offering 12 full scholarships and NJCAA teams offering 18.

Other sports such as volleyball, wrestling, tennis, and lacrosse offer varying opportunities. NCAA Division I programs typically offer 4.5 full scholarships for men’s volleyball, 10 full scholarships for men’s lacrosse, and 12 full scholarships for wrestling. Women’s volleyball and lacrosse programs often offer 12 full scholarships. Many athletes also pursue opportunities in the NAIA or NJCAA, where additional scholarships may be available. Individual sports like golf and tennis see fewer high school participants compared to team sports, but they still provide excellent collegiate opportunities. NCAA Division I and II programs offer 4.5 full scholarships for men’s tennis and 6 full scholarships for women’s tennis, with similar opportunities available in golf.

The number of opportunities to compete in college sports can vary widely depending on the sport, the level of competition, and the number of available scholarships. High school athletes hoping to continue their careers in college need to consider these factors, as well as the potential for growth and development in their chosen sport. Whether through NCAA, NAIA, USCAA, NCCAA, NJCAA or CCAA there are ample opportunities for athletes to pursue their passion for sports at the collegiate level if you can find the right fit.

Total Opportunities to compete by Association/Division (Approximate at time of publication)

• NCAA DI: 180,000+
• NCAA DII: 115,000+
• NCAA DIII: 190,000+
• NAIA: 60,000+
• NJCAA: 60,000+
• NCCAA: 10,000+
• USCAA: 5,000+
• CCCAA: 30,000+

This brings the approximate total number of opportunities to over 650,000+ student-athletes across all divisions and associations.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the number of sports typically offered by each Association/Division, categorized by sport type (e.g., team sports, individual sports). I have included estimates for the number of sports offered within each association at the time of publication.

Opportunities by Sport

Association/Division	Team Sports	Individual Sports	Total Number of Sports	Men’s Sports	Women’s Sports
NCAA Division I	12	12	24	13	11
NCAA Division II	10	4	14	8	6
NCAA Division III	13	6	19	9	10
NAIA	13	13	26	13	13
NJCAA	13	11	24	13	11
NCCAA	9	7	16	8	8
USCAA	9	6	15	8	7
CCCAA	11	11	22	11	11

 

Breakdown of Specific Sports by Association/Division

NCAA Division I (24 sports)

• Team Sports (12):
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Rowing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
• Individual Sports (12):
  • Bowling
  • Cheerleading
  • Track & Field (Indoor/Outdoor)
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Wrestling
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Fencing
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing
  • Archery

NCAA Division II (14 sports)

• Team Sports (10):
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
• Individual Sports (4):
  • Track & Field
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Golf
  • Wrestling

NCAA Division III (19 sports)

• Team Sports (13):
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
• Individual Sports (6):
  • Track & Field
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Wrestling
  • Golf
  • Fencing

NAIA (26 sports)

• Team Sports (13):
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Rugby
• Individual Sports (13):
  • Bowling
  • Cheerleading
  • Equestrian
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Ice Skating
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Wrestling
  • Wrestling
  • Archery
  • Skateboarding

NJCAA (24 sports)

• Team Sports (13):
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
  • Rugby
• Individual Sports (11):
  • Track & Field
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Golf
  • Wrestling
  • Cross-Country
  • Wrestling
  • Tennis
  • Archery
  • Running

NCAA Scholarships and Roster Sizes by Sport (NCAA.ORG)

(Note: NCAA Division I and II have specific scholarship limits and roster limits, while Division III does not offer athletic scholarships.)

NCAA Division I (Scholarship Limits & Roster Size)

Sport	Scholarship Limit (per team)	Roster Size (approx.)
Football	85 Full Scholarships (FBS) / 63 (FCS)	100–125+ (FBS) / 85–105 (FCS)
Basketball	13 Full Scholarships	15–18
Baseball	11.7 Full Scholarships	30–35
Softball	12 Full Scholarships	20–25
Soccer	9.9 Full Scholarships (Men), 14 Full (Women)	25–30 (Men), 25–30 (Women)
Lacrosse	12.6 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	40–50 (Men), 30–35 (Women)
Volleyball	4.5 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	15–18
Track & Field	12.6 Full Scholarships (Men), 18 (Women)	30–50
Golf	4.5 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–12 (Men), 8–12 (Women)
Tennis	4.5 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–10 (Men), 8–10 (Women)
Wrestling	9.9 Full Scholarships	25–35
Swimming	9.9 Full Scholarships (Men), 14 (Women)	20–25
Ice Hockey	18 Full Scholarships	25–30

NCAA Division II (Scholarship Limits & Roster Size)

Sport	Scholarship Limit (per team)	Roster Size (approx.)
Football	36 Full Scholarships (FCS)	85–100
Basketball	10 Full Scholarships	15–18
Baseball	9 Full Scholarships	25–30
Softball	7 Full Scholarships	15–20
Soccer	9 Full Scholarships (Men), 9.9 (Women)	20–30
Lacrosse	9.9 Full Scholarships (Men), 9.9 (Women)	30–35 (Men), 30 (Women)
Volleyball	4.5 Full Scholarships (Men), 8 (Women)	12–15 (Men), 15–20 (Women)
Track & Field	12.6 Full Scholarships (Men), 18 (Women)	25–50
Golf	3.6 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–12 (Men), 8–12 (Women)
Tennis	4.5 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–12 (Men), 8–12 (Women)
Wrestling	9.9 Full Scholarships	20–30
Swimming	8 Full Scholarships (Men), 10 (Women)	15–20

NCAA Division III (No Athletic Scholarships, but roster sizes and recruitment are based on enrollment needs of the Institution.)

• Football: Roster sizes typically range from 80–100 players.
• Basketball: Roster sizes typically range from 15–18 players.
• Baseball: Roster sizes typically range from 30–35 players.
• Softball: Roster sizes typically range from 20–25 players.
• Soccer: Roster sizes typically range from 25–30 players.
• Lacrosse: Roster sizes typically range from 35–50 players.
• Track & Field: Roster sizes typically range from 30–50 athletes.
• Volleyball: Roster sizes typically range from 15–18 players.

NAIA Scholarship Limits & Roster Size (NAIA.ORG)

Sport	Scholarship Limit (per team)	Roster Size (approx.)
Football	12 Full Scholarships	90–100+
Basketball	12 Full Scholarships	15–18
Baseball	12 Full Scholarships	30–35
Softball	12 Full Scholarships	20–25
Soccer	12 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	25–30
Lacrosse	12 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	30–35
Volleyball	8 Full Scholarships (Men), 8 (Women)	12–15
Track & Field	12 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	30–40
Golf	5 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–12 (Men), 8–12 (Women)
Tennis	5 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–10 (Men), 8–10 (Women)
Wrestling	12 Full Scholarships	20–35
Swimming	8 Full Scholarships (Men), 8 (Women)	15–20

 

NJCAA Scholarship Limits & Roster Size (NJCAA.ORG)

Sport	Scholarship Limit (per team)	Roster Size (approx.)
Football	85 Full Scholarships (Some schools)	85–100+
Basketball	15 Full Scholarships	15–18
Baseball	24 Full Scholarships (Some schools)	30–35
Softball	12 Full Scholarships	20–25
Soccer	9 Full Scholarships (Men), 9 (Women)	20–25
Lacrosse	12 Full Scholarships (Men), 12 (Women)	30–40
Volleyball	8 Full Scholarships (Men), 8 (Women)	12–15
Track & Field	12 Full Scholarships (Men), 18 (Women)	25–50
Golf	6 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–12 (Men), 8–12 (Women)
Tennis	6 Full Scholarships (Men), 6 (Women)	8–10 (Men), 8–10 (Women)
Wrestling	12 Full Scholarships	20–30
Swimming	9 Full Scholarships (Men), 10 (Women)	15–20

Summary of Scholarship Limits and Roster Sizes:

• NCAA Division I generally offers the most scholarship opportunities (especially in sports like football and basketball) and has large roster sizes.
• NCAA Division II offers fewer scholarships than DI, but still provides significant opportunities for athletes, especially in non-revenue sports.
• NCAA Division III does not offer athletic scholarships, but still has competitive rosters.
• NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA, USCAA, CCCAA provide a mix of scholarship opportunities, with more partial scholarships available, and generally smaller rosters.

How Many High School Athletes Go on to Compete in College Sports?

Each year, millions of high school students participate in sports, but not all of them continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The journey from high school athlete to college competitor can vary widely depending on factors like recruitment, scholarship opportunities, and the level of competition.

Around 7.9 million students participate in high school sports each year in the United States, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). While that’s an impressive number, the percentage of those athletes who go on to compete at the college level is much smaller. The NCAA, the largest governing body for college sports, reports that only 2% of high school athletes will eventually compete at the Division I level, while roughly 7%move on to NCAA Division II or III.

However, the NCAA isn’t the only organization offering college athletic opportunities. Many athletes also find opportunities in the NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA, USCAA, and CCCAA. While it’s harder to pinpoint exact participation numbers for these associations compared to the NCAA, they also attract a significant number of athletes from high school.

In terms of NCAA participation, around 2% of high school athletes, approximately 158,000, will continue their athletic careers at the Division I level. Division II sees a higher percentage, with about 7% of high school athletes, or 553,000, transitioning into college sports. Division III, despite not offering athletic scholarships, remains a popular option, with an estimated 6-7% of high school athletes, or about 474,000, competing in these programs.

Outside the NCAA, the NAIA offers athletic opportunities to around 1% of high school athletes, which equates to about 80,000–100,000 athletes. Many students also choose to compete at the NJCAA level, with an estimated 50,000-60,000 athletes moving on to junior colleges each year. Additionally, smaller institutions and specialized associations such as the NCCAA, USCAA, and CCCAA offer athletic opportunities for around 25,000–30,000 athletes annually.

When you combine all the numbers, the total estimated number of high school athletes moving on to compete in college sports across all divisions and associations is approximately 1.4 to 1.5 million.

To sum it up, while the road to college sports is competitive and the transition from high school to collegiate athletics is challenging, roughly 1.4 to 1.5 million student-athletes each year make the leap. This figure includes athletes across all levels, from NCAA Division I to smaller associations like the NAIA and NJCAA. While the percentage may seem small, it’s still a significant number of athletes fulfilling their dreams of competing at the next level.

To learn more about PrepSearch and how I’ve helped over 1,700 students attend college through sports since 2007, please explore the rest of my website. For more information about my seminars for high schools and clubs, or to inquire about my recruiting advisory services, feel free to complete the contact form on my website at www.prepsearch.net.

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EM