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NCAA Division II

The NCAA's partial-scholarship division — 292 schools balancing high-level competition with a regional, education-first model.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
Schools292 (2025–26)
ScholarshipsPartial athletic scholarships
Parent bodyNCAA
ModelRegional competition, education-first

What is NCAA Division II?

Division II is the NCAA's intermediate division: 292 colleges and universities offering partial athletic scholarships, with an emphasis on regional competition and a balance of athletics, academics and campus life.[1] [2]

How does Division II differ?

D-II schools award athletic aid on a partial-scholarship model — most athletes combine athletic money with academic aid — and compete mainly within their regions to limit travel and missed class time. Competition at the top of D-II overlaps with lower D-I in many sports.[1] [2]

What championships does Division II hold?

Division II crowns national champions in each sponsored sport — including its own Swimming & Diving Championships each March — and its athletes earn All-America honors through the same coaches-association structures as Division I.[3] [4] International athletes are a significant presence on D-II rosters, particularly in individual sports.[2]

References

  1. NCAA — Scholarships. Accessed August 2026.
  2. NCAA — Recruiting Fact Sheet (PDF). Accessed August 2026.
  3. Wikipedia — NCAA Division II (background). Accessed August 2026.
  4. CSCAA — College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association. Accessed August 2026.