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Understanding the Difference Between Divisions in College Soccer

There are three NCAA Divisions, and they are determined primarily by financial commitments as well as the level of competition the college in question wants to participate within.
Number of Colleges by Division with Soccer Programs
Maximum Scholarships Allowed per Division in Soccer Programs
Foreign Student Athletes Participating in Soccer Programs
Seasons of Play
Weekly Time Commitment (on average)
DIVISION I ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division I school, you must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements:

  • Complete 16 core courses

  • Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses. 

  • Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching your core-course GPA on the Division I sliding scale, which balances your test score and core-course GPA. If you have a low test score, you need a higher core-course GPA to be eligible. If you have a low core-course GPA, you need a higher test score to be eligible.


AMATEURISM

The NCAA promotes amateurism to create a level playing field for all student-athletes. The young men and women who compete in college sports are students first, athletes second. If you want to compete in NCAA sports at a Division I school you must be an amateur athlete.

 


DIVISION II ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division II school, you must meet academic requirements for your core courses, grade-point average (GPA) and test scores. You must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements:

  • Complete 16 core courses:

  • Earn at least a 2.2 GPA in your core courses.

  • Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching your core-course GPA on the Division II sliding scale, which balances your test score and core-course GPA. If you have a low test score, you need a higher core-course GPA to be eligible. If you have a low core-course GPA, you need a higher test score to be eligible.


AMATEURISM

The NCAA promotes amateurism to create a level playing field for all student-athletes. The young men and women who play college sports are students first, athletes second. If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division II school you must be an amateur athlete.

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