Helena Frye
NCAA Division I is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. Division I includes over 350 member schools, providing opportunities for over 190,000 student-athletes to compete in various sports, including basketball. For the 2020-21 school year, there were 357 Division I schools, with 355 full members of 31 Division I basketball conferences and eight more in transition from Division II. Division I basketball colleges are comprised of the most elite basketball players, and student-athletes must meet highly competitive recruiting guidelines to secure a spot on one of these teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Division 1 basketball colleges | 350+ |
| Number of full members of Division I basketball conferences | 355 |
| Number of schools in transition from Division II to Division I | 8 |
| Number of schools in transition from Division III to Division I | 1 |
| Number of Division I member institutions in 2020-21 | 357 |
| Number of schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2020-21 | 130 |
| Number of schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017 | 130 |
| Number of schools in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2020-21 | 127 |
| Number of schools in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2017 | 124 |
| Number of non-football schools in Division I in 2020-21 | 100 |
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What You'll Learn
- Division 1 basketball colleges include the most elite basketball players
- D1 schools are the highest division of intercollegiate athletics
- D1 schools have large budgets and elaborate facilities
- D1 schools have more athletic scholarships than Division II and III
- D1 schools include smaller colleges committed to the highest level of intercollegiate competition
Division 1 basketball colleges include the most elite basketball players
Division 1 (D1) basketball colleges are considered the most elite basketball colleges in the nation. There are over 350 D1 basketball colleges in the US, comprising the most elite basketball players. These colleges operate at the highest level of athletic competition and have well-funded athletic facilities and experienced coaches.
D1 colleges are defined by having varsity basketball teams, and almost all of them field both men's and women's basketball teams. The colleges are spread across 31 Division I basketball conferences, with eight more transitioning from Division II, and one transitioning from Division III. Alaska is the only state without a Division I basketball program.
D1 basketball colleges are extremely competitive, with only about 1% of the nation's 551,000 basketball athletes going on to compete at this level. Athletes competing at D1 colleges are expected to dedicate themselves to the sport year-round, with grueling practice schedules, travel commitments, and rigorous academic demands.
When considering D1 basketball colleges, student-athletes should not limit themselves to only the most elite programs. Instead, they should evaluate various factors, including athletic and academic caliber, school size, location, cost, and personal preferences. It is also worth noting that starting at a junior college or JUCO can be a great stepping stone for athletes uncertain about their desired division level or those looking to improve their skills and academic standing before pursuing a 4-year degree at a D1 college.
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D1 schools are the highest division of intercollegiate athletics
Division 1 (D1) colleges are the highest level of college sports competition in the United States. D1 schools include the major collegiate athletic powers, with large budgets, more elaborate facilities, and more athletic scholarships than Division II and Division III. D1 colleges are also some of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country, with the toughest admissions requirements.
D1 is the highest of the three divisions of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D1 schools include the largest athletic programs and have the biggest budgets. They also offer the most scholarships to student-athletes. D1 athletes are the most competitive and are considered to be among the best collegiate athletes in the nation.
D1 colleges are known for their high level of competition in both athletics and academics. The Ivy League, for example, is known for its ultra-high level of competition in both areas. While the Ivy League does not award academic or athletic scholarships, other D1 schools do. However, not all D1 programs offer scholarship money, and even those that do may not provide it to all athletes.
Being a D1 athlete requires a significant time commitment. Training and practices take up most of the day, leaving little time for other activities like part-time jobs, internships, or vacations. Many D1 athletes stay on campus during the summer to take challenging classes, as they can devote more time to them. D1 athletes must also meet competitive recruiting guidelines and maintain their eligibility through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
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D1 schools have large budgets and elaborate facilities
Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D-I schools include the major collegiate athletic powers, with large budgets, more elaborate facilities, and more athletic scholarships than Division II and Division III. D1 basketball teams typically have the most substantial budgets, the highest level of media exposure, and the largest arenas. The financial investment in D1 basketball programs often allows for greater support services for student-athletes, such as sports medicine and academic assistance.
D1 schools have large budgets because they generate significant revenue for the NCAA. For example, Division I athletic programs generated $8.7 billion in revenue in the 2009-2010 academic year. Men's teams provided 55% of this revenue, women's teams 15%, and 30% was not categorized by sex or sport. Football and men's basketball are usually a university's only profitable sports and are called "revenue sports". The NCAA receives most of its annual revenue from two sources: television and marketing rights for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship and ticket sales for all championships. About 60% of the NCAA's annual revenue, around $600 million, is distributed directly to Division I member schools and conferences, while more than $150 million funds Division I championships.
D1 schools also have larger budgets because they include the major collegiate athletic powers, with more athletic scholarships than Division II and Division III schools. D1 basketball colleges are comprised of the most elite basketball players, and potential recruits should be prepared to work hard on and off the court to land a roster spot. D1 schools typically have state-of-the-art training facilities, larger coaching staffs, and better access to sports science and technology resources. The top D1 programs attract some of the most talented high school recruits in the country, and the overall skill and athleticism of the players in D1 tend to be superior to those in D2.
D1 schools have more elaborate facilities because they can afford to invest in their basketball programs. This investment attracts top-tier athletes and results in a high level of competition. D1 basketball features a highly prominent postseason tournament known as "March Madness," a single-elimination tournament featuring 68 teams competing for the national championship. The competition in D1 basketball is fierce, and many of the most well-known collegiate basketball programs, such as Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina, compete at this level.
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D1 schools have more athletic scholarships than Division II and III
Division 1 (D1) colleges are the most elite basketball programs in the United States, with around 350 colleges competing in the National Intercollegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). D1 schools have the largest athletic budgets and provide more athletic scholarships compared to Division II (D2) and Division III (D3) schools.
D1 colleges are known for their high level of competition and often offer full athletic scholarships to recruit the top student-athletes. The competition for D1 scholarships is intense, and student-athletes must meet rigorous recruiting guidelines and perform at a high level to be considered. While the exact number of D1 athletic scholarships is not readily available, it is known that D1 schools have more scholarships available due to their larger student bodies and athletic funding.
In contrast, D2 schools have smaller student bodies and lower budgets for their athletic departments. While athletic scholarships are still available at D2 schools, there are fewer offered, and partial scholarships are more common. D2 athletes may receive slightly more athletic aid, with 60% of D2 athletes receiving some form of athletic assistance compared to 57% of D1 athletes.
D3 schools, on the other hand, do not offer athletic scholarships. Instead, they provide academic scholarships and financial aid to their athletes. D3 schools focus more on the overall college experience and academics, with athletics being just as important. Approximately 75% of D3 athletes receive some form of financial aid, averaging over $10,000 annually. D3 athletes also have a higher graduation rate than D1 and D2 athletes, with an impressive 87% graduating within four years.
The decision to choose a D1, D2, or D3 school depends on various factors, including the level of competition desired, the balance between athletics and academics, and the availability of scholarships and financial aid. While D1 schools have the most athletic scholarships, D2 and D3 schools offer other benefits that may better suit the needs and preferences of student-athletes.
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D1 schools include smaller colleges committed to the highest level of intercollegiate competition
Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D-I schools include smaller colleges committed to the highest level of intercollegiate competition. There are 350+ Division 1 basketball colleges in the nation, with the exact number varying slightly between sources. These colleges are comprised of the most elite basketball players, and potential recruits should be prepared to work hard on and off the court to secure a roster spot.
D-I schools have the largest athletic budgets and offer more athletic scholarships compared to Division II and Division III schools. They also include the major collegiate athletic powers, with more elaborate facilities. The Ivy League, for example, is considered one of the most competitive D-I groups in terms of both athletics and academics. However, it is important to note that Ivy League schools do not award academic or athletic scholarships, and financial aid is based on needs determined by the financial aid office at each school.
D-I basketball colleges include a mix of large and small schools, with varying athletic and academic calibers, school sizes, locations, and costs. When considering D-I basketball schools, student-athletes should not limit themselves to only the most elite programs but should explore a complete list of colleges and stay up-to-date on rankings. In addition to the 350+ full members, there are also a small number of colleges in transition from Division II and Division III that are members of Division I conferences.
While D-I offers the highest level of intercollegiate competition, other divisions, such as NAIA, may offer a more balanced approach to college life and sports. NAIA schools, with over 60,000 student-athletes, are considered on par with NCAA D-III schools in terms of competitiveness and life/sport balance. Junior colleges (JUCOs) are another option, offering lower tuition and generous scholarship opportunities, while still providing a competitive athletic environment.
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Frequently asked questions
There are more than 350 schools in Division 1 basketball, comprising the most elite basketball players.
Yes, Division 1 (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States.
For the 2020-21 school year, Division 1 contained 357 of the NCAA's 1,066 member institutions.
Division 1 schools have larger budgets, more elaborate facilities, and more athletic scholarships than Division II and Division III schools.
49 states have Division 1 basketball programs. Alaska is the only state without one.
