US college sport organisations: Comparing the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA

Understanding US college sports organisations

Navigating the world of US college sports can be daunting, as there are different governing bodies and various scholarship opportunities available.

The three main organisations involved in the governing of college sports are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

NCAA and NAIA are governing bodies for four-year college sports in the United States, while the NJCAA is the national governing body for two-year collegiate athletics. You can transfer to one of the four-year programmes provided you perform well. Deciding which organisation and division is best for you depends on several factors, including your athletic abilities, academic goals, and personal preferences.

Here is a breakdown of each association and how to apply.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

The NCAA, founded in 1906, is the largest and most well-known governing body for college sports in the United States and is also the most difficult for international athletes to join. NCAA schools award nearly $3.5 billion in athletic scholarships every year. Athletes need to meet rigorous academic and athletic standards to be considered for a scholarship.

The NCAA represents a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, and baseball. Nearly half a million college athletes make up the 19,886 teams that send more than 57,661 participants to compete each year in the NCAA’s 90 championships in 24 sports across three divisions. The three divisions are Division I, II, and III. Some of the top universities in the world, like UCLA, Duke, Michigan, Stanford, and UNC, all operate under the Division I banner.

Division I schools offer full-ride scholarships, which cover tuition, accommodation and meals, medical insurance, books, and other expenses. Division II schools are typically smaller but still offer highly competitive athletic programmes. Scholarships at the Division II level are also highly competitive. Division III schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, but financial aid is available based on need and academic merit.

How to qualify for the NCAA

International students need to meet the NCAA’s eligibility standards, which include specific academic and amateurism requirements.

Requirements for NCAA Division I and II:

• Graduate from high school
• Complete 16 core courses in high school
• Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses (2.2 GPA for Division II)
• Must be an amateur athlete

For Division III, requirements are set by individual schools, with no standardised test score or Eligibility Centre certification required.

See also: How we help students study and play sports in the USA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Founded in 1937, the NAIA has over 250 member schools across the United States and Canada, representing a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, and soccer. NAIA schools provide more than $800 million in athletic scholarships annually to more than 77,000 student-athletes each year.

While NCAA Divisions I and II are regarded as the pinnacles of US college sports, some NAIA universities and programmes have better sports teams. The NAIA tends to be seen as equivalent to NCAA Division II in terms of size and competitiveness. The organisation is seen as a great platform for local and international students to potentially be recruited into the NCAA. Students also face less stringent academic and athletic requirements as well as lower tuition and housing costs.

Requirements for NAIA

• You must be certified as an amateur by the NAIA Eligibility Centre
• Have a minimum score of 18 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT
• Minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Graduate in the top half of your high school class

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

The NJCAA, founded in 1938, provides athletic opportunities for students at community colleges and junior colleges and has over 500 member schools across the country. International students can compete in a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, and track and field. The NJCAA is an extremely popular choice for student-athletes who aren’t as strong academically, as they accept those with lower GPAs and test scores. Many international students use the NJCAA as a stepping stone to transfer to NCAA or NAIA programmes after gaining exposure and proving their abilities.

See also: How to get a sports scholarship in the USA

Like the NCAA, the NJCAA has three divisions based on school size and athletic competitiveness. Division I comprises larger institutions with highly competitive athletic programmes. Scholarships are available covering tuition, room and board, and other expenses, but they are incredibly competitive. Division II covers slightly smaller schools and offers competitive athletic programmes. Partial scholarships are available to help athletes with a part of their expenses. Division III schools don’t offer athletic scholarships.

Requirements for NJCAA

• A student-athlete must be a graduate of a high school or equivalent
• Must be an amateur
• No SAT/ACT score or minimum GPA from high school requirement

If you want to further your sporting career at a US university, get in contact with one of our sports recruiters who will be happy to chat to you about your options. Fill in our free online evaluation or send us an email at sports@sableinternational.com.