Complete List of NCAA Division 2 Colleges

Is your student interested in a school that provides a competitive sports program and a top-tier education? NCAA Division 2 (D2) schools are a great option. D2 colleges are typically smaller than D1 schools, but they can still be some of the best schools for student-athletes. 

Some student-athletes have the talent to compete at the D1 level, yet they choose to play a sport like D2 football, D2 basketball, or D2 baseball because it’s a better fit athletically, academically, or socially. Currently, there are 288 D2 schools across 47 states in the U.S. and its territories. This includes Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

D2 Colleges and Scholarships

Most D2 schools offer sports scholarships, but it’s important to note that your student-athlete might be less likely to get a full-ride sports scholarship at a D2 school. However, D2 schools provide reduced tuition costs and financial aid options. This means your student-athlete could end up with a financial package that is equal to or better than what D1 schools can offer.  

It’s important to note that D2 colleges don’t feature head count sports, which are sports that bring in revenue for a school. 

Discover more about athletic scholarships at D2 colleges. 

NCAA D2 School Recruiting and Eligibility Rules

All D2 student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. This is where the NCAA determines eligibility based on your student-athlete’s grades and amateurism status. In addition to NCAA eligibility rules, D2 school coaches must follow specific rules when reaching out to new recruits.  

For example, coaches can only call players or communicate with them off-campus after June 15 of their sophomore year. However, if your student-athlete calls or visits a coach first, that coach can communicate with them freely. Learn about NCAA D2 school recruiting rules.

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Best D2 Schools

NCSA Power Rankings analyzed hundreds of D2 schools based on NCSA Favorites data, U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges data, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. View our NCAA D2 school rankings to see which school is the best fit for your student-athlete. 

NCAA D2 Colleges List

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