Introduction
Welcome to my comprehensive guide, where I not only recommend the finest colleges in the USA for soccer scholarships but also take into account both men's and women's soccer programs. Moreover, I will provide region-specific recommendations to ensure a wide range of options for you to consider. Whether you're a male or female athlete, regardless of your location, I've got you covered. My objective is to assist you in finding the ideal college that aligns with your soccer aspirations and offers outstanding scholarship opportunities. So, let's begin our exploration of the top colleges for soccer scholarships, customized to meet your individual needs and preferences
Types of soccer scholarship in USA
In the United States, soccer and football scholarships are available at various levels, providing valuable opportunities for talented athletes. These categories include:
NCAA Division I
This level of competition offers the highest caliber of soccer and football programs. Division I schools are typically large universities with well-established athletic programs. Student-athletes who receive scholarships at this level demonstrate exceptional skills and achievements. Scholarships can cover expenses such as tuition, room and board, and other educational costs.
NCAA Division II
Division II institutions also offer soccer and football scholarships, providing a slightly lower level of competition compared to Division I. These programs strike a balance between academics and athletics, allowing student-athletes to excel in both areas. Scholarships at this level can cover a significant portion, if not all, of a student-athlete's educational expenses.
NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) also offers soccer and football scholarships. NAIA schools prioritize both athletic prowess and character development. They often have smaller class sizes, fostering a more personalized academic experience. Scholarships provided by NAIA institutions play a crucial role in easing the financial burden of college expenses for student-athletes.
NJCAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) offers soccer and football scholarships at the junior college level. Junior colleges, or community colleges, act as a stepping stone for student-athletes to refine their skills and academic qualifications before transferring to a four-year college or university. NJCAA scholarships can assist with tuition, books, and other educational expenses.
Comparison of Men's Soccer Scholarship Levels and Statistics in USA
Scholarship Level | Description | Competition Level | Expenses Covered | Number of Schools (Approx.) | Maximum Scholarship per Scholar (Approx.) | Average Roster Size |
NCAA Division I | Highest level of competition. | High | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 203 | 9.9 | 31.7 |
NCAA Division II | Slightly lower competition than Division I. | Moderate | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 210 | 9 | 36 |
NCAA Division III | Emphasizes a balance between academics and athletics. | Moderate | Varies by institution | 413 | N/A | 32.2 |
NAIA | Emphasizes athletic and character development. | Moderate | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 202 | 12 | 30 |
JUCO | Scholarships at junior colleges. | Moderate | Tuition, books, educational expenses | 246 | 24 | 19 |
Comparison of Women's Soccer Scholarship Levels and Statistics in USA
Scholarship Level | Description | Competition Level | Expenses Covered | Number of Schools (Approx.) | Maximum Scholarship per Scholar (Approx.) | Average Roster Size |
NCAA Division I | Highest level of competition. | High | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 333 | Varies by institution | 28.7 |
NCAA Division II | Slightly lower competition than Division I. | Moderate | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 307 | Varies by institution | 29.4 |
NCAA Division III | Emphasizes a balance between academics and athletics. | Moderate | Varies by institution | 442 | N/A | 26.9 |
NAIA | Emphasizes athletic and character development. | Moderate | Tuition, room and board, educational costs | 198 | 12 | 26.3 |
JUCO | Scholarships at junior colleges. | Moderate | Tuition, books, educational expenses | 228 | 24 | 20.1 |
Please note that the maximum scholarship per scholar can still vary significantly among different institutions within each category. The scholarship limits and amounts are determined by factors such as the budget of the athletic department, the number of players on the team, and the specific policies of each institution.
NCAA Division-I, best colleges for soccer scholarships:
Best colleges for men's soccer scholarships:
- Stanford University
- Georgetown University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Indiana University
- University of Virginia
- Wake Forest University
- University of Maryland
- University of Notre Dame
- Duke University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Best colleges for women's soccer scholarships:
- Stanford University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Virginia
- University of Florida
- University of Michigan
- University of Connecticut
- University of Maryland
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Notre Dame
NCAA Division II:
Best colleges for men's soccer scholarships:
- Barry University
- Grand Valley State University
- Mercyhurst University
- Rollins College
- Seattle Pacific University
- University of California, San Diego
- University of Central Missouri
- West Chester University
- Western Washington University
- Young Harris College
Best colleges for women's soccer scholarships:
- Barry University
- Grand Valley State University
- Mercyhurst University
- Rollins College
- Seattle Pacific University
- University of California, San Diego
- University of Central Missouri
- West Chester University
- Western Washington University
- Young Harris College
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics):
Best colleges for men's soccer scholarships:
- Columbia College
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Martin Methodist College
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Spring Arbor University
- University of Northwestern Ohio
- Westmont College
- William Carey University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- University of Mobile
Best colleges for women's soccer scholarships:
- Columbia College
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Martin Methodist College
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Spring Arbor University
- University of Northwestern Ohio
- Westmont College
- William Carey University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- University of Mobile
Junior College (JUCO):
Best colleges for men's soccer scholarships:
- East Mississippi Community College
- Blinn College
- Butler Community College
- Hutchinson Community College
- Iowa Western Community College
- Navarro College
- Snow College
- Tyler Junior College
- Yavapai College
- Monroe College
Best colleges for women's soccer scholarships:
- East Mississippi Community College
- Blinn College
- Butler Community College
- Hutchinson Community College
- Iowa Western Community College
- Navarro College
- Snow College
- Tyler Junior College
- Yavapai College
- Monroe College
Best colleges for soccer scholarships in the region of the USA
Northeast Region:
- University of Maryland (Maryland)
- Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)
- University of Connecticut (Connecticut)
Midwest Region:
- Michigan State University (Michigan)
- Indiana University (Indiana)
- University of Notre Dame (Indiana)
South Region:
- University of Virginia (Virginia)
- University of Florida (Florida)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (North Carolina)
Southwest Region:
- University of Texas at Austin (Texas)
- University of New Mexico (New Mexico)
- University of Arizona (Arizona)
West Region:
- Stanford University (California)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (California)
- University of Washington (Washington)
Best colleges for soccer scholarships in the state of the USA
Alabama:
- University of Alabama (Men's and Women's)
- Auburn University (Men's and Women's)
Alaska:
- University of Alaska Anchorage (Men's and Women's)
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (Men's and Women's)
Arizona:
- University of Arizona (Men's and Women's)
- Arizona State University (Men's and Women's)
Arkansas:
- University of Arkansas (Men's and Women's)
- University of Central Arkansas (Men's and Women's)
California:
- Stanford University (Men's and Women's)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (Men's and Women's)
- University of Southern California (USC) (Men's and Women's)
Colorado:
- University of Colorado Boulder (Men's and Women's)
- University of Denver (Men's and Women's)
Connecticut:
- University of Connecticut (Men's and Women's)
- Yale University (Men's and Women's)
Delaware:
- University of Delaware (Men's and Women's)
- Delaware State University (Men's and Women's)
Florida:
- University of Florida (Women's)
- University of Miami (Men's and Women's)
- Florida State University (Women's)
Georgia:
- University of Georgia (Men's and Women's)
- Georgia State University (Men's and Women's)
Hawaii:
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (Men's and Women's)
Idaho:
- Boise State University (Men's and Women's)
- University of Idaho (Men's and Women's)
Illinois:
- Northwestern University (Men's and Women's)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Men's and Women's)
Indiana:
- Indiana University (Men's)
- University of Notre Dame (Men's and Women's)
Iowa:
- University of Iowa (Men's and Women's)
- Iowa State University (Men's and Women's)
Kansas:
- University of Kansas (Men's and Women's)
- Kansas State University (Men's and Women's)
Kentucky:
- University of Kentucky (Men's and Women's)
- University of Louisville (Men's and Women's)
Louisiana:
- Louisiana State University (LSU) (Men's and Women's)
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Men's and Women's)
Maine:
- University of Maine (Men's and Women's)
- Bates College (Men's and Women's)
Maryland:
- University of Maryland (Men's and Women's)
- Johns Hopkins University (Men's and Women's)
Massachusetts:
- Boston College (Men's and Women's)
- Harvard University (Men's and Women's)
Michigan:
- Michigan State University (Men's)
- University of Michigan (Men's and Women's)
Minnesota:
- University of Minnesota (Men's and Women's)
- University of Minnesota Duluth (Men's and Women's)
Mississippi:
- University of Mississippi (Men's and Women's)
- Mississippi State University (Men's and Women's)
Missouri:
- University of Missouri (Men's and Women's)
- University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) (Men's and Women's)
Montana:
- University of Montana (Men's and Women's)
- Montana State University (Men's and Women's)
Nebraska:
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Men's and Women's)
- Creighton University (Men's and Women's)
Nevada:
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) (Men's and Women's)
- University of Nevada, Reno (Men's and Women's)
New Hampshire:
- University of New Hampshire (Men's and Women's)
- Dartmouth College (Men's and Women's)
New Jersey:
- Rutgers University (Men's and Women's)
- Princeton University (Men's and Women's)
New Mexico:
- University of New Mexico (Men's)
- New Mexico State University (Men's and Women's)
New York:
- Syracuse University (Men's and Women's)
- Columbia University (Men's and Women's)
North Carolina:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Men's and Women's)
- Duke University (Men's and Women's)
North Dakota:
- University of North Dakota (Men's and Women's)
- North Dakota State University (Men's and Women's)
Ohio:
- Ohio State University (Men's and Women's)
- University of Cincinnati (Men's and Women's)
Oklahoma:
- University of Oklahoma (Men's and Women's)
- University of Tulsa (Men's and Women's)
Oregon:
- University of Oregon (Men's and Women's)
- Oregon State University (Men's and Women's)
Pennsylvania:
- University of Pennsylvania (Men's and Women's)
- Penn State University (Men's and Women's)
Rhode Island:
- Brown University (Men's and Women's)
- Providence College (Men's and Women's)
South Carolina:
- University of South Carolina (Men's and Women's)
- Clemson University (Men's and Women's)
South Dakota:
- University of South Dakota (Men's and Women's)
- South Dakota State University (Men's and Women's)
Tennessee:
- University of Tennessee (Men's and Women's)
- University of Memphis (Men's and Women's)
Texas:
- University of Texas at Austin (Men's)
- Texas A&M University (Men's and Women's)
- University of Houston (Men's and Women's)
Utah:
- Brigham Young University (BYU) (Men's and Women's)
- University of Utah (Men's and Women's)
Vermont:
- University of Vermont (Men's and Women's)
- Middlebury College (Men's and Women's)
Virginia:
- University of Virginia (Men's and Women's)
- Virginia Tech (Men's and Women's)
Washington:
- University of Washington (Men's and Women's)
- Washington State University (Men's and Women's)
West Virginia:
- West Virginia University (Men's and Women's)
- Marshall University (Men's and Women's)
Wisconsin:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Men's and Women's)
- Marquette University (Men's and Women's)
Wyoming:
- University of Wyoming (Men's and Women's)
- Wyoming Catholic College (Men's and Women's)