How Many D1 Football Schools Are There? (2025 Update)

By Emma Wilson · January 5, 2030

As of the 2025 college football season, there are 133 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, which represent the highest level of college football in the United States. This number includes all full members of the FBS, though additional schools are transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and will join in the coming years.

Understanding NCAA Division I Football Structure

The NCAA divides its member institutions into three divisions based on program size, funding, and competition level. Within Division I, football is further split into two subdivisions:

FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): The top tier, featuring larger programs, bowl games, and the College Football Playoff.
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): Features a playoff system to determine its national champion and generally has smaller athletic budgets.

When people ask "how many D1 football schools are there," they typically mean FBS programs, as these receive the most media coverage and compete for major national titles.

Current Landscape of D1 FBS Football Programs

The number of FBS schools has grown steadily due to conference realignment and reclassification efforts by ambitious athletic departments. As of July 2025, the NCAA officially recognizes 133 full FBS members. This count reflects recent transitions, including schools like James Madison, Sam Houston State, and Sacramento State moving up from FCS.

Key Conferences in the FBS

The 133 FBS schools are organized into conferences that govern scheduling, championships, and revenue sharing. The Power Five conferences dominate national attention:

ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Big Ten Conference
Big 12 Conference
Pac-12 Conference (in transition with multiple departures)
SEC (Southeastern Conference)

In addition, there are several Group of Five and independent programs:

American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Conference USA (C-USA)
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Mountain West Conference (MWC)
Sun Belt Conference
Notre Dame, UConn, and UMass as independents

Detailed Breakdown of FBS Schools by Conference (2025 Season)

Conference	Number of Teams	Notable Members	Transitioning Schools (2024–2025)
ACC	17	Clemson, Florida State, Miami	California, Stanford, SMU (joined 2024)
Big Ten	18	Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State	USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington (joined 2024)
SEC	16	Alabama, Georgia, LSU	Oregon, Washington (joining 2025)
Big 12	16	Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas State	Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah (joined 2024)
Pac-12	2	Oregon State, Washington State	Most members departed; future uncertain
American Athletic	14	Memphis, Tulane, UAB	Army joining in 2025
Mountain West	12	Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State	None
Sun Belt	14	Appalachian State, South Alabama, Troy	James Madison fully eligible in 2025
Mid-American (MAC)	12	Western Michigan, Toledo, Northern Illinois	None
Independents	3	Notre Dame, UConn, UMass	UMass transitioning to MAC in 2025
Total	133	-	-

Table data source:NCAA Official Website, Sports Reference CFB

The data shows significant realignment activity, particularly with the Pac-12 shrinking to just two members and expansion in the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. The total of 133 FBS teams reflects both growth and structural shifts across college athletics.

Conferences are adapting to media rights deals and geographic alignment, leading to unprecedented changes in traditional rivalries and competitive balance. The rise of super-conferences signals a new era in college football governance and revenue distribution.

About FCS and Other D1 Football Programs

While FBS gets the spotlight, there are currently 129 schools competing in the FCS. These programs offer scholarships but are limited to 63 per team (vs. 85 in FBS) and participate in a 24-team playoff tournament. When combining FBS and FCS, the total number of NCAA Division I football-playing institutions exceeds 260.

However, the term "D1 football school" in popular usage almost always refers to FBS members due to their visibility, television contracts, and national championship access.

Frequently Asked Questions About D1 Football Schools

How many D1 football schools are in the FBS?

As of the 2025 season, there are 133 schools in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football.

Which conference has the most D1 football teams?

The Big Ten and SEC are tied for the most teams in 2025, each with 18 member schools sponsoring football, following major expansion moves.

Are there any new schools moving to D1 football soon?

Yes, several schools are in transition: Austin Peay and Western Kentucky are moving from FCS to FBS, joining Conference USA. Additionally, some Division II programs have announced intentions to reclassify in the next five years.

What’s the difference between FBS and FCS?

FBS schools can award up to 85 full scholarships and play in bowl games, while FCS allows 63 scholarship equivalents and determines its champion through a playoff system. FBS also has higher attendance requirements and more extensive media exposure.

Why did the Pac-12 lose so many schools?

The Pac-12 lost ten of its twelve members between 2022 and 2024 due to significantly lower media rights revenue compared to other Power Five conferences. Most joined the Big Ten or Big 12, leaving only Oregon State and Washington State, who plan to rebuild the conference with new partners.