How Many D3 Football Teams Are There? 2025 Update

By Sarah Miller · June 28, 2031

As of the 2024 season, there are 249 NCAA Division III football teams across the United States, competing in a non-scholarship collegiate football structure that emphasizes academic and athletic balance.

Understanding NCAA Division III Football

NCAA Division III (D3) football is the largest division in terms of number of teams and student-athletes. Unlike Division I and Division II, D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Instead, the focus is on integrating athletics into the overall educational experience, promoting competitive sports at a high level while prioritizing academic achievement.

Key Features of D3 Football

No athletic scholarships allowed
Emphasis on student-athlete academic success
Shorter seasons and limited practice time compared to D1 and D2
National championship determined by a playoff system
High participation rates with over 240 teams nationwide

Distribution of D3 Football Teams by Conference

D3 football programs are organized into numerous athletic conferences, each representing a geographic or institutional alliance. These conferences help manage scheduling, qualify teams for playoffs, and maintain competitive balance.

Conference	Number of Teams	States Represented
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC)	11	ME, MA, VT, CT
Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)	9	OH
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)	9	MI
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC)	8	WI
Centennial Conference	10	PA, MD
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)	12	MN
North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)	10	OH, IN, PA
Southern Athletic Association (SAA)	9	TN, GA, NC, AL
Landmark Conference	7	PA, MD, NJ
USA South Athletic Conference	13	NC, TN, VA, GA, AL
Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC)	8	MA, ME, NY, NJ
American Rivers Conference	9	IA, NE
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC)	10	PA, NY
Empire 8	8	NY
Pacific Northwest Conference (NWC)	10	OR, WA
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)	9	CA
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC)	10	MN, WI, IL
Independents	13	Various

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows significant regional concentration of D3 football programs, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. Conferences like the USA South and UMAC include teams from multiple states, while others remain tightly regional. The presence of 13 independent teams indicates ongoing conference realignment and growth in certain areas.

Growth and Trends in D3 Football

The number of D3 football teams has steadily increased over the past decade due to new programs launching and schools transitioning from NAIA or other divisions. Factors driving this growth include:

Increased emphasis on mental health and balanced college experiences
Lower financial pressure on athletic departments
Strong alumni engagement and campus culture
Expansion of playoff access and national visibility via streaming

In recent years, several institutions have added football as part of broader athletic development plans. For example, schools like Ave Maria University and Penn State Harrisburg have launched D3 football programs since 2020.

How D3 Football Compares to Other Divisions

Division I vs. Division II vs. Division III

D1: Full athletic scholarships, large stadiums, national TV coverage (FBS), playoffs (FCS)
D2: Partial athletic scholarships, regional competition, smaller budgets
D3: No athletic scholarships, highest number of teams, strong academic integration

D3 stands out for its commitment to amateurism and holistic education. While it lacks the media exposure of D1, it offers highly competitive football with over 25,000 student-athletes participating annually.

Frequently Asked Questions About D3 Football Teams

How many Division III football teams are there in 2025?

As of the 2024 season, there are 249 active NCAA Division III football teams. This number may slightly increase in 2025 if new programs are approved by the NCAA.

Which state has the most D3 football teams?

As of 2024, New York and Pennsylvania each host over 30 D3 football programs, making them the states with the highest concentration. Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin also have robust D3 football participation.

Do D3 football players get scholarships?

No, NCAA rules prohibit athletic scholarships in Division III. However, student-athletes can receive academic scholarships, need-based aid, and grants that make attending competitive D3 schools financially accessible.

How does the D3 football playoff system work?

The D3 football playoffs consist of a 32-team tournament selected by a committee. Automatic bids go to conference champions, while at-large bids are awarded based on strength of schedule, win-loss record, and regional rankings. The champion is crowned in early December at the Stagg Bowl.

Can D3 football players go pro?

While rare, some D3 football players have reached the NFL. Notable examples include John Skelton (Fordham) and Will Bartholomew (Vanderbilt, transferred from D3). More commonly, D3 athletes pursue coaching, graduate studies, or careers in business and public service.