How Many Division 1 Football Schools Are There? (2025)

By Sarah Miller · March 6, 2027

As of the 2025 college football season, there are 133 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, which represents the highest level of college football in the United States.

Understanding NCAA Division I Football

The NCAA divides its member institutions into divisions based on program size, funding, and competition level. Division I is the top tier, and within it, football programs are further classified into two subdivisions: the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Key Differences Between FBS and FCS

FBS: Largest schools, higher budgets, scholarship limits of 85 full scholarships, postseason determined by bowl games and a playoff system.
FCS: Slightly smaller programs, scholarship limit of 63 equivalency scholarships, crowns its champion via a multi-team playoff tournament.

How Many Division I Football Schools Are There?

When people ask "how many Division I football schools are there," they typically mean FBS teams. However, the full count includes both FBS and FCS programs.

Subdivision	Number of Teams	Conference Count	Scholarship Limit
FBS	133	11	85 (full rides)
FCS	129	14	63 (equivalency)
Total Division I	262	25	Varies

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that while FBS has more visibility due to larger stadiums and TV exposure, FCS comprises nearly half of all Division I football programs. The number of FBS schools increased from 130 to 133 between 2023 and 2025 due to conference realignment and reclassifications, including new members such as Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State.

Recent Changes in Division I Football

Conference realignment has significantly impacted the landscape of Division I football in recent years. Major shifts include:

Expansion of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten with additions like Oklahoma, Texas, UCLA, and USC.
Reclassification of several former FCS programs to FBS, including UTSA, Liberty, and Western Kentucky.
Formation of new scheduling agreements and media rights deals boosting FBS program growth.

Geographic Distribution of FBS Programs

FBS schools are spread across 40 U.S. states, with Texas leading the nation in total programs (12), followed by California (10) and Florida (9). This concentration reflects population size, athletic investment, and high school talent pipelines.

About Division I Football: Common Questions

How many FBS football teams are there in 2025?

There are 133 FBS football teams in the 2025 season. This number includes all full members of the 11 FBS conferences, including recent additions from the FCS level.

What is the difference between FBS and FCS football?

FBS is the highest level of college football, offering up to 85 full scholarships and using a bowl-based postseason. FCS allows 63 scholarship equivalents and determines its champion through a 24-team playoff sanctioned by the NCAA.

Which schools recently moved to FBS?

In 2023–2024, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston State, and Southern Miss joined FBS. Additionally, future transitions are expected from schools like UAB and Georgia State, though they are already competing at the FBS level.

Does every state have a Division I football program?

No, not every state hosts a Division I football program. States without any FBS or FCS teams include Alaska, Hawaii (has FBS Hawaii but no other teams), Delaware, Maine, Vermont, and Wyoming (has FBS Wyoming). Smaller states often lack the infrastructure or enrollment base for Division I athletics.

Is the number of Division I football schools increasing?

Yes, the number of FBS schools has grown from 130 in 2022 to 133 in 2025 due to conference expansion and reclassification. While growth is slow, the trend favors gradual increases driven by media revenue and competitive realignment.