25/26 College football (four-year schools) by the numbers

[shizzle787]

Included below are the number of four-year institutions that have a football program in 25/26.

Teams are only counted for the highest division/organization they are a member of by the following hierarchy:

FBS
FCS
Division 2
Division 3
NAIA
Independent

USCAA and NCCAA do not sponsor football.

So without further ado:

Total: 763

NCAA: 668

Division 1: 265
FBS: 136
FCS: 129

Division 2: 161

Division 3: 242


NAIA: 94

Independent: 1 (Lincoln in California)

 

[ZooCougar]

FBS is too big. The split is coming. Power football will be invite only soon.

 

[ScottVib]

I still think they'll do any divisional split (either internal to or external from the NCAA) as an "opt-in" but set requirements so onerous that without P2/M2 level revenue its impossible to opt-in responsibly (i.e. a SMU could have boosters meet the requirements for a few years, but... if those boosters get tired of cutting checks, then suddenly the schools ability to meet those commitments are in jeopardy)

I'd expect them to set requirements about how many/what sports are required to be fully funded (i.e. if you don't fully fund football you choose not to meet the requirements for the new top-level), commitments on spending on athletes, etc. It gives them to the out to any potential parties of "we're not excluding your school, we just want to ensure a level playing field; you can join if you are willing to meet the requirements."