Sports Scholarships

The 10 Easiest Sports to get a Scholarship in 2024

Are you looking for the easiest sports to get a scholarship in 2024? If so, you’re in the right place. With this guide, you’ll learn about 10 different sports that offer scholarships, so you can make an informed decision and find the right one for you.

Women’s Ice Hockey

When it comes to college scholarships, women’s ice hockey is a hot sport. This sport holds many advantages for athletes due to its relatively few teams and competition for spots. For this reason, schools are more likely to fund female hockey players than many other sports. Additionally, the shorter recruiting window in ice hockey makes it attractive for student-athletes as compared to other NCAA sports.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	36	25	18
NCAA D3	67	23	–
ACHA D1	25	N/A	–
ACHA D2	54	N/A	–

View all Women’s Ice Hockey Colleges

Men’s Lacrosse

Men’s lacrosse is a popular collegiate sport in the United States. At the college level, men’s lacrosse is sponsored by NCAA Division I, II and III, as well as many club and university-affiliated teams. The popularity of the sport makes it easier for student athletes to get noticed by coaches and recruiters who may be looking for talented players. As one of the fastest growing sports in America, lacrosse can be an attractive option for those seeking a scholarship.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	73	44	12.6
NCAA D2	61	36	10.8
NCAA D3	236	34	–
NAIA	33	23	12
JUCO	28	24	20

View all Men’s Lacrosse Colleges

Men’s Ice Hockey

Men’s ice hockey is another popular sport for college recruiters and coaches and can be a great way for athletes to earn a scholarship. High schools around the country offer competitive teams in which players can hone their skills. Ice Hockey requires players to have great speed, agility, coordination and strength in order to be successful. With access to elite facilities, dedicated trainers and specialized equipment, NCAA Division I college teams give student athletes the opportunity to play at the highest level of competition.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	60	28	18
NCAA D2	7	31	13.5
NCAA D3	84	29	–
ACHA	390	N/A	–

View all Men’s Ice Hockey Colleges

Women’s Soccer

Women’s soccer offers high scholarships for athletes who excel in the sport. Like other women’s sports, there are typically fewer teams in NCAA competition, which increases the chances of a student athlete receiving an invitation to play on scholarship at a college or university. Female players must demonstrate agility, speed, and athleticism to be considered for most rosters. Additionally, many universities offer full-ride scholarships based on talent and skill level.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	333	28	14
NCAA D2	265	27	9.9
NCAA D3	441	25	–
NAIA	188	25	12
JUCO	181	19	18

View all Women’s Soccer Colleges

Women’s Lacrosse

Women’s lacrosse is a fast-paced, full-contact sport that has seen immense growth in recent years. Lacrosse teams often recruit players with “three dimensional skill sets” – agility, aggression, and the ability to read the field and strategize. Colleges have many scholarship opportunities for female lacrosse players who are willing to work hard and demonstrate their natural talent.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	117	30	12
NCAA D2	114	23	9.9
NCAA D3	293	21	–
NAIA	37	17	12
JUCO	20	17	20

View all Women’s Lacrosse Colleges

Football

Football offers some of the most generous and far-reaching scholarship opportunities of all college sports. Football scholarships range from full-ride to partial, and a large number of colleges across the country field NCAA football teams – meaning more scholarship opportunities for potential players. Football programs also tend to offer incentivized walk-on spots for athletes who are talented but don’t have the grades or test scores to qualify for academic scholarships. Moreover, booming popularity in college football means big-time prospects can play in front of massive crowds – giving them greater visibility for their future professional careers.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
D1 – FBS	129	118	85
D1 – FCS	125	104	63
NCAA D2	170	111	36
NCAA D3	248	104	–
NAIA	85	107	24
JUCO	68	76	85

View all Football Colleges

Women’s Field Hockey

Field hockey is a sport played between two teams of 11 players each. With its exciting pace and intense strategy, women’s field hockey has been gaining traction in the college sporting scene. It requires agility, fitness, and excellent spatial awareness skills to succeed in this competitive sport. Many colleges offer competitive packages for strong female players to help level the playing field and provide aid for their educational costs.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	77	23	12
NCAA D2	36	24	6.3
NCAA D3	168	21	–

View all Women’s Field Hockey Colleges

Baseball

Baseball is a great sport for athletes looking to earn a scholarship. The number of colleges offering baseball programs ensures there are ample opportunities for talented players to receive financial assistance. Often referred to as “America’s pastime,” baseball is not only the highest attended spectator sport, but it also the most popular and profitable college sport. Players who possess power and can hit the long ball have tremendous potential when it comes to earning an athletic scholarship – especially in Division I programs.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	298	35	11.7
NCAA D2	259	39	9
NCAA D3	374	34	–
NAIA	212	38	12
JUCO	511	30	24

View all Baseball Colleges

Men’s Swimming

Men’s swimming is one of the easier college sports to get a scholarship for, and unlike some of its counterparts, rarely requires tryouts. Because swimming is not a team sport, athletes are often judged by their individual performances. This means that hard work, practice and skill can pay off with a much-needed college sports scholarship. Moreover, many colleges award partial swim scholarships in addition to full-ride scholarships – increasing an athlete’s chances of getting funded at the collegiate level.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	143	28	9.9
NCAA D2	58	21	8.1
NCAA D3	200	19	–
NAIA	22	11	8
JUCO	20	13	15

View all Men’s Swimming Colleges

Women’s Swimming

Women’s swimming is also a great way to get a college scholarship. As the fastest growing sport in colleges across the country, more recruiters are searching for talented swimmers. Scholarship opportunities are available for both individual and team events, making it easy to find funded positions that match your skillset. Competitive swim teams offer a combination of scholarship programs, grants and financial aid packages which can give budding athletes the chance to fund their studies through sport.

Division	Number of Teams	Avg. Team Size	Scholarships per Team
NCAA D1	200	28	14
NCAA D2	77	19	8.1
NCAA D3	242	20	–
NAIA	31	11	8
JUCO	21	12	15

View all Women’s Swimming Colleges

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