How Many College Football Teams Are There?
According to the National Football Foundation, as of 2023 there are 772 four-year colleges and universities offering football programs across the NCAA Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA, and independent schools.
Breaking this down further, the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) consists of 134 teams as of 2024. The Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) has 128 teams. In total, across all division levels, there are approximately 858 college football teams.
So in summary, while the exact number can fluctuate year-to-year, as of 2024 there are around 772-858 college football teams in the United States, with 134 of those competing at the highest level in the NCAA Division I FBS.
Want to know more? Here is a further breakdown to help you understand.
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College Football Divisions
College football in the United States is divided into several divisions and subdivisions based on the size of the schools, the level of competition, and the resources available to the programs. Here’s a breakdown of the different divisions:
- NCAA Division I: This is the highest level of college football. It is further divided into two subdivisions:
- Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS): Formerly known as Division I-A, the FBS consists of the largest and most competitive schools. There are 124 schools in the FBS, and they are allowed to offer up to 85 full scholarships to players.
- Football Championship Subdivision (FCS): Formerly known as Division I-AA, the FCS comprises schools that compete in a smaller playoff system. FCS schools are allowed to offer up to 63 full scholarships.
- NCAA Division II: This division includes smaller schools that offer fewer scholarships than Division I schools. Division II schools can offer up to 36 full scholarships for football.
- NCAA Division III: This division consists of the smallest schools in the NCAA. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and the focus is more on academics and the overall student-athlete experience.
In addition to the NCAA divisions, there are also football programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which is a separate organization from the NCAA, and some schools compete as independents, unaffiliated with any conference or division.