NCAA Division III independent schools
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NCAA Division III independent schools are four-year institutions that compete in college athletics at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III level, but do not belong to an established intercollegiate athletic conference for a particular sport. These schools may however still compete as members of an athletic conference in other sports. A school may also be fully independent, and not belong to any athletic conference for any sport at all. The reason for independent status varies among institutions, but it is frequently because the school's primary athletic conference does not sponsor a particular sport.
Full independents
Division III was created in 1973, at a time when the NCAA included dozens of independent members, plus members of conferences who played as independents in one or more sports. The trend toward consolidating the NCAA membership into conferences began in the late 1970s, and within a decade the number of independent programs declined dramatically. The lists below include only the small number of programs still functioning on an independent basis in recent years.
Current members
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined[a] | Football? | Future primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, Wisconsin | 1968 | Baptist | 1,169 | Sabercats | 2013 | No | None |
- Notes
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
Sports
Men's sponsored sports by school
| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross country |
Soccer | Volleyball | Total sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maranatha Baptist | 5 |
Women's sponsored sports by school
| School | Basketball | Cross country |
Soccer | Softball | Volleyball | Total sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maranatha Baptist | 5 |
Former members
- Notes
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
- Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
- Abbreviation for football.
- Part of the State University of New York system.
- This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
- Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
- Bryn Athyn discontinued its athletics program after the 2024–25 school year.
- Cairn was known as Philadelphia Biblical University during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2012.
- Part of the Vermont State Colleges System.
- Castleton was merged into Vermont State University in 2023, assuming the former's membership in the Little East Conference.
- Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
- Formerly known as Baptist Bible College & Seminary until 2015, and later known as Summit University of Pennsylvania until 2016.
- Later achieved provisional member status in the NCAA Division III ranks during the 1998–99 school year, and then full (active) member status in 2003–04.
- Sub-affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth.
- Dallas initially left the independent ranks after the 2007–08 school year to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) in some sports, including basketball. However, they rejoined after two years.
- Also known as the State of University of New York at Farmingdale.
- Finlandia participated in the Great South Athletic Conference from the 2013-14 to 2015-16 school years, but only in women's sports. Men's sports remained independent during those school years.
- Part of the University of Maine System.
- Maine–Presque Isle was also a dual member with the NAIA and the Sunrise Athletic Conference from 2005 to its folding in 2011.
- Mills initially left the independent ranks after the 2012–13 school year to join the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC); however, they rejoined after three years due to the GSAC folding.
- Mills was acquired by Northeastern University in 2023, becoming part of that university's extended operations in the San Francisco Bay Area. In advance of this, Mills dropped athletics after the 2021–22 school year.
- MUW initially discontinued its athletics program after the 2002-03 school year; however, they restored it before the 2017–18 school year.
- Mount Mary initially left the independent ranks after the 2014–15 school year to join the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC); however, they rejoined after one year due to the GSAC folding.
- The campus mailing address is Cincinnati.
- Nebraska Wesleyan was also a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1969–70 to 2015–16, therefore it held dual membership with the NAIA and the NCAA after 1981–82.
- NJCU merged with Kean University in 2026, becoming Kean Jersey City.
- New Rochelle was also a dual member with the USCAA and the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) from 2005–06 to 2018–19.
- New Rochelle merged into Mercy College after the 2018–19 school year.
- The NYU engineering school was the standalone Polytechnic University while in the NEAC. Polytechnic became affiliated with New York University (NYU) in 2008 as the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (athletically known as NYU Poly), and merged completely into NYU in 2014. As part of the final merger of NYU Poly with NYU, Poly's athletics program was merged into that of NYU.
- Northern Vermont was merged into Vermont State University in 2023, assuming the former's membership in the North Atlantic Conference.
- This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (William Peace since 2012–13, Pine Manor from 2014–15 to 2019–20, and Saint Elizabeth since 2016–17).
- Pine Manor initially left the independent ranks after the 1994–95 school year to join the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), which would later joined the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) in 2012–13; however, they rejoined after four seasons due to the GSAC folding.
- Pine Manor was acquired by Boston College in 2021.
- Saint Elizabeth (N.J.) was known as The College of Saint Elizabeth during its stint as a member.
- Savannah A&D had sponsored men's or women's basketball until after the 2008–09 school year.
- St. Joseph's Brooklyn was known as St. Joseph's College during its stint as a member. St. Joseph's was also a dual member with the USCAA and the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) three years after joining that association in 2004.
- Stevenson was known as Villa Julie College during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2007.
- Also known as the State of University of New York at Stony Brook.
- Trinity Washington left the Independent ranks after the 2011–12 school year; before rejoining in 2015–16.
- Part of the University of California system.
- UC Santa Cruz participated in the Great South Athletic Conference during the 2015-16 school year, but only in women's sports. Men's sports remained independent during that school year.
- William Peace was known as Peace College during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2011.
Acrobatics & tumbling
Elevated from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program to full championship status in January 2026; first NCAA championship to be held in spring 2027.
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Texas Baptist University | Tigers | Marshall, Texas | 1912 | Private | 1,714 | ASC |
| University of Mary Hardin–Baylor | Crusaders | Belton, Texas | 1845 | Private | 2,713 | ASC |
Football
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone College | Giants | La Plume, Pennsylvania | 1868 | Private | 1,600 | United East |
Field hockey
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith College† | Avenging Angels | Raleigh, North Carolina | 1891 | Private | 1,990 | USA South |
| Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
† - Women's college, therefore not competing in men's sports.
Golf
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Newport University | Captains | Newport News, Virginia | 1961 | Public | 5,186 | Coast to Coast |
| University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire | Blugolds | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 1916 | Public | 10,043 | WIAC |
Women
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Newport University | Captains | Newport News, Virginia | 1961 | Public | 5,186 | Coast to Coast |
Ice hockey
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Joined | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram College | Terriers | Hiram, Ohio | 1850 | Disciples of Christ | 1,271 | 2025 | Presidents' |
Women
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Joined | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram College | Terriers | Hiram, Ohio | 1850 | Disciples of Christ | 1,271 | 2026 | Presidents' |
Lacrosse
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier College | Poets | Whittier, California | 1887 | Private | 1,540 | SCIAC |
Rowing
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon College | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | CNE |
| Nazareth University | Golden Flyers | Pittsford, New York | 1924 | Private | 3,140 | Empire 8 |
Swimming & diving
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coe College[a] | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
| Gordon College[b] | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | CNE |
| Johns Hopkins University | Blue Jays | Baltimore, Maryland | 1876 | Private | 20,174 | Centennial |
| Loras College[a] | Duhawks | Dubuque, Iowa | 1839 | Private | 1,550 | American Rivers |
| Luther College[a] | Norse | Decorah, Iowa | 1861 | Lutheran | 2,573 | American Rivers |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University[a] | Prairie Wolves | Lincoln, Nebraska | 1887 | Private | 1,600 | American Rivers |
| Simpson College[a] | Storm | Indianola, Iowa | 1860 | Private | 1,966 | American Rivers |
| Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
Women
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coe College[a] | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
| Gordon College[b] | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | CNE |
| Johns Hopkins University | Blue Jays | Baltimore, Maryland | 1876 | Private | 20,174 | Centennial |
| Loras College[a] | Duhawks | Dubuque, Iowa | 1839 | Private | 1,550 | American Rivers |
| Luther College[a] | Norse | Decorah, Iowa | 1861 | Lutheran | 2,573 | American Rivers |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University[a] | Prairie Wolves | Lincoln, Nebraska | 1887 | Private | 1,600 | American Rivers |
| Simpson College[a] | Storm | Indianola, Iowa | 1860 | Private | 1,966 | American Rivers |
| Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
- Notes
- Coe College, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Simpson College compete in an invitational held by the American Rivers Conference but it is not an official sport sponsored by the conference so the colleges are functional independents.
- Gordon College compete in the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association Championship which is not recognized by the NCAA, therefore these colleges are considered independents.
Track & field (indoor)
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Griffins | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Private | 2,017 | Atlantic East |
| Immaculata University | Mighty Macs | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | 1940 | Private | 1,043 | Atlantic East |
| Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
| McMurry University | War Hawks | Abilene, Texas | 1923 | Private | 1,430 | ASC |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | CNE |
Women
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Griffins | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Private | 2,017 | Atlantic East |
| Immaculata University | Mighty Macs | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | 1940 | Private | 1,043 | Atlantic East |
| Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
| McMurry University | War Hawks | Abilene, Texas | 1923 | Private | 1,430 | ASC |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | CNE |
Track & field (outdoor)
Men
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wentworth Institute of Technology[a] | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | CNE |
- Notes
- Wentworth Institute of Technology competes in the Conference of New England Championship which is not recognized as a varsity sport by the conference, thus Wentworth Tech is considered an independent.
Volleyball (indoor)
Men
Current for the next NCAA men's volleyball season in spring 2027.
Wrestling
Men
Emerging sports for women
Rugby
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby-Sawyer College | Chargers | New London, New Hampshire | 1837 | Private | 1,043 | GNAC |
| Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
| Norwich University | Cadets | Northfield, Vermont | 1819 | Military | 2,300 | GNAC |
| University of New England | Nor'easters | Biddeford, Maine | 1831 | Private | 8,085 | CNE |
Triathlon
| Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central College | Dutch | Pella, Iowa | 1853 | Private | 1,575 | American Rivers |
| Coe College | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
| Millikin University | Big Blue | Decatur, Illinois | 1901 | Private | 2,118 | CCIW |
| North Central College | Cardinals | Naperville, Illinois | 1861 | Private | 2,490 | CCIW |