Skip to main content

NCAA Division III Colleges

50 schools. See our methodology.

MIT commands the highest post-graduation earnings among Division III colleges at $143,372 annually, yet maintains a net price of just $19,813 through generous financial aid. This academic tier spans 407 institutions with graduation rates from 72.1% to 96.6%, showing remarkable consistency in student success. The price diversity tells a compelling story: CUNY Baruch operates at $2,978 net cost while Babson College reaches $38,876, both delivering strong career outcomes. California's tech corridor claims Caltech with its ultra-selective 2.7% acceptance rate, while New York's maritime programs at SUNY and the Merchant Marine Academy prepare graduates for specialized shipping and logistics careers earning over $90,000. These schools feed directly into America's most competitive industries, from Wall Street finance to Silicon Valley engineering. The data reveals geographic clustering around major economic centers, with New England liberal arts colleges like Williams and Bowdoin maintaining their historic strength in producing leaders across business and government sectors.
50
Schools
$24,265
Avg. Net Price
$83,343
Avg. Earnings
84.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

NCAA Division III Colleges

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 4,571 $19,813 96.1% 4.0%
2 1,023 $18,902 93.2% 2.7%
3 947 $7,506 80.6% 27.4%
4 2,696 $38,876 92.4% 22.4%
5 7,187 $31,671 92.5% 11.3%
6 1,379 $27,384 95.2% 10.4%
7 7,540 $18,967 94.9% 5.4%
8 2,060 $14,852 96.6% 8.5%
9 1,884 $23,911 94.9% 17.0%
10 1,242 $21,781 74.9% 80.3%
11 15,734 $2,978 72.1% 49.5%
12 7,897 $22,117 94.4% 11.8%
13 1,846 $20,786 95.6% 9.2%
14 6,804 $35,435 93.3% 9.7%
15 1,627 $18,686 94.1% 6.9%
16 4,084 $40,468 89.9% 46.2%
17 1,638 $19,424 93.2% 7.0%
18 1,907 $18,246 93.4% 7.3%
19 2,282 $23,939 90.2% 7.6%
20 7,275 $23,911 91.8% 11.4%
21 888 $21,185 61.4% 57.7%
22 29,430 $35,035 88.5% 12.5%
23 17,812 $16,607 74.5% 46.9%
24 2,045 $28,314 91.3% 11.8%
25 6,831 $25,458 85.2% 64.4%
26 2,785 $25,934 92.6% 12.7%
27 1,421 $25,210 89.4% 14.2%
28 6,108 $38,909 87.0% 27.4%
29 1,270 $26,661 79.1% 89.4%
30 2,973 $27,888 91.6% 14.4%
31 2,019 $27,320 91.2% 16.6%
32 5,344 $43,273 88.4% 57.5%
33 1,753 $30,703 90.6% 13.7%
34 16,642 $2,446 61.0% 47.9%
35 2,193 $35,009 82.8% 36.1%
36 2,430 $38,182 89.1% 18.7%
37 3,855 $18,021 72.1% 74.9%
38 5,896 $19,951 68.2% 59.8%
39 6,022 $18,481 68.9% 58.3%
40 2,386 $25,727 74.2% 54.4%
41 1,705 $15,608 87.5% 10.8%
42 2,070 $36,000 85.3% 46.5%
43 2,518 $23,650 81.9% 30.5%
44 5,909 $33,139 83.2% 64.5%
45 4,664 $20,360 71.9% 70.5%
46 7,187 $19,407 67.6% 73.9%
47 1,191 $31,663 83.2% 18.4%
48 2,139 $31,678 86.0% 16.3%
49 10,443 $2,943 56.6% 54.5%
50 4,820 $18,833 70.2% 72.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Division III colleges different from other NCAA divisions?

Division III schools prohibit athletic scholarships, focusing purely on academic merit and need-based aid. These 407 institutions emphasize the student-athlete experience without the pressure of athletic revenue generation. Students compete for love of sport while pursuing rigorous academics, with graduation rates averaging well above 80% across the division.

How do Division III graduates perform in the job market?

Division III alumni earn between $75,971 and $143,372 annually, with MIT leading at the highest figure. The strong liberal arts foundation and research opportunities create versatile graduates. Specialized programs like maritime academies produce immediate career placement, while traditional colleges build networks that benefit long-term earning potential.

Is Division III more affordable than other college divisions?

Net prices range from $2,978 at CUNY Baruch to $40,468 at the highest-cost institutions. Many elite Division III schools offer substantial financial aid, with University of Chicago and MIT maintaining net costs under $20,000 despite their selectivity. Public options provide strong value for in-state students seeking quality education.

Does Division III admission favor academics over athletics?

Acceptance rates span from Caltech's ultra-selective 2.7% to SUNY Maritime's accessible 80.3%, reflecting pure academic standards. Athletic ability may influence admission at the margins, but academic credentials drive decisions. The 96.6% graduation rate at Williams College demonstrates the academic preparedness of admitted students.

Where are the strongest Division III programs located?

New England dominates the top tier with MIT, Williams, Bowdoin, and Tufts. California contributes Caltech and Claremont McKenna for specialized excellence. The Northeast corridor from Boston to New York houses multiple top-15 institutions, benefiting from proximity to major employers and research opportunities in finance, technology, and academia.

What career paths do Division III graduates typically pursue?

Technical programs like MIT and Caltech feed engineering and research roles earning $128,000-$143,000 annually. Business-focused schools like Babson place graduates in finance and consulting. Liberal arts colleges produce leaders across sectors, while maritime academies create specialized shipping and logistics professionals earning over $90,000 in niche industries.

NCAA Division III Colleges by State

California (11) Connecticut (9) Georgia (6) Iowa (10) Illinois (20) Indiana (8) Kentucky (5) Massachusetts (36) Maryland (8) Maine (11) Michigan (7) Minnesota (17) North Carolina (9) New Hampshire (5) New Jersey (15) New York (59) Ohio (22) Oregon (5) Pennsylvania (58) Texas (15) Virginia (17) Wisconsin (23)

Related

Cheapest College Programs Best Value Programs All College Rankings

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.