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The structure of the college game
Competitions.
Explore the national pyramid by level, then open a division to see its conferences and programs.
United States · Men
Competition pyramid
Reference guide
United States college soccer
College soccer is organized through separate associations. Their divisions and membership structures are not a single promotion pyramid.
Associations
Explore the systems
NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association- Institution type
- Four-year colleges and universities
- Structure
- Three competitive divisions; school membership and athlete eligibility differ by division.
NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics- Institution type
- Primarily four-year colleges and universities
- Structure
- A separate collegiate association with its own membership and eligibility rules.
NJCAANational Junior College Athletic Association- Institution type
- Two-year colleges
- Structure
- Organized by division and region; many student-athletes later transfer to four-year schools.
3C2ACalifornia Community College Athletic Association- Institution type
- California community colleges
- Structure
- California community-college competition, organized by conferences and regions.
NCCAANational Christian College Athletic Association- Institution type
- Member colleges and universities; institution types vary
- Structure
- An association serving Christian colleges, with competitions and membership set by its own rules.
USCAAUnited States Collegiate Athletic Association- Institution type
- Two-year and four-year institutions
- Structure
- Provides national competition for smaller colleges and universities.
NWACNorthwest Athletic Conference- Institution type
- Two-year colleges
- Structure
- A regional collegiate association serving programs in the Pacific Northwest.
ACCAAssociation of Christian College Athletics- Institution type
- Member colleges; institution types vary
- Structure
- An association for Christian college athletics. Competition structure can vary by sport.
NCAA eligibility
Eligibility depends on the athlete’s academic record, amateur status and applicable division rules. Confirm requirements with the school and the NCAA Eligibility Center.
School type and eligibility
Association membership does not determine an individual athlete’s eligibility. Two-year, four-year and mixed-membership systems have different transfer and participation rules. Use each association’s current guidance and confirm details with the institution.