College Track & Field
SpoRecruit Track & Field was founded with the mission of helping talented male and female athletes secure placements at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Since its launch, SpoRecruit has successfully supported hundreds of student-athletes through the academic and athletic scholarship process, enabling over 1,000 track and field athletes to pursue their educational and sporting ambitions abroad. Collegiate track and field in the U.S. provides a competitive and well-organized environment, where student-athletes balance their studies with rigorous training and meets under the NCAA and other collegiate athletic associations. With access to elite coaching, world-class facilities, and opportunities to compete against top talent, college track and field can serve as a pathway to national teams and professional careers. Beyond athletics, the experience promotes personal growth, resilience, and lasting connections—both on and off the track.
U.S track and field scholarship
A U.S. track and field scholarship is a financial award given to student-athletes based on their athletic talent and academic performance to help them attend a college or university in the United States. These scholarships can range from partial to full coverage of tuition and related costs and are granted at the discretion of college or university coaches. Receiving a track and field scholarship allows you to pursue your education while competing in the sport at a high level. This means you can work toward a degree in your chosen field while also training and participating in competitions that resemble the standards of professional athletics.
Number of Men’s outdoor Track & Field Scholarships by Division Level
Around 1,000 colleges sponsor men’s track and field programs. Below is a breakdown of how these teams are distributed across the major collegiate divisions.
Division Level | Number of Schools | Max of Scholarships | Average Roster Size |
NCAA Division 1 | 289 | 12.6 | 39 |
NCAA Division 2 | 225 | 12.6 | 34 |
NCAA Division 3 | 325 | N/A | 33 |
NAIA | 186 | 12 | 26 |
NJCAA | 96 | 20 | 17 |
Number of Women’s outdoor Track & Field Scholarships by Division Level
Around 1,020 colleges sponsor women’s track and field programs. Below is a breakdown of how these teams are distributed across the major collegiate divisions.
Division Level | Number of Schools | Max of Scholarships | Average Roster Size |
NCAA Division 1 | 289 | 12.6 | 39 |
NCAA Division 2 | 225 | 12.6 | 34 |
NCAA Division 3 | 325 | N/A | 33 |
NAIA | 186 | 12 | 26 |
NJCAA | 96 | 20 | 17 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines how much scholarship I get in the USA?
The value of your scholarship will be influenced by several factors, including your track and field performance, academic record, and the coach’s available budget for the season. That said, our role is to help you find an American university that aligns with both your goals and abilities. For instance, if a university’s total cost is $50,000 per year and you receive a $35,000 scholarship offer from the coach, that would be considered a partial scholarship, meaning you’d be responsible for covering the remaining $15,000. Many partial scholarships also offer the possibility of being increased—if you excel athletically and academically, coaches often have the option to boost your award in future years.
Can I receive a full 100% track and field scholarship in the USA?
A track and field scholarship can significantly reduce—or even fully cover—the expenses tied to earning a university degree. In exchange, student-athletes are expected to compete for their college team and maintain solid academic standing. The scholarship amount is primarily determined by what the college coach is willing and able to offer. A full or 100% scholarship, often referred to as a “full ride,” includes tuition, housing, meals, and textbooks, with the student responsible only for minimal personal expenses. Such scholarships can be worth as much as $400,000 over a four-year period. At SpoRecruit, approximately one in four of our student-athletes secures a full scholarship.
How much can a track and field scholarship be worth?
Scholarships can range from partial to full scholarships. A full-ride scholarship can cover up to 100% of college costs—including tuition, room, board, and books—and may be worth up to $400,000 over four years.
What are coaches looking for in scholarship applicants?
Coaches evaluate event-specific performance standards, athletic potential, academic records, and character. They may also look at video footage, competition results, and how well the athlete fits their team’s needs.
Can an athlete go on to become a professional after graduating from University?
Yes, many of the world’s top track and field athletes began their journeys on athletic scholarships at American colleges and universities before reaching international success. For example, during the Beijing Olympics, 41 athletes from the University of Southern California and the University of California – Berkeley competed, while Stanford University had 46 of its athletes chasing medals. In total, NCAA scholarship athletes brought home more than 44 Olympic medals from those Games.