Barry PhilipsIf you are a student-athlete looking for D1 schools in Texas, you have plenty of options to consider. Texas is home to a large collection of NCAA Division I universities competing across major conferences and different levels of Division I athletics.
Division I represents the highest level of NCAA intercollegiate athletics, and Texas has programs ranging from major FBS universities to FCS programs. For prospective student-athletes, choosing a D1 school involves more than athletic ability. You also need to consider academic admission requirements, NCAA eligibility, available sports, scholarships, location, tuition and the school’s recruiting process.
This guide highlights D1 schools in Texas and explains the general requirements you should understand before applying or pursuing recruitment.
D1 Schools in Texas
1. University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest Division I athletic programs in Texas. The Longhorns compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
General requirements: Prospective students must meet UT Austin’s undergraduate admission requirements in addition to NCAA requirements if they intend to compete in Division I athletics.
Student-athletes should also work with the university’s athletics department and compliance staff to understand recruiting and eligibility procedures.
2. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University in College Station has a major Division I athletics program and competes in the SEC.
General requirements: Applicants must satisfy Texas A&M’s undergraduate admission standards. Student-athletes must separately satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements and complete the required Eligibility Center process.
3. Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock and competes in the Big 12 Conference.
General requirements: Prospective students must meet Texas Tech’s academic admission requirements. Athletes must also satisfy NCAA Division I eligibility standards before competing.
4. Baylor University
Baylor University is a private university in Waco and competes in the Big 12 Conference.
General requirements: Applicants need to meet Baylor’s undergraduate admission requirements. Recruited athletes must also meet NCAA academic and athletics eligibility standards.
5. Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University, commonly known as TCU, is located in Fort Worth and competes in the Big 12.
General requirements: Applicants must satisfy TCU’s admission requirements. Student-athletes also need NCAA certification before competing.
6. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is located in Dallas and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
General requirements: Students must satisfy SMU’s admission standards. Athletic recruits must additionally complete the applicable NCAA eligibility process.
7. University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Division I institution competing in the Big 12 Conference.
General requirements: Applicants need to meet the university’s academic admission requirements. Student-athletes must also meet NCAA Division I standards.
8. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is located in Denton and competes in the American Athletic Conference.
General requirements: Students must meet UNT admission requirements, while athletes must separately satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements.
9. University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a Division I university in San Antonio and competes in the American Athletic Conference.
General requirements: Prospective students need to meet UTSA’s admission requirements. Athletes must also satisfy NCAA Division I eligibility standards.
10. Texas State University
Texas State University is located in San Marcos and competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
General requirements: Students must qualify for admission to Texas State. Student-athletes must also meet NCAA Division I academic and athletics requirements.
11. Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville and competes in Conference USA.
General requirements: Applicants must meet the university’s admission requirements. Athletes must additionally meet NCAA eligibility standards.
12. Rice University
Rice University is a private university in Houston and competes in the American Athletic Conference.
General requirements: Rice has its own undergraduate admission process and academic expectations. Recruited athletes must also satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements.
13. University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is located in El Paso and competes in Conference USA.
General requirements: Students must satisfy UTEP’s admission requirements and prospective athletes must meet NCAA Division I eligibility standards.
14. University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) competes in Division I athletics and is based in Arlington.
General requirements: Applicants must satisfy UTA’s admission requirements. Student-athletes must also complete the applicable NCAA eligibility process.
15. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is located on the Texas Gulf Coast and competes in the Southland Conference.
General requirements: Applicants must meet university admission requirements and athletes must meet NCAA Division I eligibility standards.
16. Lamar University
Lamar University is located in Beaumont and competes in the Southland Conference.
General requirements: Students must meet Lamar’s admission requirements. Student-athletes must also satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements.
17. Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches and competes in the Southland Conference.
General requirements: Applicants must meet SFA admission standards. Athletes must also satisfy NCAA Division I academic and athletics requirements.
18. Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university in Abilene and competes in Division I athletics.
General requirements: Students must satisfy ACU’s undergraduate admission requirements. Student-athletes must also be certified under NCAA eligibility rules.
19. Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is located in Houston and competes in the Southland Conference.
General requirements: Applicants must meet the university’s admission standards and student-athletes must meet NCAA Division I eligibility requirements.
20. Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is an HBCU located in Houston and competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
General requirements: Applicants must satisfy Texas Southern’s admission requirements. Athletes must also satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements before competing.
21. Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is an HBCU located in Prairie View, Texas, and competes in the SWAC.
General requirements: Students must qualify for university admission and student-athletes must separately satisfy NCAA Division I eligibility requirements.
22. Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville and competes in Division I athletics.
General requirements: Applicants must meet Tarleton State’s admission requirements, while athletes must also satisfy NCAA eligibility standards.
23. East Texas A&M University
East Texas A&M University is located in Commerce and competes in Division I athletics.
General requirements: Students must meet the university’s admission requirements. Athletes must also complete the NCAA eligibility process and satisfy Division I academic standards.
24. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is located in South Texas and competes in Division I athletics.
General requirements: Applicants need to satisfy UTRGV admission requirements. Student-athletes must also satisfy NCAA eligibility requirements.
25. University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is a private university in San Antonio and competes in Division I athletics.
General requirements: Applicants must meet UIW’s admission standards. Athletes must additionally satisfy NCAA Division I eligibility requirements.
What Does D1 Mean?
NCAA Division I is the highest division of college athletics in the United States. Division I institutions generally have extensive athletic programs, significant athletic resources and opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level.
D1 schools can compete in different subdivisions depending on the sport. For football, for example, programs may compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) or Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
However, being admitted to a university and being eligible to compete for its athletic team are two different things. A student-athlete must satisfy the university’s admission requirements and applicable NCAA eligibility requirements.
General D1 Requirements for Student-Athletes
Before looking at individual schools, it is important to understand the NCAA requirements.
1. Complete 16 NCAA-Approved Core Courses
Division I student-athletes must complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses during high school.
The standard distribution includes:
- 4 years of English or another approved language course
- 3 years of mathematics at Algebra I level or higher
- 2 years of science
- 1 additional year of English, mathematics or science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 additional years from approved academic areas
Not every high school class automatically counts as an NCAA core course, so prospective athletes should check their school’s approved course list.
2. Meet the 10/7 Requirement
Division I athletes must complete 10 of their 16 core courses before the beginning of their seventh semester of high school.
Seven of those 10 courses must be in English, mathematics or science.
This makes it important for student-athletes to plan their high-school schedules early rather than waiting until their senior year.
3. Earn at Least a 2.3 Core-Course GPA
The NCAA Division I minimum core-course GPA is 2.3.
This is different from your overall high-school GPA because the NCAA calculates the core-course GPA using qualifying NCAA-approved courses.
Meeting the NCAA minimum does not necessarily mean you will meet a particular university’s admission requirements. Some universities and academic programs may expect significantly higher academic performance.
4. Register With the NCAA Eligibility Center
Students who want to compete at an NCAA Division I school need to complete the appropriate NCAA Eligibility Center process.
The Eligibility Center reviews academic records and athletics-related information before determining whether a student meets the applicable initial eligibility requirements.
5. Submit Your Final Transcript and Proof of Graduation
Your high school must provide the appropriate academic documentation, including your final official transcript and proof of graduation.
Students should keep track of their Eligibility Center account and respond to any outstanding document requests.
6. Meet the University’s Admission Requirements
NCAA eligibility is not the same as university admission.
A student could satisfy NCAA academic requirements but still fail to qualify for admission to a particular university.
You therefore need to satisfy both:
- NCAA eligibility requirements
- The university’s admission requirements
Some universities may also have different requirements depending on your intended major.
Academic Requirements vs Athletic Requirements
One of the biggest mistakes prospective student-athletes make is assuming that being a good athlete automatically guarantees admission.
There are actually several requirements to consider.
University Admission
The university determines whether you qualify academically for admission.
Factors may include:
- High-school grades
- Required courses
- Class rank
- Test scores where applicable
- Application essays
- Extracurricular activities
- Intended major
- Other institutional requirements
Requirements vary considerably among universities.
NCAA Eligibility
The NCAA determines whether you satisfy its requirements to participate in Division I athletics.
These include the 16 core courses, core-course GPA, 10/7 requirement, academic records and other eligibility information.
Athletic Recruitment
A coach or athletics program determines whether your athletic profile fits its recruiting needs.
This can involve:
- Athletic statistics
- Competition level
- Game film
- Position or event
- Physical measurements
- Awards
- Athletic development
- Communication with coaches
- Recruiting evaluations
Meeting NCAA requirements does not guarantee recruitment.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Recruited
Build a Strong Athletic Profile
Keep records of your performances, statistics, awards and major competitions.
A properly organized athletic résumé can make it easier for coaches to understand your experience.
Create Quality Highlight Videos
For sports where video is relevant, create a concise highlight video showing your abilities.
Include your name, position or event, graduation year and contact information.
Maintain Good Academic Performance
Do not focus exclusively on sports.
Strong academic performance can help you remain eligible and expand your university options.
Contact Coaches Early
Research schools that offer your sport and contact the appropriate coaching staff.
Your communication should be professional and include relevant athletic and academic information.
Understand Your Sport’s Recruiting Calendar
Recruiting rules and timelines can vary by sport. Prospective athletes should learn when coaches can contact them and when different recruiting activities are permitted.
Keep Your NCAA Eligibility Center Information Updated
Make sure your academic history, sports information and required documentation are accurate and complete.
Comparison Table: D1 Schools in Texas
| # | D1 School | City | Conference | General Athletic Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | SEC | FBS |
| 2 | Texas A&M University | College Station | SEC | FBS |
| 3 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Big 12 | FBS |
| 4 | Baylor University | Waco | Big 12 | FBS |
| 5 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Big 12 | FBS |
| 6 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | ACC | FBS |
| 7 | University of Houston | Houston | Big 12 | FBS |
| 8 | University of North Texas | Denton | AAC | FBS |
| 9 | UT San Antonio | San Antonio | AAC | FBS |
| 10 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Sun Belt | FBS |
| 11 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | C-USA | FBS |
| 12 | Rice University | Houston | AAC | FBS |
| 13 | UT El Paso | El Paso | C-USA | FBS |
| 14 | UT Arlington | Arlington | WAC | D1 |
| 15 | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Southland | D1 |
| 16 | Lamar University | Beaumont | Southland | D1-FCS |
| 17 | Stephen F. Austin State | Nacogdoches | Southland | D1-FCS |
| 18 | Abilene Christian University | Abilene | WAC | D1-FCS |
| 19 | Houston Christian University | Houston | Southland | D1-FCS |
| 20 | Texas Southern University | Houston | SWAC | D1-FCS |
| 21 | Prairie View A&M | Prairie View | SWAC | D1-FCS |
| 22 | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | WAC | D1-FCS |
| 23 | East Texas A&M University | Commerce | Southland | D1-FCS |
| 24 | UT Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | Southland | D1-FCS |
| 25 | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Southland | D1-FCS |
Frequently Asked Questions About D1 Schools in Texas
How many D1 schools are in Texas?
Texas currently has 25 NCAA Division I programs.
What GPA do you need to play D1 sports?
The NCAA Division I minimum core-course GPA is 2.3. However, individual universities and academic programs may have higher admission standards.
Do all D1 schools offer athletic scholarships?
Division I schools can provide athletics-related financial aid, but the amount and availability can differ by school, sport and individual circumstances.
Can an international student play D1 sports in Texas?
Yes. International student-athletes can compete at NCAA Division I universities, but they must satisfy the applicable NCAA eligibility requirements as well as the university’s admission and immigration requirements.
Can you get into a D1 school without being recruited?
Admission to a university and recruitment to its athletic team are separate processes. You may be academically admitted without being recruited, but competing for the school’s team requires meeting the applicable athletic eligibility and team requirements.
Is a 2.3 GPA enough to get into a D1 university?
Not necessarily. A 2.3 core-course GPA is an NCAA eligibility minimum, not a guarantee of university admission. Individual universities may have considerably different academic admission standards.
Related
Conclusion
Texas offers a wide range of NCAA Division I opportunities for student-athletes. From major FBS programs such as the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech to FCS programs and other Division I institutions, prospective athletes have numerous schools to research.
However, choosing a D1 school should involve more than looking at the athletic program. Prospective student-athletes should compare academic requirements, available majors, athletic opportunities, recruiting expectations, financial aid, location and overall college fit.
Most importantly, start preparing early. Complete the appropriate NCAA-approved core courses, maintain a strong academic record, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, build your athletic profile and communicate professionally with coaches.
With proper academic and athletic preparation, prospective student-athletes can approach the Texas Division I recruiting process with a much clearer understanding of what is required.