Top 14 D2 Schools In Texas 2026 Requirements

Posted on Author Barry Philips

Texas is home to a strong collection of colleges and universities competing in NCAA Division II athletics. For student-athletes who want to continue playing competitive sports while earning a college degree, D2 schools can provide an attractive balance between academics, athletics, campus life, and scholarship opportunities.

Unlike NCAA Division I, Division II generally emphasizes a more balanced student-athlete experience, with regional competition and opportunities for partial athletic scholarships. NCAA Division II currently has nearly 300 member institutions nationwide, and Texas remains an important part of the Division II landscape.

If you are searching for the best D2 schools in Texas, this guide provides an overview of the major NCAA Division II institutions in the state, their locations, athletic opportunities, admission considerations, and NCAA eligibility requirements.

Top D2 Schools In Texas

1. Angelo State University

Angelo State University is a public university in San Angelo, Texas, and a member of the Lone Star Conference.

The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs alongside its NCAA Division II athletic programs.

Prospective student-athletes should research the specific sport they intend to play, because roster requirements, recruiting standards and scholarship opportunities vary by team.

Key requirements to consider:

  • Meet Angelo State admission requirements
  • Meet NCAA Division II eligibility requirements
  • Complete the required NCAA core courses
  • Maintain at least a 2.2 NCAA core-course GPA
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Meet the team’s recruiting and athletic standards

2. Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University is a private Christian university located in Dallas, Texas.

DBU competes in NCAA Division II in many sports and is affiliated with the Lone Star Conference, although individual sports can have different conference arrangements.

Students interested in DBU should consider both the university’s academic admission process and the requirements of their intended athletic program.

Key requirements include:

  • Submit the university’s application
  • Meet academic admission standards
  • Submit required academic records
  • Meet NCAA Division II eligibility standards
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if competing in NCAA athletics
  • Communicate with the relevant coaching staff

3. Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock Christian University is a private university in Lubbock, Texas.

The institution provides undergraduate and graduate education and participates in NCAA Division II athletics.

Student-athletes should investigate the specific requirements of their intended sport because athletic recruiting requirements can differ significantly between programs.

Typical requirements include:

  • University admission
  • Required academic records
  • NCAA Eligibility Center registration
  • Completion of 16 NCAA core courses
  • Minimum 2.2 NCAA core-course GPA
  • Athletic evaluation and roster consideration

4. Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The university is part of the Lone Star Conference and offers numerous academic programs alongside Division II athletics.

Students considering Midwestern State should evaluate the academic requirements for their intended degree as well as the athletic expectations of the program they hope to join.

Requirements to consider include:

  • University admission requirements
  • High school transcripts
  • NCAA eligibility certification
  • 16 NCAA-approved core courses
  • Minimum NCAA core-course GPA
  • Sport-specific recruiting standards

5. St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in Austin, Texas.

The university participates in NCAA Division II athletics and provides students with the opportunity to combine college athletics with undergraduate study.

Applicants should review the university’s admission standards and contact the appropriate athletic program regarding recruiting.

Prospective athletes should generally:

  • Apply for admission
  • Provide required academic records
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Complete NCAA core courses
  • Meet the NCAA core-course GPA requirement
  • Meet sport-specific athletic standards

6. St. Mary’s University

St. Mary’s University is located in San Antonio, Texas.

It is a private university with NCAA Division II athletic programs and participates in the Lone Star Conference.

Students interested in St. Mary’s should look at the academic program they want to study alongside the requirements of their intended athletic team.

Important requirements include:

  • Meeting university admission standards
  • Completing required application materials
  • Meeting NCAA Division II eligibility requirements
  • Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Completing 16 qualifying core courses
  • Meeting team-specific recruiting expectations

7. Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University is located in Alpine, Texas.

Sul Ross State is particularly notable because it officially became an active NCAA Division II member in September 2026 after completing its transition from Division III. The university competes in the Lone Star Conference.

This means prospective student-athletes should pay attention to current team and conference information when evaluating Sul Ross State.

Requirements include:

  • University admission
  • NCAA eligibility
  • Required core courses
  • Minimum NCAA core-course GPA
  • NCAA Eligibility Center certification
  • Sport-specific recruiting requirements

8. Texas A&M International University

Texas A&M International University, commonly known as TAMIU, is located in Laredo, Texas.

The university competes in NCAA Division II and offers students an opportunity to pursue academic degrees while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Prospective students should examine both academic admission standards and athletic recruiting requirements.

Students should generally:

  • Apply to TAMIU
  • Meet admission requirements
  • Submit academic documents
  • Complete NCAA requirements
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Meet the standards established by their intended athletic program

9. Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is a public university located in Kingsville, Texas.

It is a member of the Lone Star Conference and has a longstanding presence in Division II athletics.

Students interested in Texas A&M-Kingsville should research their preferred academic program as well as the specific sport they want to compete in.

Requirements may include:

  • Meeting university admission standards
  • Submitting transcripts and other documents
  • Completing 16 NCAA core courses
  • Achieving the required NCAA core-course GPA
  • NCAA Eligibility Center certification
  • Meeting athletic recruiting standards

10. University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin, commonly called UTPB, is located in Odessa, Texas.

UTPB is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Lone Star Conference.

The school offers a variety of academic programs, making it an option for students who want to combine athletics with a particular field of study.

Prospective student-athletes should:

  • Meet UTPB admission requirements
  • Complete NCAA core-course requirements
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Meet the 2.2 minimum NCAA Division II core-course GPA
  • Provide required academic documentation
  • Meet team-specific athletic standards

11. University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas.

UT Tyler is an NCAA Division II institution and competes in the Lone Star Conference.

The university offers a broad range of academic programs, giving prospective student-athletes several options for combining their sporting interests with their educational goals.

Admission and athletic requirements include:

  • University admission
  • Required academic records
  • NCAA Eligibility Center registration
  • 16 NCAA-approved core courses
  • Minimum 2.2 core-course GPA
  • Sport-specific recruiting requirements

12. University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas.

UT Dallas officially became an active NCAA Division II member on September 1, 2026, following its transition from Division III. The university is now part of the Lone Star Conference.

Because of its recent transition, students should pay particular attention to current information about individual sports, schedules, recruiting and postseason eligibility.

Prospective student-athletes should:

  • Meet UT Dallas admission requirements
  • Complete the NCAA eligibility process
  • Meet NCAA core-course requirements
  • Achieve the required core-course GPA
  • Submit necessary academic documents
  • Meet the requirements of the individual athletic program

13. West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is located in Canyon, Texas.

The university is one of the established members of the Lone Star Conference and has a broad selection of academic and athletic programs.

For student-athletes, West Texas A&M can be considered alongside other Texas D2 universities based on sport, academic major, location, cost and available financial aid.

Requirements generally include:

  • Admission to West Texas A&M
  • Completion of required academic documentation
  • NCAA Eligibility Center registration
  • 16 NCAA-approved core courses
  • Minimum 2.2 NCAA core-course GPA
  • Athletic recruiting requirements

14. Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University, located in Denton, Texas, is another Texas institution associated with NCAA Division II athletics.

The university provides academic programs across several fields and offers student-athletes the opportunity to combine college education with competitive athletics.

Prospective applicants should verify current sport offerings and recruiting requirements because athletic opportunities vary by program.

Students should consider:

  • Meeting Texas Woman’s University admission requirements
  • Completing required high school coursework
  • Meeting NCAA Division II eligibility requirements
  • Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Meeting the minimum NCAA core-course GPA
  • Satisfying sport-specific recruiting standards

What Are D2 Schools?

NCAA Division II schools are colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics under the NCAA Division II structure.

D2 athletics can be particularly attractive to students who want to compete at a high level without making athletics the only focus of their college experience.

Many D2 schools offer athletic scholarships, although scholarship amounts and availability vary by institution and sport. Students should also consider academic scholarships, grants, institutional aid and other financial-aid opportunities.

For prospective student-athletes, choosing a D2 school should involve more than looking at the athletic program. Academic programs, tuition, location, campus environment, coaching staff, playing opportunities and financial aid can all affect the decision.

NCAA Division II Requirements

Before looking at individual Texas schools, it is important to understand the basic NCAA eligibility requirements.

Complete 16 NCAA Core Courses

Division II student-athletes must complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses during high school.

The courses include:

  • 3 years of English or native-language courses
  • 2 years of mathematics at Algebra I level or higher
  • 2 years of science
  • 3 additional years of English, mathematics or science
  • 2 years of social science
  • 4 additional core-course years

Not every high school course automatically qualifies as an NCAA core course. Students should therefore check the NCAA-approved course list for their school.

Earn at Least a 2.2 Core-Course GPA

A prospective Division II student-athlete generally needs a minimum 2.2 GPA in NCAA-approved core courses.

This is different from simply looking at the GPA printed on a student’s high school transcript because the NCAA calculates the core-course GPA using qualifying courses.

Register With the NCAA Eligibility Center

Students intending to compete in NCAA athletics should create an NCAA Eligibility Center account and complete the required academic and athletics certification process.

This is especially important for recruited athletes because certification can affect whether a student is permitted to practice, compete and receive athletics-related financial aid.

Submit Your Final Transcript

The NCAA Eligibility Center needs the student’s final official transcript and proof of graduation.

Students should work with their high school counselor and prospective college’s athletics compliance office to make sure all required documents are submitted.

Meet the University’s Admission Requirements

NCAA eligibility and university admission are not exactly the same thing.

A student may satisfy NCAA Division II athletic eligibility requirements but still need to meet the individual university’s admission requirements.

Therefore, prospective students should check both:

  1. NCAA eligibility requirements
  2. The university’s admission requirements

With that foundation in place, here are the major Division II schools in Texas.

How to Choose a D2 School in Texas

Choosing a Division II college should involve more than simply finding a school that offers your sport.

Consider Your Academic Major

Start by identifying schools that offer the degree you want.

For example, a student interested in nursing, business, computer science, education or engineering may have very different priorities from another athlete.

Compare Athletic Opportunities

Not every D2 school offers every sport.

Before applying, confirm that the school offers your sport and that the specific team is actively recruiting players in your position or event.

Research Scholarship Opportunities

Division II schools can provide athletic scholarships, but scholarship amounts vary.

Ask the coaching staff and financial-aid office about:

  • Athletic scholarships
  • Academic scholarships
  • Grants
  • Need-based financial aid
  • Housing assistance
  • Other institutional awards

Consider Location

Texas is enormous, so location can make a major difference.

Think about whether you prefer a large metropolitan area such as Dallas, San Antonio or Austin or a smaller college community such as Alpine, Canyon or Kingsville.

Contact Coaches Early

If you are a serious student-athlete, do not wait until the application deadline to contact coaches.

Prepare an athletic résumé containing:

  • Position or event
  • Height and weight where relevant
  • Athletic statistics
  • Competition history
  • Academic information
  • Awards
  • Highlight videos where appropriate
  • Contact information

Compare Admission and NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Remember that admission and NCAA eligibility are separate processes.

Being admitted to a university does not automatically mean you are eligible to compete in NCAA athletics.

Likewise, satisfying NCAA eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to a particular university.

D2 Schools in Texas Comparison Table

School Location Type NCAA Division Conference
Angelo State University San Angelo Public Division II Lone Star Conference
Dallas Baptist University Dallas Private Division II Lone Star Conference
Lubbock Christian University Lubbock Private Division II Lone Star Conference
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls Public Division II Lone Star Conference
St. Edward’s University Austin Private Division II Lone Star Conference
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Private Division II Lone Star Conference
Sul Ross State University Alpine Public Division II Lone Star Conference
Texas A&M International University Laredo Public Division II Lone Star Conference
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville Public Division II Lone Star Conference
University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa Public Division II Lone Star Conference
University of Texas at Tyler Tyler Public Division II Lone Star Conference
University of Texas at Dallas Richardson Public Division II Lone Star Conference
West Texas A&M University Canyon Public Division II Lone Star Conference
Texas Woman’s University Denton Public Division II Lone Star Conference

Related

Conclusion

Texas provides several opportunities for student-athletes who want to compete in NCAA Division II athletics while pursuing a college education. The state’s D2 institutions include public and private universities in cities ranging from Dallas and Austin to Alpine, Canyon, Kingsville and Laredo.

The right school depends on several factors, including your sport, academic goals, financial situation, location preference and relationship with the coaching staff.

Before committing to a D2 school, prospective student-athletes should confirm the university’s current admission requirements, NCAA eligibility requirements, available sports, recruiting standards and financial-aid opportunities.

Most importantly, begin the NCAA eligibility process early. Completing the required 16 core courses, achieving the minimum 2.2 core-course GPA, registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center and ensuring that your final transcript is properly submitted can help prevent eligibility problems later.

For the 2026–27 academic year, students should also pay attention to changes in Division II membership, particularly schools such as UT Dallas and Sul Ross State, which have recently become active Division II members.

With careful research and early preparation, prospective student-athletes can identify Texas D2 programs that align with both their athletic ambitions and long-term educational goals.