NCAA Division III independent schools are four-year institutions that compete in college athletics at the NCAA Division III level, but do not belong to an established athletic conference for a particular sport. These schools may however still compete as members of an athletic conference in other sports. A school may also be fully independent, and not belong to any athletic conference for any sport at all. The reason for independent status varies among institutions, but it is frequently because the school's primary athletic conference does not sponsor a particular sport.
Full independents
Departing members are highlighted in pink.
Current members
Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Football? | Future primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asbury University | Wilmore, Kentucky | 1890 | Christian | 1,054 | Eagles | 2021 | No | Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) (in 2024) |
Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, Wisconsin | 1968 | Baptist | 1,169 | Sabercats | 2013 | No | None |
Trinity Washington University[lower-alpha 1] | Washington, D.C. | 1897 | Catholic (SNDdeN) |
2,100 | Tigers | 2007; 2015[lower-alpha 2] |
No | None |
- Notes
Former members
- Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Part of the State University of New York system.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
- 1 2 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
- ↑ Cairn was known as Philadelphia Biblical University during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2012.
- 1 2 3 Part of the Vermont State Colleges System.
- 1 2 3 Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
- ↑ Clarks Summit was known as Baptist Bible College & Seminary during its stint as a member. The school name was changed to Summit University of Pennsylvania in 2015, and to Clarks Summit University in 2016.
- ↑ Dallas initially left the independents after the 2007–08 school year to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference in some sports, including basketball. However, they rejoined after two years.
- ↑ Finlandia participated in the Great South Athletic Conference from the 2013–14 to 2015–16 school years, but only in women's sports. Men's sports remained independent during those school years.
- 1 2 3 4 Currently an NAIA athletic conference.
- 1 2 Part of the University of Maine System.
- ↑ Maine–Presque Isle was also a dual member with the NAIA and the Sunrise Athletic Conference from 2005 to its folding in 2011.
- ↑ Mills initially left the independents after the 2012–13 school year to join the Great South Athletic Conference, however, they rejoined after three years due to the GSAC folding.
- ↑ Mills was acquired by Northeastern University in 2023, becoming part of that university's extended operations in the San Francisco Bay Area. In advance of this, Mills dropped athletics after the 2021–22 school year.
- ↑ MUW initially discontinued its athletics program after the 2002–03 school year, however, they restored it before the 2017–18 school year.
- ↑ Mount Mary initially left the independents after the 2014–15 school year to join the Great South Athletic Conference, however, they rejoined after one year due to the GSAC folding.
- 1 2 Nebraska Wesleyan was also a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1969–70 to 2015–16, therefore it held dual membership with the NAIA and the NCAA.
- ↑ New Rochelle was also a dual member with the USCAA and the HVIAC from 2005 to 2019.
- ↑ New Rochelle merged into Mercy College after the 2018–19 school year.
- 1 2 The NYU engineering school was the standalone Polytechnic University while in the NEAC. Polytechnic became affiliated with New York University (NYU) in 2008 as the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (athletically known as NYU Poly), and merged completely into NYU in 2014. And as part of the final merger of NYU Poly with NYU, Poly's athletics program was merged into that of NYU.
- 1 2 3 This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (William Peace since 2012–13, Pine Manor since 2014–15 and Saint Elizabeth since 2016–17).
- ↑ Pine Manor initially left the independents after the 2014–15 school year to join the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, however, they later rejoined after the 2015–16 school year.
- ↑ Pine Manor was acquired by Boston College in 2021.
- ↑ Saint Elizabeth (N.J.) was known as The College of Saint Elizabeth during its stint as a member.
- ↑ Stevenson was known as Villa Julie College during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2007.
- ↑ Part of the University of California system.
- ↑ UC Santa Cruz participated in the Great South Athletic Conference during the 2015–16 school year, but only in women's sports. Men's sports remained independent during that school year.
- ↑ William Peace was known as Peace College during its stint as a member. It adopted its current name in 2011.
Football
Departing members are highlighted in pink.
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference | Future conference in sport |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hilbert College | Hawks | Hamburg, New York | 1957 | Private | 1,100 | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) | Empire 8 (2024) |
Lyon College | Scots | Batesville, Arkansas | 1872 | Presbyterian (PCUSA) |
700 | SLIAC | Southern (SCAC) (2024) |
Field hockey
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meredith College† | Avenging Angels | Raleigh, North Carolina | 1891 | Private | 1,990 | USA South |
Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
† - Women's college, therefore not competing in men's sports.
Golf
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christopher Newport University | Captains | Newport News, Virginia | 1961 | Public | 5,186 | Coast to Coast |
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire | Blugolds | Eau Claire | 1916 | Public | 10,043 | WIAC |
Women
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christopher Newport University | Captains | Newport News, Virginia | 1961 | Public | 5,186 | Coast to Coast |
Mount Mary University† | Blue Angels | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 1913 | Private | 1,209 | Coast to Coast |
University of Hartford | Hawks | West Hartford, Connecticut | 1877 | Private | 6,792 | Commonwealth Coast |
† - Women's college, therefore not competing in men's sports.
Ice hockey
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albertus Magnus College | Falcons | New Haven, Connecticut | 1925 | Private | 1,961 | GNAC |
Anna Maria College | Amcats | Paxton, Massachusetts | 1946 | Private | 1,500 | GNAC |
Rivier University | Raiders | Nashua, New Hampshire | 1933 | Private | 2,520 | GNAC |
State University of New York at Canton | Roos | Canton, New York | 1906 | Public | 3,205 | NAC |
Women
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anna Maria College | Amcats | Paxton, Massachusetts | 1946 | Private | 1,500 | GNAC |
Hilbert College | Hawks | Hamburg, New York | 1957 | Private (Catholic) |
1,100 | AMCC |
Rivier University | Raiders | Nashua, New Hampshire | 1933 | Private | 2,520 | GNAC |
Worcester State University | Lancers | Worcester, Massachusetts | 1874 | Public | 5,724 | MASCAC |
Lacrosse
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whittier College | Poets | Whittier, California | 1887 | Private | 1,540 | SCIAC |
Rowing
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gordon College | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | Commonwealth Coast |
Nazareth College | Golden Flyers | Pittsford, New York | 1924 | Private | 3,140 | Empire 8 |
Swimming & diving
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coe College[lower-alpha 1] | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
Gordon College[lower-alpha 2] | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | Commonwealth Coast |
Johns Hopkins University | Blue Jays | Baltimore, Maryland | 1876 | Private | 20,174 | Centennial |
Loras College[lower-alpha 1] | Duhawks | Dubuque, Iowa | 1839 | Private | 1,550 | American Rivers |
Luther College[lower-alpha 1] | Norse | Decorah, Iowa | 1861 | Lutheran | 2,573 | American Rivers |
Nebraska Wesleyan University[lower-alpha 1] | Prairie Wolves | Lincoln, Nebraska | 1887 | Private | 1,600 | American Rivers |
Simpson College[lower-alpha 1] | Storm | Indianola, Iowa | 1860 | Private | 1,966 | American Rivers |
Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
Women
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coe College[lower-alpha 1] | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
Gordon College[lower-alpha 2] | Fighting Scots | Wenham, Massachusetts | 1889 | Private | 2,109 | Commonwealth Coast |
Johns Hopkins University | Blue Jays | Baltimore, Maryland | 1876 | Private | 20,174 | Centennial |
Loras College[lower-alpha 1] | Duhawks | Dubuque, Iowa | 1839 | Private | 1,550 | American Rivers |
Luther College[lower-alpha 1] | Norse | Decorah, Iowa | 1861 | Lutheran | 2,573 | American Rivers |
Nebraska Wesleyan University[lower-alpha 1] | Prairie Wolves | Lincoln, Nebraska | 1887 | Private | 1,600 | American Rivers |
Simpson College[lower-alpha 1] | Storm | Indianola, Iowa | 1860 | Private | 1,966 | American Rivers |
Southern Virginia University | Knights | Buena Vista, Virginia | 1867 | Private | 1,106 | USA South |
† - Women's college, therefore not competing in men's sports.
- Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Coe College, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Simpson College compete in an invitational held by the American Rivers Conference but it is not an official sport sponsored by the conference so the colleges are functional independents.
- 1 2 Gordon College compete in the New England Intercollegiate Swimming & Diving Association Championship which is not recognized by the NCAA therefore these colleges are considered independents.
Tennis
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cairn University | Highlanders | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | 1913 | Private | 2,200 | UEC |
State University of New York at Oswego | Lakers | Oswego, New York | 1861 | Public | 8,909 | SUNYAC |
Track & field (indoor)
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alfred State College | Pioneers | Alfred, New York | 1908 | Private | 3,500 | AMCC |
Gwynedd Mercy University | Griffins | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Private | 2,017 | Atlantic East |
Immaculata University | Mighty Macs | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | 1940 | Private | 1,043 | Atlantic East |
Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
McMurry University | War Hawks | Abilene, Texas | 1923 | Private | 1,430 | ASC |
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | Commonwealth Coast |
Women
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alfred State College | Pioneers | Alfred, New York | 1908 | Private | 3,500 | AMCC |
Gwynedd Mercy University | Griffins | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Private | 2,017 | Atlantic East |
Immaculata University | Mighty Macs | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | 1940 | Private | 1,043 | Atlantic East |
Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
McMurry University | War Hawks | Abilene, Texas | 1923 | Private | 1,430 | ASC |
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | Commonwealth Coast |
Track & field (outdoor)
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wentworth Institute of Technology[lower-alpha 1] | Leopards | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904 | Private | 3,728 | Commonwealth Coast |
- Notes
- ↑ Wentworth Institute of Technology competes in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship which is not recognized as a varsity sport by the conference thus Wentworth Tech is considered an independent.
Volleyball (indoor)
Men
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pratt Institute | Cannoneers | Brooklyn, New York | 1877 | Private | 4,829 | Coast to Coast |
University of California, Santa Cruz | Banana Slugs | Santa Cruz, California | 1965 | Public | 19,700 | Coast to Coast |
Wrestling
Emerging sports for women
Acrobatics & tumbling
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Texas Baptist University | Tigers | Marshall, Texas | 1912 | Private | 1,714 | ASC |
University of Mary Hardin–Baylor | Crusaders | Belton, Texas | 1845 | Private | 2,713 | ASC |
Rugby
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colby-Sawyer College | Chargers | New London, New Hampshire | 1837 | Private | 1,043 | GNAC |
Marywood University | Pacers | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Private | 2,470 | Atlantic East |
Norwich University | Cadets | Northfield, Vermont | 1819 | Military | 2,300 | GNAC |
University of New England | Nor'easters | Biddeford, Maine | 1831 | Private | 8,085 | Commonwealth Coast |
Triathlon
Institution | Team | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central College | Dutch | Pella, Iowa | 1853 | Private | 1,575 | American Rivers |
Coe College | Kohawks | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 1851 | Private | 1,355 | American Rivers |
Millikin University | Big Blue | Decatur, Illinois | 1901 | Private | 2,118 | CCIW |
North Central College | Cardinals | Naperville, Illinois | 1861 | Private | 2,490 | CCIW |