NCAA Colleges &
Conferences
Your complete guide to NCAA athletic programs, the Power 4 landscape, and what international student-athletes need to know about competing at American universities.
2025-26 Conference Landscape
The Power 4 conferences are now settled after major realignment. The Big Ten has 18 teams including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. The SEC has 16 teams with Texas and Oklahoma. The Big 12 expanded to 16 with Arizona schools, Colorado, and Utah. The ACC added Stanford, Cal, and SMU. The Pac-12 is rebuilding for 2026-27 with Gonzaga and Mountain West schools.
Division Overview
Understanding the three competitive levels of NCAA athletics
Division I
Highest Level- Full athletic scholarships available
- March Madness & national TV exposure
- Top-tier facilities & coaching
- Professional pathway opportunities
Division II
Balanced- Partial athletic scholarships
- Better academic/athletic balance
- Smaller class sizes
- More personal attention
Division III
Academic Focus- Academic scholarships & financial aid
- Elite liberal arts colleges
- True student-athlete experience
- Strong career preparation
Power 4 Conferences
The top tier of NCAA Division I athletics with the best resources, TV exposure, and scholarship opportunities
SEC
Southeastern ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
Premier athletic programs recruiting globally. Record 14 NCAA Tournament bids in 2024-25. Excellent facilities and international support.
Big Ten
Big Ten ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
Richest TV deal in college sports ($1B+/year). Top research universities with excellent academic reputation and international community.
Big 12
Big 12 ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
Strongest basketball conference top-to-bottom. Added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF in 2023, Four Corners schools in 2024.
ACC
Atlantic Coast ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
Elite academic institutions with storied basketball tradition. Now spans coast-to-coast with Stanford and Cal additions.
Mid-Major Conferences
Competitive conferences with excellent opportunities for international student-athletes
Big East
Elite basketball-focused conference. UConn (back-to-back titles 2023-24), Villanova, Creighton. Strong Catholic school tradition.
View SchoolsWest Coast Conference
Gonzaga's final WCC season before joining Pac-12 in 2026. Added Seattle. Oregon State & Washington State as temporary members.
View SchoolsMountain West
Final season with SDSU, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State before they join Pac-12. Adding UTEP, Grand Canyon, UC Davis.
View SchoolsAmerican Athletic
Memphis, Temple, Tulane, USF. Rebuilding after Houston/Cincinnati departures. Diverse geographic footprint.
View SchoolsAtlantic 10
VCU, Dayton, Saint Louis. Lost UMass to MAC. Strong basketball tradition with consistent NCAA Tournament bids.
View SchoolsMissouri Valley
Historic conference. Lost Missouri State to C-USA. Drake, Bradley, and Loyola Chicago lead competitive basketball.
View SchoolsPac-12 Conference Rebuilding for 2026-27
Oregon State and Washington State control the Pac-12 brand after winning a legal battle. For 2025-26, they're temporary WCC basketball members. In 2026-27, the Pac-12 relaunches with 8 members: Oregon State, Washington State, Gonzaga (from WCC), plus Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State (from Mountain West), and Texas State (from Sun Belt).
View Pac-12 SchoolsOther D1 Conferences
Additional conferences offering scholarship opportunities for international athletes
Key Considerations
Important factors to evaluate when choosing your college destination
Geographic Factors
- Climate: Southern schools (warmer) vs Northern schools (colder seasons)
- International Community: Size of international student population and cultural diversity
- Airport Access: Proximity to major international airports for travel home
- Urban vs Rural: City schools offer more diversity, rural schools offer focus
Academic Factors
- ESL Support: English language programs, writing centers, and tutoring
- Major Programs: Strong programs in your academic interest area
- NCAA Eligibility: TOEFL/IELTS requirements and grade conversion
- Career Services: OPT/CPT support and job placement assistance
Athletic Factors
- Int'l Recruiting History: Track record with international athletes
- Coaching Style: Experience with diverse cultural backgrounds
- Playing Time: Realistic opportunities based on roster depth
- Facilities: Training facilities, sports medicine, and support staff
Financial Factors
- Scholarships: Full vs partial athletic scholarships available
- Cost of Living: Regional differences in housing and expenses
- Int'l Student Fees: Visa costs, health insurance, orientation
- Travel Costs: Distance from home and flight frequency
Research Tools
Helpful resources for your college search
NCAA Statistics
Official NCAA statistics and rankings for all Division I athletic programs.
Visit NCAA.comCollege Navigator
Department of Education tool to compare colleges by academics and costs.
Explore CollegesInternational Guide
Complete guide for international student-athletes navigating NCAA recruitment.
Read GuideConference Comparison
Compare key factors across major conferences for international student-athletes
| Conference | Competition Level | Academic Reputation | International Friendly | Scholarship Availability | TV Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC16 teams | Highest | High | Excellent | High | Excellent |
| Big Ten18 teams | Highest | Excellent | Excellent | High | Excellent |
| Big 1216 teams | Highest | High | Good | High | Good |
| ACC18 teams | High | Excellent | Good | High | Good |
| Big East11 teams | High | High | Good | Medium | Good |
| American Athletic14 teams | Medium-High | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| Mountain West12 teams | Medium | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| WCC12 teams incl. OSU/WSU | Medium-High | High | Good | Medium | Good |
| Atlantic 1014 teams | Medium | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| Pac-12Rebuilding for 2026-27 | Rebuilding | High | Good | TBD | Limited |
| Conference USA10 teams | Low-Medium | Medium | Fair | Low | Limited |
| Ivy League8 teams | Medium | Elite | Good | None (Academic Only) | Fair |
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Search 364+ NCAA Division I basketball programs. Filter by location, conference, academics, and more to find your perfect fit.