NCAA Division 1 Colleges in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

NCAA Division 1 Colleges in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to NCAA Division I athletics, Texas boasts some of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious programs. Known for their deep athletic traditions and passionate fanbases, Texas colleges offer aspiring student-athletes a dynamic environment for both academic and athletic growth. Texas is home to more than 20 Division I institutions, each bringing something unique to the NCAA landscape—whether it’s powerhouse basketball teams, legendary football programs, or state-of-the-art facilities.

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Here’s a look at all the Division I colleges in Texas, with insights into what makes them exceptional destinations for athletes.


1. Baylor University (Waco, TX)

  • Conference: Big 12
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Track & Field
  • Highlights: Baylor’s men’s basketball team claimed the NCAA Championship in 2021, and the university is renowned for its commitment to both academic and athletic success.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf, Equestrian, Soccer, Softball, Track & Field, Women’s Tennis, and Volleyball.

2. University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)

  • Conference: Big 12 (moving to SEC in 2024)
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: Known for its storied football program and passionate fanbase, UT Austin is one of the most prominent sports schools in the nation.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

3. Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

  • Conference: SEC
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: With one of the largest stadiums in college football, Texas A&M’s Kyle Field is a renowned spot for fans. The Aggies are known for producing top-level athletes.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Equestrian, and Volleyball.

4. Texas Christian University (TCU) (Fort Worth, TX)

  • Conference: Big 12
  • Notable Sports: Football, Baseball, Basketball
  • Highlights: TCU’s recent football success in the College Football Playoff has raised its profile, along with its robust baseball program.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

5. Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

  • Conference: Big 12
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Baseball
  • Highlights: Texas Tech’s men’s basketball team reached the NCAA Championship game in 2019, adding to its strong athletic reputation.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

6. University of Houston (Houston, TX)

  • Conference: Big 12 (recently moved from AAC)
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Track & Field
  • Highlights: Known for its strong basketball tradition, the Houston Cougars have become a perennial NCAA tournament contender.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

7. Southern Methodist University (SMU) (Dallas, TX)

  • Conference: American Athletic Conference (moving to ACC in 2024)
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Soccer
  • Highlights: SMU has a rich athletic history, with a notable football program and a campus in the heart of Dallas.
  • All Sports Offered: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

8. University of North Texas (Denton, TX)

  • Conference: American Athletic Conference
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Soccer
  • Highlights: UNT is known for its growing basketball program and strong presence in Texas athletics.
  • All Sports Offered: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

9. Rice University (Houston, TX)

  • Conference: American Athletic Conference
  • Notable Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football
  • Highlights: Rice has a highly respected baseball program and combines academic prestige with competitive sports.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

10. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) (San Antonio, TX)

  • Conference: American Athletic Conference
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Track & Field
  • Highlights: UTSA’s football program has seen rapid growth, gaining strong local support.
  • All Sports Offered: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

11. Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)

  • Conference: WAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Baseball
  • Highlights: Known for a competitive basketball program that has achieved NCAA tournament success.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

12. Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX)

  • Conference: Conference USA
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: Sam Houston has a strong football tradition, winning the FCS National Championship in recent years.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

13. Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)

  • Conference: Sun Belt Conference
  • Notable Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: A growing athletics program, especially in football and baseball, with strong regional support.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

14. University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) (Arlington, TX)

  • Conference: WAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: Known for a solid men’s basketball team with frequent conference tournament appearances.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Softball, Tennis, and Track & Field.

15. Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX)

  • Conference: SWAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Track & Field
  • Highlights: Known for its competitive men’s basketball program, Prairie View A&M has strong traditions in both athletics and academics within the SWAC.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

16. Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)

  • Conference: SWAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Baseball
  • Highlights: Texas Southern is recognized for its men’s basketball team, with a history of NCAA tournament appearances and a strong athletic culture.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Track & Field.

17. Abilene Christian University (Abilene, TX)

  • Conference: WAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Track & Field
  • Highlights: Known for its men’s basketball team’s NCAA tournament success, Abilene Christian has a growing reputation for athletic excellence.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

18. Lamar University (Beaumont, TX)

  • Conference: Southland Conference
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Baseball, Football
  • Highlights: Lamar has a strong men’s basketball tradition and has been a consistent competitor in the Southland Conference.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

19. University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX)

  • Conference: Southland Conference
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Track & Field
  • Highlights: UIW has seen growth in its athletic programs, particularly in football and basketball, and is well-known for its commitment to both academics and athletics.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

20. Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX)

  • Conference: WAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Football, Rodeo
  • Highlights: Recently transitioned to Division I, Tarleton State’s athletics are on the rise, especially in basketball and football.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

21. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) (Edinburg, TX)

  • Conference: WAC
  • Notable Sports: Basketball, Baseball
  • Highlights: UTRGV has a strong basketball following and a growing reputation in Texas collegiate sports.
  • All Sports Offered: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.

This completes the full list of NCAA Division I colleges in Texas, each offering a range of sports programs and competitive opportunities for student-athletes across various disciplines. Texas’s Division I schools provide a mix of large, public universities and smaller, private institutions, each with its unique character and strengths in both academics and athletics. From traditional powerhouses to emerging programs, Texas is a prime destination for those looking to balance collegiate athletics with academic pursuits at the highest level.

COLLEGE OPENINGS

Here you can access the most up-to-date college openings from college coaches looking for players to fill roster spots