Major Differences Between NCAA DI, II & III

• Division I: Highest level, most resources, most time commitment.
• Division II: Strong competition with some scholarships similar to DI and slightly less pressure.
• Division III: No athletic scholarships (grants and aid may be offered). Excellent academics and competitive lacrosse
  

• Men’s lacrosse programs exist across all three divisions, with the largest number in Division III.
• Women’s lacrosse has been growing quickly across all divisions, with strong DI and DIII participation.
  

Here is a simple side-by-side chart that explains the major differences between playing NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III lacrosse for both men and women.

Category	DI	DII	DIII
Level of Competition	Highest level of NCAA lacrosse	Very competitive but slightly below D1	Competitive but broader range of talent
Scholarships	Athletic scholarships allowed (up to 12.6 men / 12 women equivalency scholarships)	The highest level of NCAA lacrosse	No athletic scholarships (academic/need aid only)
Recruiting Intensity	Highly structured recruiting; many players recruited early	Strong facilities, but vary by school	Academics are important, but athletics are heavily structured
Time Commitment	Very high (year-round training, fall ball, lifts, travel)	High commitment but slightly less intense than D1	Balanced commitment; more flexibility
Typical Roster Size	40–50 players	35–45 players	30–45 players
Season Length	Longest season with extensive travel	Slightly shorter travel schedule	Regional schedules common
Athletic Facilities	Elite facilities and full athletic departments	Often, later recruiting, some players apply first, then connect with coaches	Facilities vary widely
Academic Balance	Often, later recruiting, some players apply first then connect with coaches	Balance between athletics and academics	Academics typically prioritized
Typical School Size	The highest level of NCAA lacrosse	Mid-size universities	Mostly small to mid-size colleges