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D1 Colleges in New York

The state of New York is more than just Times Square, Broadway, and an epicenter for business and fashion. It’s also home to many Division 1 colleges and universities, which compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. These National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools offer a wide variety of sports teams for both men and women.

Whether you or your child is looking for a school close to home in Buffalo, or they want to spread their wings and head to the Big Apple, there’s a New York D1 school that will support their athletic and academic goals. 

How many D1 schools are in New York?

There are currently 22 Division 1 colleges and universities in the state of New York that sponsor men’s and women’s athletics. Not all offer the same athletic programs. Many schools specialize in certain sports, such as Cornell and its men’s lacrosse team or Columbia and its field hockey team.

If you or your student-athlete is interested in any of these colleges, each D1 school’s website should list which sports they offer and how to contact a coach or school representative.

What is the largest D1 college in New York?

The largest Division 1 school in New York is the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo). 

SUNY Buffalo is a public research university that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It has an enrollment of over 32,000 students and sponsors 16 D1 athletic programs in various sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and track and field. 

The university is also ranked No. 1 in the United States by Times Higher Education for its focus on the good health and well-being of students and staff. 

Why choose a D1 college in New York?

While New York is known for the Big Apple, it’s not the only reason your student might be interested in attending a D1 school in New York. 

  1. Location: New York is a major cultural and economic hub, offering a wide range of opportunities for students in terms of internships, networking, and exposure to diverse industries. New York ranks No. 2 in the nation for the highest number of residents who are scientists and engineers and No. 3 in the country for high-tech employment. 
  1. Prestige: New York is home to some of the most highly respected and well-regarded schools in the nation. At the top of the list are the state’s two Ivy League colleges — Columbia University and Cornell University. Attending one of these schools can open doors for students in terms of future career opportunities and graduate school admissions. 
  1. Sports: Many Division 1 colleges in New York have strong athletic programs. For example, Syracuse has won 79 individual and team championship titles across their men’s crew, basketball, lacrosse, boxing, football, cross-country, wrestling, gymnastics, field hockey, and indoor track and field teams.
  1. Diversity: New York ranks as one of the most diverse states thanks to its history of being a hub for immigration and New York City’s status as a sanctuary city. In turn, many colleges in New York have diverse student bodies and offer a wide range of resources and support for students from underrepresented communities. 
  1. Resources: Many Division 1 colleges in New York have a wealth of resources and facilities, such as libraries, laboratories, and research centers, that can help students achieve their academic and career goals. It’s also the first state to offer an accessible, tuition-free college program, the Excelsior Scholarship. The groundbreaking program provides tuition-free college to qualifying middle-class New Yorkers who plan to attend a SUNY or City of New York (CUNY) school. 

List of D1 colleges in New York by sport

Whether your student-athlete is a soccer star or the best football player at their high school, New York has an impressive selection of D1 colleges to choose from. Our list of D1 schools in New York below has all they need to start their search. 

map of division 1 colleges in New York

D1 baseball colleges in New York

View all Division 1 baseball colleges. 

Men’s D1 basketball colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 basketball colleges. 

Women’s D1 basketball colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 basketball colleges. 

D1 field hockey colleges in New York

View all Division 1 field hockey colleges. 

D1 football colleges in New York

View all Division 1 football colleges. 

Men’s D1 golf colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 golf colleges. 

Women’s D1 golf colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 golf colleges. 

Men’s D1 lacrosse colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 lacrosse colleges. 

Women’s D1 lacrosse colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 lacrosse colleges. 

Men’s D1 soccer colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 soccer colleges. 

Women’s D1 soccer colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 soccer colleges. 

D1 softball colleges in New York

View all Division 1 softball colleges. 

Men’s D1 swimming colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 swimming colleges. 

Women’s D1 swimming colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 swimming colleges. 

Men’s D1 tennis colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 tennis colleges. 

Women’s D1 tennis colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 tennis colleges. 

Men’s D1 track and field colleges in New York

View all men’s Division 1 track and field colleges. 

Women’s D1 track and field colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 track and field colleges. 

Women’s D1 volleyball colleges in New York

View all women’s Division 1 volleyball colleges. 

D1 wrestling colleges in New York

View all Division 1 wrestling colleges. 

D1 college sports recruiting in New York

NCSA is your go-to source for guidance and education about college recruitment. Families can count on us to help their children receive the best possible advice and solutions to improve their chances of being recruited by one or more New York D1 colleges.

Read our recruitment guide to learn more about how to get recruited for college sports. And for a rundown on key recruiting milestones, check out our tips on managing the recruitment process.