Which Colleges Offer Swimming Scholarships? A Complete Guide for Aspiring Student-Athletes

Swimming is more than just a sport—it’s a discipline that builds endurance, focus, and resilience. For high school swimmers dreaming of continuing their athletic careers in college, the possibility of earning a swimming scholarship can be both exciting and overwhelming. With over 600 colleges offering men’s and women’s swimming programs in the U.S., knowing which schools offer swimming scholarships—and how to pursue them—can be a game-changer.

This article provides a detailed overview of the types of colleges that offer swimming scholarships, the associations they belong to, and how you can navigate the system to secure funding for your education and athletic future.

While it can be done without assistance, many find the recruiting process overwhelming and time consuming and would like help navigating the journey.  College Swimming Consulting can help make the process smooth and easy.  Visit collegeswimmingconsulting.com for more information!

1. Understanding the Types of Swimming Scholarships

Before diving into which colleges offer swimming scholarships, it’s important to understand how scholarships are structured.

Swimming scholarships are typically:

• Full (covering tuition, room, board, and fees)

• Partial (covering a percentage of total costs)

Unlike other sports, most swimming scholarships are partial because coaches are given a limited number of scholarships and often divide them among several athletes to build a complete and competitive team.

2. Which Athletic Associations Offer Swimming Scholarships?

Colleges offering swimming scholarships are typically affiliated with one of the following:

NCAA Division I

• Offers the highest level of competition.

• In the past, teams could offer up to 9.9 scholarships for men and 14 for women.  Starting in 2025, there are no limits to how many scholarships can be offered.  Instead there are now roster caps (30 for all Power 4 conferences except the SEC which will cap men’s teams to 22)

• While colleges can offer scholarships to all athletes, most will not have the funding to do so.

• Scholarships are often partial, divided among athletes.

• Examples: University of Texas, University of California-Berkeley, University of Florida.

NCAA Division II

• Still highly competitive, but generally less intense than Division I.

• Each team can offer up to 8.1 scholarships for both men and women.

• Examples: Colorado Mesa University, Drury University, Colorado School of Mines.

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

• Offers a more flexible and often more personalized college experience.

• Teams can offer up to 8 scholarships per team.

• Great option for swimmers who want to balance academics and athletics.

• Examples: Lindsey Wilson College, SCAD Savannah, Keiser University.

NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)

• Two-year institutions offering scholarships, including full rides in some cases.

• Ideal for student-athletes who want to improve their academic record or athletic skills before transferring to a four-year college.

• Examples: Indian River State College, Barton Community College, Southwestern Oregon Community College.

NCAA Division III

• Does not offer athletic scholarships.

• However, many D3 schools provide generous academic or need-based aid, and swimming teams are often quite competitive.

• Examples: Kenyon College, Emory University, Williams College.

3. Top Colleges That Offer Swimming Scholarships

Below is a list of notable colleges and universities across different divisions and associations that offer swimming scholarships or have highly competitive swimming programs:

🏊‍♂️ NCAA Division I Schools

These schools compete at the highest level nationally and often have Olympic-caliber coaching and training facilities.

• University of Texas at Austin

  • Powerhouse in men’s swimming.

  • Consistent NCAA Championship contender.

• University of California, Berkeley

  • Top-tier program with strong international recruitment.

• University of Florida

  • Known for developing elite sprinters and distance swimmers.

• University of Virginia

  • Recent national champions and very strong women’s program.

Note: Ivy League schools like Harvard and Princeton do not offer athletic scholarships but do provide substantial need-based aid.

🏊‍♀️ NCAA Division II Schools

Great option for student-athletes who want a competitive swimming experience with a better balance of academics and athletics.

• Colorado Mesa University

  • Known for strong performances at nationals.

• Drury University (MO)

  • Historic DII swimming program with a tradition of excellence.

• University of Indianapolis

  • Strong men’s and women’s programs.

🏅 NAIA Schools

These schools offer more flexibility in recruitment and eligibility and are ideal for athletes who want to keep competing at a high level while enjoying smaller class sizes and a personalized education.

• Keiser University (FL)

  • National champions in NAIA swimming.

• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

  • Strong arts program and competitive swimming.

• Lindsey Wilson College (KY)

  • Offers swimming scholarships and has a growing program.

• St. Ambrose University (IA)

  • Reputable program and offers athletic aid.

🏆 NJCAA (Junior Colleges)

Perfect for swimmers looking for development opportunities or more affordable education before transferring.

• Indian River State College (FL)

  • Arguably the most dominant junior college swimming program in the country.

  • Multiple consecutive national championships.

• Barton Community College (KS)

  • Offers solid training and competition for emerging talent.

• Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • An affordable path to transfer to a four-year program with strong academic support.

4. How to Find Colleges That Match Your Swim Times

To identify the schools where you’d be a scholarship-worthy recruit:

• Visit SwimCloud

• Create a profile and input your best times.

• Compare your times to past recruits and current team rosters.

• Check conference championship results to assess competitiveness.

Some conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 are highly competitive, while others like the Sunshine State Conference (DII) or Mid-South Conference (NAIA) may offer more opportunities for swimmers with developing times.

5. Getting Recruited for a Swimming Scholarship

Knowing which colleges offer swimming scholarships is just the beginning. Here’s how to get on a coach’s radar:

✅ Start Early

Begin the recruiting process during your freshman or sophomore year of high school. Build a list of potential colleges, attend college swim camps, and start tracking your progress.

✅ Create a Swim Resume

Include your personal information, GPA, test scores, top swim times, club affiliations, and videos of races or workouts.

✅ Reach Out to Coaches

Email coaches directly and express interest in their program. Share your resume and upcoming meet schedule.

✅ Attend Major Meets

Events like USA Swimming Futures, Junior Nationals, and state championships are common scouting grounds for college coaches.

6. Don’t Overlook Academic Scholarships

Even if a school doesn’t offer an athletic scholarship—or you’re offered only a partial one—you can often combine athletic aid with academic scholarships or need-based financial aid.

This is especially important for:

• Division III schools, where academic scholarships are the primary form of aid.

• High-achieving students, whose grades can boost their value in the eyes of coaches looking to maximize their budget.

Final Thoughts

College swimming scholarships are highly competitive but attainable for swimmers who combine talent, work ethic, and strategic planning. Whether you’re targeting powerhouse Division I programs, rising DII schools, or a balanced NAIA experience, there are many colleges across the U.S. offering athletic aid to dedicated swimmers.

The key is to know where you stand, start the process early, and take an active role in your recruitment journey. With hundreds of scholarship-offering schools, your opportunity is out there—it’s up to you to find the best fit.

Need Help Finding Schools That Match Your Swimming and Academic Goals?I can help you build a custom list of colleges based on your swim times, GPA, and preferences. If you're just getting started with recruiting, ask for help for a smooth process. The key factor is finding the colleges where you fit best academically and athletically.  Need help finding those colleges?  Contact College Swimming Consulting to get your customized list of best-fit colleges!