NCAA Colleges &
Conferences
Who plays where in 2026-27: the four Power conferences, the main other Division I conferences, and how to choose between them.
2026-27 Conference Landscape
After several years of moves, the Power 4 look like this: Big Ten 18 schools (including USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington), SEC 16 (including Texas and Oklahoma), Big 12 16 (including Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah) and ACC 18 (including Stanford, Cal and SMU). The rebuilt Pac-12 started in 2026-27 with Oregon State, Washington State, Gonzaga, Texas State and five former Mountain West schools.
Division Overview
The three NCAA levels. Our database covers D1 and D2.
Division I
Highest Level- Full or partial scholarships under new roster limits (2025-26)
- 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- No athletic scholarships, academic and need-based aid instead
- 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
16 schools across the South. Set a record with 14 men's NCAA Tournament bids in 2025.
Big Ten
Big Ten ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
18 schools from New Jersey to Los Angeles. Many large research universities, and long travel for West Coast trips.
Big 12
Big 12 ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
16 schools. Added BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF in 2023, and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah in 2024.
ACC
Atlantic Coast ConferenceTop Basketball Programs
18 schools, mostly on the East Coast, plus Stanford, Cal and SMU since 2024.
Mid-Major Conferences
Strong Division I conferences outside the Power 4, often with more playing time.
Big East
Basketball-first conference without FBS football. UConn won the men's title in 2023 and 2024; Villanova and Creighton are other names to know.
View SchoolsWest Coast Conference
Gonzaga, Oregon State and Washington State left for the Pac-12 in 2026. Saint Mary's, San Francisco and Santa Clara lead the basketball side; Seattle and Denver are the newest members.
View SchoolsMountain West
Lost Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State to the Pac-12 in 2026. Added UTEP, Grand Canyon and UC Davis; Northern Illinois joins for football only.
View SchoolsAmerican Conference
Memphis, Temple, Tulane, USF, UTSA. Renamed from "American Athletic" (AAC) in 2025. Diverse footprint across the South.
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 Rebuilt for 2026-27
Oregon State and Washington State kept the Pac-12 brand after winning a legal battle and spent two seasons as temporary WCC basketball members. In 2026-27 the Pac-12 relaunched with 9 members (8 football-playing plus Gonzaga as a non-football member): 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
Our general view of the major conferences, not an official ranking.
| 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 |
| American13 teams (renamed from AAC) | Medium-High | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| Mountain West10 teams | Medium | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| WCC10 teams | Medium-High | High | Good | Medium | Good |
| Atlantic 1014 teams | Medium | Medium | Good | Medium | Fair |
| Pac-129 teams, rebuilt 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 660+ NCAA D1 & D2 programs. Filter by location, conference, academics, and more to find your perfect fit.