Collegiate Gymnastics Scholarships in American Universities
In the USA sports is a vital part of the school system. Many stars have emerged from school sports competitions. This means the USA is a perfect destination for scholarship on gymnastics. Collegiate gymnastics is very competitive in the USA and some of the student athletes competing in the NCAA are among the best in the world. While on the men’s side there are only 15 NCAA D1 institutions with gymnastics programs, on the women’s side the sport is much more common, with currently 61 teams competing at the division 1 level.
Considering the fact that women’s gymnastics teams on average consist of 17 student athletes and that the scholarship limit per team is 12, there are plenty of opportunities available for a full scholarship.
Since gymnastics has always remained an amateur sport that does not offer the financial benefits that full time athletes receive in soccer or tennis for example, the world’s best gymnasts have come through the American college system. It is therefore no surprise that numerous Olympic medal winners have competed in the NCAA, making college gymnastics one of the more prestigious collegiate sports.
Eligibility
Applicants should have a high enough GPA or SAT/ACT score as this is the passport to obtaining a gymnastics scholarship. Achievements in the sport will count for nothing if you do not fulfill the academic requirements set by the NCAA and the university of your choice.
Important facts about college gymnastics and gymnastics scholarships in the USA:
- Number of NCAA Div 1 gymnastics teams: Men 15, Women 61
- Number of NCAA Div 2 gymnastics teams: Women 7
- Total Number of gymnastics teams (all divisions): Men 16, Women 82
- Total number of college gymnasts: Men c. 350, Women c. 1500
- Scholarship limit per team: D1 Men: 6, D1 Women:12.3, D2 Men: 5.4, D2 Women: 6
- College gymnastics programs with the most National Championships: Georgia, UCLA, Alabama, Utah, Florida, Oklahoma
For more on how to apply see OFFICIAL SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE