Division I Swim Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina has 9 NCAA Division I college swim programs. North Carolina D1 swimming spans multiple conferences and program tiers, from high-major programs competing at the national level to developing programs that recruit a wider range of athlete profiles.
9 NCAA Division I swim programs in North Carolina. D1 women's swimming awards up to 14 full scholarships (headcount sport); D1 men's programs distribute 9.9 equivalencies across the roster. Most D1 swimmers receive partial aid — full rides are rare outside elite programs.
Division I Swim Programs in North Carolina
| School | City | Est. Net Price | Niche Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson College | Davidson | $36,800 | A+ |
| Duke University | Durham | $21,300 | A+ |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | $38,600 | C+ |
| NC State University | Raleigh | $23,300 | A |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh | $17,800 | A |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte | $16,600 | C+ |
| University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill | $19,900 | A+ |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | $23,000 | A+ |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | $22,700 | C+ |
Recruiting for Division I Swimming in North Carolina
All Division I programs in North Carolina follow the same NCAA Division I recruiting rules — but each program has its own time standards, roster culture, academic profile, and scholarship budget. When comparing North Carolina Division I programs, consider:
- Your event times relative to each program's existing roster benchmarks
- Academic fit — admissions standards and available majors vary significantly across North Carolina Division I programs
- Cost — estimated net price after grants can vary by $10,000–$30,000 per year even within the same division
- In-state tuition — North Carolina public universities may offer significantly lower tuition for North Carolina residents
- Conference competition level — conference affiliation affects the competitiveness of the dual-meet schedule
Other Divisions in North Carolina
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Build My Free ProfileFrequently Asked Questions
- How many Division I swim programs are in North Carolina?
- 9 NCAA Division I swim programs are located in North Carolina. See the full list above with recruiting data, cost, and academic information for each school.
- What times do I need to swim Division I in North Carolina?
- Required times vary by program — North Carolina has Division I programs at different competitive tiers, each with different recruiting benchmarks by event. Build a free profile on University Swim Fit to see exactly where your times rank for every program.
- Do Division I programs in North Carolina offer swimming scholarships?
- D1 women's swimming awards up to 14 full scholarships (headcount sport); D1 men's programs distribute 9.9 equivalencies across the roster. Most D1 swimmers receive partial aid — full rides are rare outside elite programs.
- How do I contact Division I swim coaches in North Carolina?
- Email coaches directly with your best times, GPA, graduation year, and intended major. D1 and D2 coaches cannot initiate contact until June 15 after your sophomore year, but you can email them first at any time. D3 coaches have no contact restrictions. See our coach email guide for templates and tips.