Best Division II Swim Programs — NCAA Rankings
NCAA Division II swim programs ranked by academic quality. D2 offers up to 8.1 scholarship equivalencies per gender — strong competition with a student-athlete focus.
Top Division II Swim Programs
Ranked by Niche academic grade. Estimated net price is a tiebreaker within the same grade tier.
| # | School | Location | Niche Grade | Est Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania Western University | California, PA | A+ | $18,400 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown, PA | A | $20,900 |
| 3 | Emory & Henry University | Emory, VA | A | $21,500 |
| 4 | Notre Dame College | Cleveland, OH | A | $21,600 |
| 5 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | A | $25,000 |
| 6 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | Buckhannon, WV | A | $25,800 |
| 7 | Roberts Wesleyan University | Rochester, NY | A | $28,700 |
| 8 | University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | B- | $23,800 |
| 9 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | B- | $24,600 |
| 10 | Wingate University | Wingate, NC | B- | $26,900 |
| 11 | Drury University | Springfield, MO | B- | $29,100 |
| 12 | Truman State University | Kirksville, MO | C+ | $15,100 |
| 13 | Frostburg State University | Frostburg, MD | C+ | $15,500 |
| 14 | University of Montevallo | Montevallo, AL | C+ | $15,500 |
| 15 | University of Missouri-St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | C+ | $16,200 |
| 16 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | C+ | $16,900 |
| 17 | College of Staten Island CUNY | Staten Island, NY | C+ | $17,300 |
| 18 | Henderson State University | Arkadelphia, AR | C+ | $17,600 |
| 19 | Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven, CT | C+ | $17,800 |
| 20 | The University of Findlay | Findlay, OH | C+ | $18,100 |
| 21 | The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL | C+ | $18,200 |
| 22 | University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | C+ | $18,400 |
| 23 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | Odessa, TX | C+ | $18,500 |
| 24 | Maryville University of Saint Louis | Saint Louis, MO | C+ | $18,900 |
| 25 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory, NC | C+ | $20,000 |
| 26 | Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, TN | C+ | $20,200 |
| 27 | McKendree University | Lebanon, IL | C+ | $20,300 |
| 28 | Fresno Pacific University | Fresno, CA | C+ | $20,400 |
| 29 | King University | Bristol, TN | C+ | $20,400 |
| 30 | Mars Hill University | Mars Hill, NC | C+ | $20,400 |
| 31 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, PA | C+ | $20,500 |
| 32 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, NE | C+ | $20,600 |
| 33 | Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion, PA | C+ | $20,700 |
| 34 | Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | C+ | $20,700 |
| 35 | Rockhurst University | Kansas City, MO | C+ | $20,700 |
| 36 | University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | C+ | $21,000 |
| 37 | Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, MI | C+ | $21,200 |
| 38 | Delta State University | Cleveland, MS | C+ | $21,300 |
| 39 | Salem University | Salem, WV | C+ | $21,400 |
| 40 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | C+ | $21,500 |
| 41 | Northern Michigan University | Marquette, MI | C+ | $21,800 |
| 42 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, PA | C+ | $21,900 |
| 43 | Oklahoma Christian University | Edmond, OK | C+ | $21,900 |
| 44 | Quincy University | Quincy, IL | C+ | $21,900 |
| 45 | Catawba College | Salisbury, NC | C+ | $22,000 |
| 46 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana, PA | C+ | $22,000 |
| 47 | Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO | C+ | $22,200 |
| 48 | Adams State University | Alamosa, CO | C+ | $22,600 |
| 49 | Emmanuel University | Franklin Springs, GA | C+ | $22,600 |
| 50 | Adelphi University | Garden City, NY | C+ | $22,800 |
View all 89 D2 programs with full data →
About Division II Swimming
Division II swimming is often overlooked by families who anchor exclusively on D1, but it represents an excellent option for many swimmers. D2 programs offer scholarship money (up to 8.1 equivalencies per gender), competitive dual meets and conference championships, and typically a more balanced student-athlete experience than D1.
D2 programs follow the same recruiting timeline as D1: coaches cannot initiate contact until June 15 after sophomore year, official visits begin August 1 before junior year, and the National Letter of Intent signing period runs in November of senior year.
D2 tuition — particularly at regional public universities — is often lower than D1 flagship schools, meaning a 50% athletic scholarship at a D2 school may produce a lower net cost than a 25% scholarship at a D1 school. When evaluating D2 programs, always compare estimated net price rather than sticker price or scholarship percentage.
Find your best D2 fit
Enter your times, GPA, and budget. We score your fit at all 89 D2 programs — and all 407 NCAA programs — ranked specifically for you.
Build My Free ProfileRelated Rankings
Best D1 Programs
NCAA Division I programs ranked by academic quality.
Best D3 Programs
NCAA Division III programs — no athletic scholarships, strong merit aid.
D1 vs D2 vs D3 Guide
Full comparison: scholarships, time commitment, competition level.
Scholarship Guide
How D2 swimming scholarships work and how to maximize your package.