Why There Are More Women’s College Soccer Programs Than Men’s

If you’re a soccer family navigating college recruiting, you’ve probably noticed something interesting: there are significantly more women’s college soccer programs than men’s.

In fact, NCAA Division I alone has over 330 women’s programs compared to just over 200 men’s programs. This isn’t an accident—it’s the result of several key factors that directly impact your recruiting strategy.

Title IX Creates Opportunities for Female Players

The biggest driver behind this disparity is Title IX compliance. Colleges must provide equal athletic opportunities for men and women, and since American football rosters carry 85+ scholarships exclusively for men, schools need to balance those numbers with women’s sports.

Women’s soccer has become a go-to solution. With roster sizes of 25-30 players and 14 NCAA scholarships available, it helps institutions meet their gender equity requirements while offering a popular, cost-effective sport.

Here’s what this means for your family: Female soccer players have more program options and potentially better scholarship opportunities due to this numerical advantage.

(American) Football’s Impact on Men’s Soccer

Men’s soccer faces unique challenges that women’s soccer doesn’t.

Football dominates athletic department budgets and roster spots, leaving fewer resources for other men’s sports. Many schools have actually cut men’s soccer programs over the past two decades to accommodate Title IX requirements and budget constraints.

Additionally, men’s soccer competes with other fall sports for athletes and resources, while women’s soccer often stands as a flagship fall sport for female athletes.

Growing Popularity Drives Program Growth

The success of the U.S. Women’s National Team has created a pipeline effect. Youth participation among girls has skyrocketed, and colleges have responded by adding programs to meet demand. The 2019 World Cup victory alone sparked massive interest in women’s soccer at all levels.

As a side note, it will be fascinating to see how the 2026 World Cup will affect youth, high school, and college soccer.

This popularity translates to better facilities, increased support, and more recruiting budgets for women’s programs—creating a positive cycle for female players entering college soccer recruiting.

What This Means for Your Recruiting Strategy

For Female Players:

• Cast a wider net when researching programs
• Consider NCAA Division II and III schools, which often have strong programs with excellent academic reputations
• Don’t overlook smaller conferences where you might find better playing time and scholarship opportunities

For Male Players:

• Do your due diligence when researching schools.
• Focus on building stronger highlight videos and college soccer recruiting profiles since competition is more intense
• Research NAIA and junior college programs as potential pathways
• Consider geographic flexibility in your search

Understanding these numbers helps you set realistic expectations and develop a more strategic approach to ID camps and recruiting communications.

Making the Numbers Work for You

Whether you’re male or female, this landscape creates specific opportunities.

Female players should leverage the abundance of programs by researching thoroughly and reaching out to a broader range of schools.

Male players need to differentiate themselves more aggressively through exceptional highlight videos, strong academic profiles, and persistent communication with coaches.

Both paths require understanding NCAA eligibility requirements and starting the recruiting process early—typically by sophomore year of high school.

The reality is that more programs exist for women, but both male and female players can find their perfect college soccer fit with the right strategy and persistence!

Ready to navigate college soccer recruiting with confidence? CollegeNovo provides the tools, resources, and guidance to help your family find the right program match. Start building your recruiting strategy today.