Division 2 Tennis Colleges with Men’s Tennis

Given how highly competitive the top levels of NCAA men’s tennis are, it’s easy to recognize many top caliber student-athletes lose out to other tennis recruits at the D1 level and will sign a letter of intent to play for a D2 tennis college. There are many reasons why D1 men’s tennis recruiters pass up equally talented players during their recruiting search. As an example, the player may come from a region not traditionally known for tennis. Many times, it is the decision of the student-athlete himself, as he would feel more comfortable attending a smaller university, which is a D2 tennis college.

Here’s what participating in men’s tennis at the NCAA D2 level means:

• The practice and training, while intense, may have a more relaxed surrounding atmosphere than NCAA D1. This doesn’t mean D2 tennis colleges do not expect men’s tennis players to perform at championship levels during matches, but the smaller university surroundings can mean less stress for the athletes.
• Student-athletes can get a more personalized college experience, as the class size is vastly smaller than D1 colleges with  lecture halls seating 100 students.
• Smaller universities can mean an easier time becoming acquainted with other students, both athletes and non-athletes. For an incoming student-athlete, some away from home for the first time, this can create a pleasant social climate.

There is no doubt a men’s tennis player at a D2 tennis college will be expected to attend all practices and conditioning, but the school size will make it possible for the student-athlete to participate in the many the out-of-class and out-of-athletics experiences associated with attending college. 

How many D2 men’s tennis schools are there?

The number of Division 2 tennis colleges providing men’s programs totals 167. Like D1, the D2 tennis colleges are allotted a maximum of 4.5 scholarships by the NCAA guidelines. Men’s tennis is an  equivalency sport, and it is very rare for one student-athlete to be awarded a full scholarship. Coaches divvy up the scholarships among many players. Scholarship awards have a wide range and can include the cost of tuition, books, housing and meals. Scholarship awards are on a one-year basis and the student-athlete’s on-court, classroom and community representation may have a positive or negative impact on a following year’s award.

D2 men’s college tennis rankings and best D2 tennis schools

Below are NCSA’s power rankings for Division 2 men’s tennis colleges.

1. Hillsdale College
2. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
3. Bentley University
4. Florida Southern College
5. Grand Valley State University
6. Rollins College
7. University of West Florida
8. Adelphi University
9. Harding University
10. University of Indianapolis

NCSA rankings are intended to give the prospective student-athlete a closer comparison of tennis colleges, whether a D1 or D2 program. Basing a college decision solely on NCAA rankings, which concentrate on court performance, may result in a less favorable decision regarding a college choice.