Men’s track scholarships are available at the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels, NAIA schools and junior colleges. Understanding the process of earning track and field scholarships and what it takes to secure them is crucial.
This guide offers a detailed overview of track and field recruiting standards, including men’s track and field scholarship standards, division-specific scholarship limits, and the track recruiting times that college coaches consider when awarding scholarships, along with strategies to boost your chances of securing a scholarship offer.
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New NCAA track and field scholarship limits by division level
Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the NCAA eliminated most D1 scholarship limits, enabling all sports to distribute scholarships more flexibly among athletes. More details and the latest updates here.
These changes impact men’s track and field recruits in the following ways:
- D1 men’s track programs are allowed to offer 45 scholarships, up from the current limit of 12.6.
- D1 men’s track have a maximum roster limit of 45.
- D1 track is already an equivalency sport and will continue to offer both partial and full scholarships to recruits.
Note: These are the maximum scholarship and roster limits set by the NCAA, but schools aren’t required to meet these maximums.
Here’s a breakdown of the current and 2025-26 NCAA track and field scholarship and roster limits, along with the NAIA and NJCAA division levels for both indoor track and field and outdoor track and field:
Men’s indoor track and field scholarship limits by division level
| Division Level | # of Teams | Total Athletes | Average Team Size (Current) | Scholarship Limit (Current) | 2025-26 Scholarship Limit | 2025-26 Roster Limit | Scholarship Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA D1 | 269 | 11,156 | 41.5 | 12.6 | 45 | 45 | Equivalency |
| NCAA D2 | 197 | 7,896 | 40.1 | 12.6 | 12.6 | N/A | Equivalency |
| NCAA D3 | 312 | 11,457 | 36.6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NAIA | 161 | Varies | 26 | 12 | 12 | N/A | Equivalency |
| NJCAA | 63 | Varies | 17 | 20 | 20 | N/A | Equivalency |
Men’s outdoor track and field scholarship limits by division level
| Division Level | # of Teams | Total Athletes | Average Team Size (Current) | Scholarship Limit (Current) | 2025-26 Scholarship Limit | 2025-26 Roster Limit | Scholarship Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA D1 | 293 | 12,174 | 41.5 | 12.6 | 45 | 45 | Equivalency |
| NCAA D2 | 240 | 9,225 | 38.4 | 12.6 | 12.6 | N/A | Equivalency |
| NCAA D3 | 338 | 11,909 | 35.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NAIA | 193 | Varies | 26 | 12 | 12 | N/A | Equivalency |
| NJCAA | 111 | Varies | 17 | 20 | 20 | N/A | Equivalency |
Scholarship limits: This number represents the maximum number of scholarships a program is allowed to award each year. Because not all programs are fully funded, the true number of men’s track and field scholarships available varies from college to college. Ivy League schools do not award athletic scholarships but provide financial aid through academic scholarships.
Equivalency scholarship: Men’s track and field is an equivalency sport at both the NCAA D1 and D2 levels. This means coaches can divide scholarships among several athletes, offering a mix of partial and full scholarships based on the needs of the recruits. The only restriction is that the combined total of partial and full scholarships must not exceed the maximum scholarship limit for the team.
Division 1 track and field recruiting standards
Please note these vary depending on college, conference and other factors.
| Track & Field Event | D1 (Top) | D1 (Low) |
|---|---|---|
| 60m | 6.69 | 6.88 |
| 3200m | 8:35 | 9:02 |
| 60mHH | 7.78 | 8.48 |
| Weight Throw | 72’8″ | 42’11” |
| Heptathlon | 5758 | 3896 |
| 100m | 10.41 | 10.8 |
| 200m | 20.84 | 21.49 |
| 400m | 46.2 | 49.11 |
| 800m | 1:47.14 | 1:58.49 |
| 1500m | 3:45.75 | 4:16.77 |
| 1600m | 4:05.89 | 4:27.80 |
| 5K XC | 13:58.20 | 15:52 |
| 10,000m | 29:13.12 | 35:39.84 |
| 110mHH | 14.01 | 15.62 |
| 400mIH | 50.76 | 55.29 |
| 3000m Steeple | 8:41.24 | 12:20 |
| High Jump | 7’2″ | 6’5″ |
| Pole Vault | 17’11” | 14’6″ |
| Long Jump | 25’10” | 22’11” |
| Triple Jump | 52’10” | 44’11” |
| Shot Put | 66’3″ | 52’6″ |
| Discus | 186’1″ | 139’5″ |
| Hammer | 233’11” | 139’6″ |
| Javelin | 230’6″ | 187’9″ |
| Decathlon | 7695 | 5244 |
Find more Division 1 track and field standards here:
- Maryland
- Tennessee State
- Marshall
- SIU Edwardsville
- Central Arkansas
- Grand Canyon
- Cincinnati
- UConn
- Kent State
- Wake Forest
Most Competitive:
Division 2 track and field recruiting standards
Please note these vary depending on college, conference and other factors.
| Track & Field Event | D2 (Top) | D2 (Low) |
|---|---|---|
| 60m | 6.83 | 7.05 |
| 3200m | 9:02 | 9:20 |
| 60mHH | 7.99 | 9.04 |
| Weight Throw | 64’10” | 51’9″ |
| Heptathlon | 5329 | 3755 |
| 100m | 10.61 | 11.02 |
| 200m | 21.28 | 22.71 |
| 400m | 47.59 | 50.05 |
| 800m | 1:48.92 | 1:58.76 |
| 1500m | 3:46.74 | 4:05.53 |
| 1600m | 4:06.99 | 4:21.44 |
| 5K XC | 14:17.66 | 15:36.68 |
| 10,000m | 30:21:00 | 33:59.99 |
| 110mHH | 14.43 | 15.73 |
| 400mIH | 52.27 | 60.29 |
| 3000m Steeple | 9:03.62 | 9:54.66 |
| High Jump | 6’11” | 6’2″ |
| Pole Vault | 16’8″ | 14’4″ |
| Long Jump | 24’6″ | 21’8″ |
| Triple Jump | 50’4″ | 44’6″ |
| Shot Put | 58’2″ | 48’6″ |
| Discus | 172’2″ | 145’6″ |
| Hammer | 195’11” | 165’7″ |
| Javelin | 212’1″ | 169’11” |
| Decathlon | 6943 | 4536 |
Find more Division 2 track and field standards here:
Division 3 track and field recruiting standards
Please note these vary depending on college, conference and other factors.
| Track & Field Event | D3 (Top) | D3 (Low) |
|---|---|---|
| 60m | 7.03 | 7.17 |
| 3200m | 9:20 | 9:40 |
| 60mHH | 8.54 | 9.05 |
| Weight Throw | 61’4″ | 42’5″ |
| Heptathlon | 4973 | 3209 |
| 100m | 10.94 | 11.34 |
| 200m | 21.75 | 23.71 |
| 400m | 47.98 | 51.76 |
| 800m | 1:54.94 | 1:59.67 |
| 1500m | 3:55.79 | 4:06.82 |
| 1600m | 4:15.88 | 4:26.88 |
| 5K XC | 14:56.85 | 15:23.88 |
| 10,000m | 31:06.21 | 35:14.91 |
| 110mHH | 14.76 | 16.28 |
| 400mIH | 51.96 | 59.51 |
| 3000m Steeple | 9:16.04 | 10:25.33 |
| High Jump | 6’9″ | 6’1″ |
| Pole Vault | 15’9″ | 13’6″ |
| Long Jump | 23’8″ | 22″ |
| Triple Jump | 48’6″ | 42’4″ |
| Shot Put | 53’3″ | 39’3″ |
| Discus | 165’8″ | 121’5″ |
| Hammer | 188’4″ | 134’6″ |
| Javelin | 204’7″ | 114’10” |
| Decathlon | 6580 | 4167 |
Find more Division 3 track and field standards here:
NAIA track and field scholarship standards
Please note these vary depending on college, conference and other factors.
| Track & Field Event | NAIA (Top) | NAIA (Low) |
|---|---|---|
| 60m | 6.92 | 7.17 |
| 3200m | 9:40 | 10:00 |
| 60mHH | 8.46 | 9.09 |
| Weight Throw | 61’9″ | 38’10” |
| Heptathlon | 4897 | 3598 |
| 100m | 10.74 | 11.39 |
| 200m | 22.11 | 23.04 |
| 400m | 48.71 | 50.95 |
| 800m | 1:55.50 | 2:05.43 |
| 1500m | 3:05.42 | 4:26.89 |
| 1600m | 4:10.57 | 4:47.01 |
| 5K XC | 15:04.98 | 17:45.75 |
| 10,000m | 32:09.51 | 40:50.13 |
| 110mHH | 14.54 | 16.81 |
| 400mIH | 56.43 | 62.93 |
| 3000m Steeple | 9:21.97 | 10:02.67 |
| High Jump | 6’8″ | 6′ |
| Pole Vault | 15’8″ | 13’6″ |
| Long Jump | 23’6″ | 20’1″ |
| Triple Jump | 48’2″ | 41’6″ |
| Shot Put | 55’10” | 38’6″ |
| Discus | 163’10” | 107’8″ |
| Hammer | 187’11” | 109’3″ |
| Javelin | 196’5″ | 122’8″ |
| Decathlon | 6459 | 4245 |
Find more NAIA track and field standards here:
Insider Tip: Looking for scholarships near you? Explore men’s track scholarships by state.
College track and field recruiting standards
Track and field recruiting standards are the general baseline student-athletes need to meet to get recruited by a track and field program. These standards vary depending on the level of competition you wish to pursue.
Recruiting standards also differ from college to college, even within each division level.
A men’s sprinter in good academic standing with personal bests of 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 21.7 seconds in the 200m has a good chance of meeting the recruiting standards for the University of Pennsylvania but may need to improve their times to 10.5 and 21.5 seconds to land a roster spot at the University of Michigan—both D1 programs.
The best way to get a sense of each school’s individual recruiting standards is by asking the track and field coach, but you should also look at current rosters for individual stats or find a program’s specific recruiting standards on their website.
The tables above provide general outlines for the times, heights or distances needed to meet the recruiting and scholarship standards for schools across all division levels.
Track and field walk-on standards
Recruited walk-on standards are the minimum times, heights, or distances coaches expect athletes to have. There are two types of walk-ons at the college level: recruited and non-recruited.
- Recruited Walk-Ons: These athletes are guaranteed a roster spot by the coach if they get admitted to the school and maintain or improve their stats. Though they don’t receive athletic aid, their place on the team is secured.
- Non-Recruited Walk-Ons: These athletes might be invited by the coach to try out for the team after they apply and get admitted. However, they are not guaranteed a roster spot.
With the new NCAA scholarship rules and roster limits starting in 2025-2026, the exact impact on walk-ons is uncertain and will vary across different sports and schools. To understand how these changes might affect you, stay in touch with coaches and ask about their plans for walk-ons, as this can differ significantly between programs.
How do you get a track and field scholarship?
College coaches decide how to award track and field scholarships based on their recruiting standards, coaching philosophy, and available funds. The amount of scholarship money each recruit receives can vary.
To maximize scholarship potential, men’s track and field athletes should target the right division level for their needs. Meeting D1 standards is great, but sometimes you can make a bigger impact, or potentially receive more scholarship dollars, at a D2 or NAIA school.
New roster limits will be introduced for NCAA D1 sports for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Division 1 college track and field roster size is now limited to 45 athletes.
- Division 1 track and field coaches can award 45 scholarships, making every athlete on the team eligible to receive a full or partial scholarship. This is a 35 percent increase in scholarships availability.
Insider tip: Earning a roster spot doesn’t guarantee a scholarship. Even if you meet the recruiting times and marks college track coaches seek, you must still fulfill the eligibility requirements to enroll. For D1 schools, this includes completing 16 core courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Recruits must also maintain amateur status by not accepting compensation beyond actual expenses, such as payments for media appearances, product endorsements, or excessive prize money.
How do college coaches decide which recruits will get a scholarship?
Men’s track and field coaches consider several key factors when deciding who gets athletic scholarships. They look at athletic and academic performance, potential for growth, and how well the recruit fits with the team.
Here’s a closer look at how college track and field coaches decide on scholarships:
Athletic Performance
- Sprinters: Fast athletes who can compete in multiple events are often prioritized for athletic aid. Coaches are willing to work on technique and form if the recruit has speed.
- Middle Distance Runners: Runners with good form and speed who are comfortable trying different events at the college level. Recruits should be willing to step up their distances and might even be asked to run cross country.
- Distance Runners: Recruits are chosen based on how well their running style fits with the school’s training program. They are assets in both indoor/outdoor programs and cross country.
- Throwers: Athletes with good size, athleticism, and room to improve are valuable. College weights are heavier than high school, so strong shot or discus throwers who can put up high scores at meets are sought after. Trying new events like hammer and javelin is also beneficial.
- Jumpers: Athletes who can join a team and score points right away are invaluable. Coaches look for those who have proven they can land good marks and will improve with year-round training.
Versatility and Special Events
Coaches often give more scholarships to athletes who excel in multiple events. For instance, a sprinter who is also a hurdler or athletes who compete in specialized events like pole vaulting are highly sought after.
Academic Performance
Good grades matter too! Coaches want recruits who meet academic requirements for admission, can stay eligible throughout college and graduate on time.
Potential for Improvement
Coaches look for athletes who have the potential to get better and make a big impact at major meets like conference, regional and national competitions.
All in all, men’s track and field coaches decide who gets scholarships by looking at an athlete’s performance, versatility, potential for growth and academic standing. This helps them build a strong and competitive team that excels in various events and meets academic standards.
How hard is it to get a track scholarship?
Getting a track and field scholarship is very competitive due to limited availability, high athletic standards, and strict academic and amateurism requirements. Finding the right level of competition, showcasing your times and athleticism and getting on college coaches’ radars early can improve your chances of securing a scholarship.
Learn more about how to reach out to college coaches here.
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