Complete List of Division 3 Water Polo Colleges
The NCAA D3 level has more college athletes than either the D1 or D2 level. There are over 20 colleges competing in water polo at this level. The motto of D3 athletes is “going pro in something other than sports.” This motto reinforces the idea that schools competing at this level are about a balance of academics and athletics, with slightly more priority given to academics. Of the colleges that compete in D3 water polo, many of them are among the top academic institutions in the country.
Financial Aid at Division III Schools
While water polo players at this level can’t receive athletic scholarships, there are many other forms of financial aid. DIII coaches use a mix of academic scholarships, needs based financial aid and grants to put together competitive financial aid packages for their athletes. The best thing you can do if you are considering competing at a DIII school is to maintain the best possible grades.
How to Choose a Division 3 Water Polo College
In general, these D3 colleges are smaller schools with many of them having fewer than 5,000 undergraduate students. In some cases, 30%-50% of the student body is made up of student-athletes, which provides a small community feel many athletes are looking for. When considering a DIII school it is important you establish contact with the coach as soon as possible.
| College | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena | CA |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks | CA |
| Carthage College | Kenosha | WI |
| Chapman University | Orange | CA |
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh | PA |
| Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges | Claremont | CA |
| Connecticut College | New London | CT |
| Hartwick College | Oneonta | NY |
| Macalester College | Saint Paul | MN |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT | Cambridge | MA |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles | CA |
| Penn State Erie - The Behrend College | Erie | PA |
| Pomona-Pitzer Colleges | Claremont | CA |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | CA |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | CA |
| Utica College | Utica | NY |
| Washington & Jefferson College | Washington | PA |
| Wheaton College - Illinois | Wheaton | IL |
| Whittier College | Whittier | CA |