A school is classified as NCAA Division 1 (D1) primarily due to its athletic program size, level of competition, and resources. Key factors that make a school Division 1 include:
- Offering the highest level of athletic competition and attracting top athletes.
- Sponsoring at least 14 varsity sports (7 for men and 7 for women).
- Having the largest athletic budgets with extensive facilities, coaching staff, and support.
- Providing more athletic scholarships compared to Divisions 2 and 3.
- Meeting NCAA rules such as minimum sports offerings, scholarship distribution, and competitive scheduling.
- For football programs, D1 includes subdivisions like FBS and FCS with different scholarship and attendance requirements.
D1 schools are the largest, often public universities with nationally recognized sports programs, and they invest heavily in their athletics for competitiveness and visibility.
