Ivy Leagues. Championships. Tournaments. D1 rankings. Gold medals. The world of soccer is highly exciting. Once you get into it, it’s hard to turn back, as the thrill is second to none.
So you’re in high school, about to step into college, but you don’t want to leave soccer behind. In fact, you’re hoping to get a scholarship at one of the best D1 soccer colleges in the USA.
Today, we’ll help you make that decision. This article dives into the best colleges for soccer scholarships in the USA, highlighting the best D1 soccer colleges and the best women’s soccer colleges.
Table of Content
What are Soccer Scholarships?
Soccer scholarships are offered to students who are exceptionally skilled and full of potential in soccer.
With a soccer scholarship, students can pursue their higher education while playing competitively in college.
The scholarship can cover full or partial tuition, accommodation, books, and other expenses, depending on the level of the scholarship and other factors.
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10 Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships in USA
Below, we shall examine the 10 best colleges for soccer scholarships in the USA (in no particular order). The ranking is based on the NCAA Power Rankings.
Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #1: Stanford University
Stanford University is home to a powerhouse NCAA D1 soccer program. As one of the best D1 soccer colleges in the U.S., Stanford offers athletic scholarships to outstanding players, and its men’s and women’s teams have consistently ranked among the best in the country.
Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #2: Princeton University
As a member of the Ivy League, Princeton University does not offer traditional athletic scholarships. However, it provides general scholarships that might include athletic prowess as an added advantage. The Princeton men’s soccer team boasts of winning multiple Ivy League championships.
Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #3: Harvard University
Harvard University’s women’s soccer program boasts 13 Ivy League championships, producing players who have advanced to national teams. One of the best women’s soccer colleges, Harvard offers financial aid that encompasses athletic skills.
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Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #4: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
With 33 varsity sports teams, MIT has the largest DIII athletics program in the United States. Their scholarships are offered based on both academic and athletic skills.
Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #5: University of California (UCLA)
UCLA is a prominent NCAA D1 institution offering athletic scholarships to outstanding student-athletes. The men’s soccer program is one of the most successful in the nation, with multiple NCAA championships and a history of producing professional players.
Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #6: University of Michigan
Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the University of Michigan’s men’s soccer program was established in 2000 and has quickly become competitive, offering scholarships to exceptional students.
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Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships #7: Yale
Yale University is another Ivy League institution offering up to 100% financial scholarships to students who meet the criteria. Yale’s men’s soccer team competes as one of the best D1 soccer colleges and holds a strong reputation for balancing athletic determination with academic excellence.
Top Colleges Offering Soccer Scholarships #8: University of California (Berkeley)
The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as Cal, boasts a strong men’s soccer team competing since 1906. Cal’s Golden Bears men’s soccer team has made 18 appearances in the NCAA D1 Men’s Soccer Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight in 1960, 2005, and 2013. Cal’s soccer program consists of men’s and women’s teams. The women’s team ranks among the best in the US, and both teams offer athletic scholarships to outstanding students.
Colleges with Soccer Scholarship Opportunities #9: University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) offers need-based financial aid, which might include athletic prowess as an added advantage. The men’s soccer team boasts multiple Ivy League titles and NCAA tournament appearances and is also among the nation’s best D1 soccer colleges.
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Colleges with Soccer Scholarship Opportunities #10: Indiana University
Indiana University holds a high standard as one of the premier collegiate soccer programs in the U.S. Since its establishment as a varsity sport in 1973, the Indiana Hoosiers men’s soccer team has achieved unparalleled success. The program offers scholarships for men’s soccer to support players who contribute significantly to the team’s success.
As a recap, the table below shows the top 10 best scholarships for soccer in the USA that we’ve discussed in this section:
| No. | Top 10 Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships | Location |
| 1. | Stanford University | Stanford, California |
| 2. | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey |
| 3. | Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 4. | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 5. | University of California (UCLA) | Los Angeles, California |
| 6. | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 7. | Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut |
| 8. | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 9. | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 10. | Indiana University | Bloomington and Indianapolis |
Fully Funded Soccer Scholarships for Best D1 Soccer Colleges
If you’re looking for fully funded soccer scholarships to one of the best D1 soccer colleges in the USA, below are some that you can key into:
- NSHSS Student Athlete Scholarships
- Big Sun Scholarships
- OnPoint Community Credit Union Scholar Program
- BigFuture Scholarships—Class of 2026
- Fisher Cats Foundation Scholar-Athlete Scholarships
- Massachusetts Youth Soccer Scholarship Program
- Eastleigh FC Football Academy (U17-U19)
Fully funded soccer scholarships may be offered by schools, government bodies, foundations or other independent entities. Their standards are usually very high and competitive; hence, it’s important to sharpen your soccer skills before applying. Use your senior year to prepare adequately for better chances of securing at least one of the fully funded soccer scholarships.
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Best Women’s Soccer Colleges
Are you looking to play women’s soccer in college? According to the NCAA women’s soccer ranking 2024, some of the best women’s soccer colleges are:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Stanford University offers athletic scholarships for soccer to outstanding players. They offer fully funded soccer scholarships and other partial scholarships. Stanford is one of the best D1 soccer colleges in the U.S.
Some of the best colleges to go to for soccer in the USA include Stanford University, Indiana University, Yale University, Princeton, Denver, Harvard, etc. You can also get external, fully funded soccer scholarships to get into some of these schools.
As of 2025, there are currently 333 NCAA DI women’s soccer colleges and 205 NCAA D1 men’s soccer colleges in the US.
According to the NCAA men’s soccer ranking 2024, some of the best D1 soccer colleges for men’s soccer in the U.S. are Vermont, Denver, Ohio St., Pittsburgh, Marshall, Stanford, Duke Yale, Princeton, Indiana, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Harvard, etc.
Conclusion: Attend One of the Best Colleges for Soccer Scholarships in the USA
Soccer can open up diverse opportunities for you. If you’re still in high school and you play soccer, now’s the best time to keep honing your skills so you can attend one of the best D1 soccer colleges in the USA.
There are also fully funded soccer scholarships offered by independent bodies that you can start looking into and preparing for. We’ve listed some of these fully funded soccer scholarships in this article, so go over them and determine the most suitable for your skillset and level of experience.
You can do it! You can qualify for one of the best colleges for scholarships in the USA. All you have to do is start now!
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References
- www.ncsasports.org – Top Soccer Colleges
- www.scholarships360.org – Top 16 Soccer Scholarships in May 2025
- www.eastleighfc.com – Scholarships (U17-U19)
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org – California Golden Bears men’s soccer
- www.herndonyouthsoccer.demosphere-secure.com – Comparison of Different College Soccer Levels
- www.ncaa.com – Men’s Soccer
