List of schools reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I

The following is a list of United States colleges and universities that are either in the process of reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I, or have announced future plans to do the same.

Current reclassifications These schools have begun the formal Division I reclassification process. On January 16, 2025, the NCAA announced that it was lessening the reclassification period for schools, by one year, with schools already in the process of reclassifying to Division I being given the option to use either the new, shorter period or the original, longer period they initially agreed to. The new reclassification period will be three years instead of the previous four for schools transitioning from Division II and four years instead of the previous five for schools transitioning from Division III.

West Georgia has announced that it will seek to reclassify under the new three-year transition process. Mercyhurst is also potentially eligible for the three-year transition period. New Haven and West Florida entered the transition process after the three-year period was instituted.

Institution name Teams Former classification Current conferences Transition FullCommonDivisionConferencePrimaryOthersStartEnd University of West Georgia West Georgia Wolves II Gulf South Conference Atlantic Sun Conference United Athletic Conference 2024–25 2027–28 Mercyhurst University Mercyhurst Lakers Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference NEC Atlantic Hockey America 2028–29 University of New Haven New Haven Chargers Northeast-10 Conference NEC 2025–26 2028–29University of West FloridaWest FloridaArgonautsGulf South ConferenceAtlantic Sun ConferenceUnited Athletic Conference2026–272029–30

Reclassifying to Division III This is limited to Division I schools that have announced plans to classify to Division III. Institution Athletics Current Division I conference Future Division III conference Start year Active Notes Full CommonSaint Francis UniversitySaint Francis (PA)Red WolvesNECPresidents' Athletic Conference2026–272029–30

References