When it comes to college soccer recruitment, not all opportunities are created equal. While both boys and girls face challenges in getting recruited, the landscape is vastly different—especially when it comes to scholarship availability, roster spots, and the overall number of programs at the NCAA Division 1 and 2 levels.

Many athletes go into the recruitment process thinking they’re going to land a “full-ride” scholarship, but the reality is that most soccer players don’t get a full scholarship—especially on the men’s side. Understanding the differences between men’s and women’s recruitment is crucial for setting realistic expectations and finding the best path to playing at the next level.

1. The Scholarship Gap: Why Women Have More Scholarship Opportunities

One of the biggest differences between men’s and women’s college soccer comes down to scholarship availability.

NCAA Scholarship Limits:

    •    Women’s D1 soccer: Up to 14 full scholarships per team

    •    Men’s D1 soccer: Up to 9.9 full scholarships per team

    •    Women’s D2 soccer: Up to 9.9 full scholarships per team

    •    Men’s D2 soccer: Up to 9 full scholarships per team

This means women’s soccer teams have more scholarship money to offer than men’s programs, which makes a huge difference in financial aid packages for recruited players.

But why the imbalance?

Title IX & The Football Effect

Title IX requires schools to provide equal opportunities for men’s and women’s sports. However, because football is an all-male sport with massive scholarship numbers (up to 85 scholarships at the D1 level), schools have to balance things out by offering more scholarships in women’s sports.

Since most colleges don’t have a men’s soccer program that brings in major revenue, men’s soccer scholarships are more limited compared to women’s soccer.

2. The Numbers Game: More Women’s Programs, Fewer Men’s Spots

Another major difference is the number of teams at the D1 level:

    •    D1 Men’s Soccer Programs: 205 teams

    •    D1 Women’s Soccer Programs: 351 teams

That’s 146 more D1 women’s teams than men’s teams!

This means that there are significantly more opportunities for women to play at the D1 level than for men. On the men’s side, with fewer teams and fewer scholarships, the competition for roster spots and scholarship money is much higher.

For men’s soccer players, this means:

✅ A smaller number of available roster spots

✅ Even fewer players getting scholarship money

✅ More competition for limited opportunities

For women’s soccer players, while the recruiting process is still competitive, there are simply more chances to play at the highest level compared to the men’s side.

3. The “Full Ride Bust” Mentality: Why Players Need to Get Realistic

Many athletes (and parents) enter the recruiting process believing that if they’re good enough, they’ll land a full-ride scholarship. But in reality, full rides in college soccer are extremely rare—especially for men.

Breaking Down the Numbers

    •    Since D1 men’s soccer teams only have 9.9 scholarships, they almost always divide them up among multiple players.

    •    The best-case scenario for most players is a partial scholarship covering a portion of tuition, room, and board.

    •    Even top recruits don’t always get full rides—many players receive 25-50% scholarships rather than a full one.

Women’s soccer players have a slightly better chance at getting a full ride because of the higher number of available scholarships, but even then, most coaches still divide up scholarships among multiple players.

This is why players need to drop the “full ride or nothing” mentality and start looking at the total cost of attendance. Sometimes, a smaller D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO school might actually give a better financial aid package than a partial D1 offer.

4. What This Means for Your College Soccer Recruiting Process

If you’re serious about playing college soccer, you need to go into the process with a realistic mindset:

✅ Stop assuming you’ll get a full-ride scholarship – It’s extremely rare, especially for men’s soccer players.

✅ Understand the scholarship differences between men’s and women’s programs – Women’s soccer has more available scholarships, while men’s soccer has fewer teams and fewer spots.

✅ Focus on finding the best overall fit – Instead of chasing a “full-ride,” look at the combination of athletic scholarships, academic aid, and other financial packages.

✅ Expand your options beyond just D1 – There are competitive and well-funded soccer programs at D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels that may offer a better experience.

The biggest mistake you can make in the recruiting process is limiting yourself to unrealistic expectations. If your only goal is to get a full-ride to a D1 school, you might end up with nothing instead of finding a great fit at another level.

Final Thoughts: Be Open-Minded & Strategic

The college soccer recruiting process is different for men and women, and understanding these differences can help you make smarter decisions about your future.

For men’s players: Competition is tougher, scholarships are fewer, and playing time is harder to come by at the D1 level. Be open to D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO options, where you may actually get more playing time, a better scholarship deal, and a better overall experience.

For women’s players: There are more opportunities at the D1 level, but that doesn’t mean scholarships are automatic. You still need to work hard, market yourself, and find a program that fits your needs as a player and student.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to “play D1” or “get a full ride.” The goal is to find a school where you’ll thrive both on and off the field. Get rid of the “full-ride bust mentality” and focus on finding the best overall opportunity for your future.