8 Best Colleges For Track And Field Scholarships

If you participate in track and field competitions while in high school, I’ve got good news for you. Your passion for track and field as a high school athlete has finally paid off because there are colleges that offer scholarships for high school track and field athletes and since you are one, you can apply for admission into one of these colleges and be awarded the scholarship. Let’s get started.

As a high school student looking to continue their education, it will do you a lot of good if you get involved in some extracurricular activities whether in your school or your community. This is because many colleges use this, along with high school grades, to assess every application for admission into that college.

Your participation in an extracurricular activity will increase your chances of getting accepted into a college over those who never participated in an extracurricular activity. It also presents an opportunity for you to be considered for an entrance scholarship which could cover the entire cost of your education. If the extracurricular activity is a sport then you can be awarded a sports scholarship as well if you demonstrate outstanding athletic performance.

If I am not mistaken, nearly every high school athlete who wants to pursue a college degree is looking to win an athletic scholarship to support the cost of their education whilst they play the sports they love. In my books, this is like the biggest win-win situation of the century. Attending one of the top colleges or universities in the country and pursuing an academic degree program of your choice while playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, or whatever sports you like on a scholarship.

Just in case you didn’t know, high school athletes who want to further their education are usually sought-after by some of the top colleges in the country. This is because the student will join the varsity team of that college and participate in national and international competitions that will bring a reputation to the university.

Some schools offer athletic scholarships to attract some of the finest student-athletes from across the country. So, if you are a high school athlete looking for a sports scholarship it’d be best if you apply for colleges that offer scholarships in the sports you play and also has a team that competes in national and international championships.

If you are a high school athlete actively participating in track and field events at your school and want to further your education and sports into college, you could win a track and field scholarship to fund your education. You need not look for these colleges as I have compiled a list of the best colleges for track and field scholarships.

These colleges are both reputable in academics and track and field sports which makes them the perfect place for high school athletes who are into track & field.

best colleges for track and field scholarships

Best Colleges for Track and Field Scholarships

The guide here will provide you with information to help you in your decision-making process on which college to keep playing track & field while pursuing a degree program that is covered by a scholarship. This is where you sit back, relax, and read through to discover your perfect match in the world of college track and field.

The following are the best colleges for track and field scholarships:

1.     Stanford University

This is one of the best universities in the world with a global reputation so massive that it is often mistaken for one of the Ivy Leagues, but of course, Stanford is on par with Ivy League schools. Stanford University is at the forefront of innovation and academic excellence offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as online courses.

But one great thing about this school is that it still takes sports very seriously and leads one of the best collegiate teams in the US. Student-athletes of Stanford University enjoy athletic scholarships that cover the entire 4-years of their education. The college has a reputable track and field team in men and women categories and if you meet the requirements, you can join them.

This makes Stanford University one of the best colleges for track and field scholarships but getting into the university and the track and field team are both highly competitive.

2.     The University of Florida

Here is another reputable higher institution in the US known for its innovation in education, eye-opening discoveries, and healthcare center. The University of Florida should be one of your top options if you are looking for a college to continue your journey in track and field while studying for a world-class reputable degree.

The track and field program at the University of Florida is a reputable one and offers several scholarships every year to new and returning student-athletes which helps to offset or cover the entire cost of their education. The institution also features state-of-the-art facilities including a recently renovated track and stadium.

3.     Pitzer College

Pitzer College is a private liberal arts college located in Claremont, California ranked at No.33 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the US according to US News and World Report. If you are a high school track and field athlete and want to further your education in social sciences, behavioral sciences, international programs, and media studies then Pitzer College should be on your top list of colleges to apply to.

The college’s track and field team has a reputation in California and competes in national and international competitions. There are several athlete scholarships for track and field team members who may be new or returning students. Also, just like the first two universities, Pitzer College is incredibly hard to get into with an acceptance rate of 18%.

4.     Indiana University East

This public postsecondary institution is located in Richmond, Indiana, and leads the region as the premier 4-year and master’s public institution in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. The institution is known for having both a traditional campus and a virtual campus with select online degree completion programs. The institution covers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs that new students will find exciting.

IU East is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) which means they compete in national and international competitions which is a big deal for high school athletes and an opportunity for them to showcase their talents and capture the eye of big teams. IU East participates in 15 NAIA athletics programs including men’s & women’s outdoor track and field.

New and returning students may join the track and field team and be eligible for an athletic scholarship that could cover the entire cost of their education at IU East.

5.     The University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is a public research university situated in Eugene, Oregon with over 17,000 domestic and international students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The institution ranks in the top 20 (or top 20 percent) nationally in such varied fields as education, environmental law, landscape architecture, psychology, sports marketing, sustainable business practices, creative writing, and many more.

No other university in the US is better known for its track and field programs other than the University of Oregon. The university is legendary in track and field and has produced numerous Olympic medalists over the years. Talented high school athletes in track and field coming to the University of Oregon are awarded scholarships to recognize their talents but they must have an intent to join the team and participate in competitions and other related events.

6.     The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This is the first public university in the US and a leader in innovative teaching and overall quality academics. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is considered to be one of the “Public Ivies” and extremely generous when it comes to athletic scholarships.

There are 28 varsity athletic programs at Chapel Hill, which include track and field, and over 500 student-athletes are on some type of athletic scholarship. This presents an opportunity for high school athletes who want to continue competing in track and field competitions whilst pursuing a college degree to consider applying for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

7.     The University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is a public land-grant research university that has been operating for more than 150 years. It is one of the few universities and colleges with the highest research classification. U of A awards generous scholarships to nearly all of their student-athletes and if you are looking to join the track and field team, then there is a scholarship for you.

Aside from the scholarship, the university has a long history of success in track and field with numerous national championships under its belt. As a member of the varsity team, you will have the opportunity to compete in national and international competitions.

8.     The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA is among the top 20 universities in the US and has a global reputation as one of the best universities in the world. The university is also generous in athletic scholarships and annually offers 285 full athletic scholarships to outstanding student-athletes across all sports programs which also includes track and field.

UCLA should be on your list of best colleges for track and field scholarships but you must have an excellent academic record and athletic abilities to be considered for the award.

Conclusion

To recap, the best colleges for track and field scholarships are among the best higher institutions in the world, and getting into them won’t be easy. Many of the institutions on this list have low acceptance rates so, getting in is a struggle. To get into the university and its varsity team, you must maintain excellent academic performance and athletic abilities. This is also the criteria to be considered for a track and field scholarship.

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