If you are a student looking to continue playing sports in college, you have several options. If you just want to play for fun, joining one your schools’ intramural sports teams is a great option. But if you are looking to play competitively and earn an athletic scholarship, you are probably considering an NCAA or NAIA program. For students who want a chance at winning an athletic scholarship and focusing on their studies, NCAA Division II (D2) colleges may be a great fit.
There are around 300 college with D2 athletic classifications. In this list, we highlight the top 25 “Hidden Gem” D2 colleges! To make this list, schools must meet the following criteria:
- Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year.
- Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
- Offer 5 or more unique majors.
- Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher.
- Be classified as Division II (D2) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
2025 Top 25 Hidden Gem D2 Colleges
Hillsdale’s motto is “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” or “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” The school has a high 96% first year retention rate and a low 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. All students who attend are required to take courses on the “Great Books,” the United States Constitution, and Science courses. 72% of students will graduate within 4 years.
Location
Hillsdale, MI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,678
Saint Anselm College is the third oldest Catholic college in New England, having been founded in 1889. The school has been the site of presidential policy speeches from John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon as well as several national presidential debates. 100% of students receive institutional aid from the school ($27,311 on average).
Location
Manchester, NH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,977
Founded in 1937, Westmont College’s motto is Christus Primatum Tenens, which is Latin for “Christ Holding Preeminence.” The school was initially a Bible Missionary Institute but would become Westmont College only three years later. Student athletes are known as the Warriors and wear maroon, gold, and white. Westmont is part of the Golden State Athletic Conference.
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,284
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) accepted nearly 82% of applicants during the last admissions cycle. The school was founded in 1902 as the Pacific Bible College, and underwent several name changes before arriving at its current moniker in 1998. There are currently 200 athletes and PLNU competes in the Pacific West Conference.
Location
San Diego, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,319
The Dominican University of California is one of the oldest universities in California, having been founded in 1890. Registered Nursing is the most popular major among undergraduates, followed by Computer Programming. 91% of students receive institutional grants from the school. Student athletes are known as the Penguins (wearing black, gold, and white), and are cheered on by Chilly the Penguin.
Location
San Rafael, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,877
Union University athletes are known as the Bulldogs. They’ve won several championships while part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division I. Today, they compete in Division II in the Gulf South Conference. Union is a fairly selective school, having accepted nearly 53% of applicants in the last admissions cycle. Registered Nursing is the most sought after undergraduate major.
Location
Jackson, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,731
Since 2017, Biola University has competed primarily in the Pacific West Conference. Athletes are known as the Eagles, and wear red, white, and black. Some popular sports include soccer, track and field, and water polo. Alumni have gone on to participate in professional baseball, basketball, and rock climbing. Other alumni have entered careers in directing, acting, writing, and politics. The school’s motto is, “Above All Give Glory to God.”
Location
La Mirada, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
5,387
More than 30% of students attending Saint Michael’s College participate in the school’s 20+ varsity teams. For students not interested in the obligations of a varsity team, but still want to participate, Saint Michael’s also offers club sports, intramurals, recreation, and ski pass programs. The most popular major for undergraduates is Business Administration and Management, followed by Biology.
Location
Colchester, VT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,399
At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Registered Nursing, Biology, Business Administration, and Elementary Education are the top 4 most popular majors on campus, and the school has a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% of students attending Augustana receive institutional aid to help pay for college.
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,086
99% of students who attend Rockhurst University receive institutional grant aid from the school ($29,558 on average). Former alumni have gone on to have careers in politics, professional sports, law, and acting. Popular sports among student athletes, known as the Hawks, include baseball, gold, lacrosse, and soccer. Rockhurt’s motto is Sapientia Aedificavit Sibi Domum', which is Latin for “Wisdom has built herself a home.”
Location
Kansas City, MO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,405
In the last admissions cycle, Harding University accepted just over 45% of applicants – nearly 80% of accepted students decided to attend the following fall. 97% of students attending Harding receive institutional grant aid to help them afford tuition. Student athletes are known as the Bisons, and they wear black and gold. Harding University competes in the Great American Conference for football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Location
Searcy, AR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,805
Seton Hill University was originally known as Seton Hill Schools when it opened in 1885 and started as a women’s college. It only became co-educational in 2002 – as a result, a majority of the student body are women (65.9%). Common majors for undergraduates include Pre-Physician Assistant, Business Administration and Management, and Biology. Student athletes are known as the Griffins and compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Location
Greensburg, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,988
Originally known as the North Missouri Normal and Commercial School when founded in 1867, the school was renamed the Truman State University (TSU) in 1996 after U.S. President Harry Truman. Truman was a Missouri native. Athletes, wearing purple and white, are known as the Bulldogs. The women’s swimming and diving team have won seven NCAA national championships.
Location
Kirksville, MO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
3,960
A member of the South Atlantic Conference, Anderson University announced that the school would be adding a football team for the 2024 season. Other popular sports include lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and track and field. Registered Nursing is the most popular major for students seeking an undergraduate degree, followed by Business Administration and Management and Elementary Education and Teaching.
Location
Anderson, SC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,121
Westminster College became Westminster University in 2023. Over 50 Olympians have studied at Westminster – and have won 10 medals. In the 2014 Olympics, 23 Westminster students were part of Team USA – 18 in 2018. Registered Nursing is the most sought after program at the university, followed by Research and Experimental Psychology, Biology, Finance, and Neuroscience.
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,280
Ouachita Baptist University, associated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, first opened in 1886. Athletes are known as the Tigers, and more than 460 athletes wear purple and gold while competing in football, baseball, soccer, swimming, and other sports. 100% of students attending OBU receive institutional grant aid ($18,328 on average per student), and athletes can be eligible for athletic scholarships ($6,704 per student on average).
Location
Arkadelphia, AR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,784
Eckerd College is a liberal arts school that sits on a mile long waterfront on the Gulf Coast. The school has a 79% acceptance rate and 77% first year retention rate. Top majors for students are Marine Biology, Biological Oceanography, and Environmental Students.
Location
Saint Petersburg, FL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,993
A Catholic liberal arts school, Assumption University has an 87% acceptance rate. Around 550 student athletes, known as the Greyhounds, compete in the Northeast 10 Conference in Track and Field, Football, Baseball, and Lacrosse are among others. The school has a 71% four year graduation rate and 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Location
Worcester, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,059
Although the University of Mary calls North Dakota its home, campuses can be found all over the world, including in Rome, Italy and Arequipa, Peru. They accept 78% of applicants, have a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an 80% first year retention rate. Its campus is located next to the Missouri River.
Location
Bismark, ND
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,652
Azusa Pacific, a Christian college founded in 1899, offers students over 150 degree programs. The school has a 79% acceptance rate, 78% first year retention rate, and 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The APU Cougars compete in the Pacific West Conference in 10 different varsity sports.
Location
Azusa, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,169
Northwood University, "America's Free-Enterprise University," has over 15 majors programs for student; the most popular being Digital Communication, Information Science, and International Business. Student athletes compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and their mascot is the Timberwolf.
Location
Midland, MI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,246
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) was founded in 1891 and has a Free Methodist Church affiliation. SPU has a 91% acceptance rate, 79% first year retention rate, and 98% of attending students will receive institutional aid. Top majors among students are Registered Nursing, Psychology, and Business/Commerce.
Location
Seattle, WA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,118
Mississippi College is the second oldest Baptist-affiliated higher education school in the United States. It’s also the oldest college in the state, predating the Civil War. The school accepts 49% of applicants and it is free to apply. The top two majors for students are Registered Nursing and Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Location
Clinton, MS
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,946
Maryville University of Saint Louis offers over 90 degree programs and features six colleges and schools. Many students study Registered Nursing, Psychology, and Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare. The Maryville Saints compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 13 different varsity sports.
Location
St. Louis, MO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,959
Drury University, affiliated with the Disciples of Christ Church, has a 59% acceptance rate and it costs undergraduates $0 to apply. The most popular majors among its students are Architecture, Biochemistry, and Biology/Biology Sciences. The Drury Panthers compete in 21 different NCAA Division II sports in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Location
Springfield, MO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,595
Does one of these D2 schools sound good to you? Register now for College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool. You’ll find schools that match your academic and future career goals, plus you’ll see your acceptance odds and an estimate of how much it will cost for you to attend.
What Does D2 Mean?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is an organization that regulates student athletics throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. There are several divisions under the NCAA, including Division III or D3, Division II or D2, and Division I or D1.
D2 colleges and universities offer some athletic scholarships for their student-athletes. This is in contrast to D3, who doesn’t offer athletic scholarships, and D1, who tends to have more money and more awards for their athletes.
Around 300 schools are classified as D2. They include a mix of liberal arts colleges, private schools, large universities, small colleges, and more. Some of the conferences in D2 include Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Gulf South Conference (GSC), and Lone Star Conference (LSC).
Why Choose a D2 Hidden Gem College?
The Division II hidden gem colleges and universities on this list have several benefits:
- They offer a balanced approach to academics and sports for student-athletes. They can be a fantastic choice for students who love to play their favorite sport competitively but also want a solid education and an overall well-rounded college experience.
- D2 schools can also offer merit aid and merit based scholarships, as well as need-based grants and financial aid programs for students who demonstrate financial need.
- D2 schools also tend to have smaller class sizes, smaller campuses, and fewer students attending overall compared to D1 colleges.
- The Schools on this list tend to have higher acceptance rates making them easier to get into. In fact, 18 out of the 25 schools on this list have a 65% acceptance rate or higher.
- They tend to be more affordable, especially when you add up scholarships you may be able to win, plus merit and other get grant aid that you may be eligible for. Bonus: half the schools on this list have $0 application fees for undergraduate students!
D2 colleges and universities are an excellent choice for students who want the best of both worlds: athletics and academics. They’re competitive on the field with solid learning experiences in the classroom. If sports are important to you in your college experience, a D2 school may be a great option for you.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
