For decades, college athletics were heavily male-dominated. But today, thanks to Title IX and continued investment in women’s programs, the landscape looks very different. Opportunities for female athletes are growing faster than ever, with more scholarships, more teams, and more support systems designed to help women succeed at the college level.

From soccer and volleyball to golf, basketball, and softball, women’s college sports are expanding nationwide. This means more chances for female student-athletes to earn scholarships, compete at a high level, and use their athletic ability to open doors to higher education.

Here’s how the growth of women’s college sports is shaping the future of athletic scholarships and what it means for the next generation of athletes.

The Power of Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act was passed in 1972 to prohibit discrimination based on sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. While it does not specifically mention athletics, it has become one of the most impactful pieces of legislation in sports history.

Before Title IX, women made up less than 10 percent of all college athletes. Today, that number has risen to over 44 percent, with participation continuing to climb every year (Source: NCAA Research, 2024).

This massive shift has resulted in thousands of new opportunities for female athletes. Colleges are required to provide equitable funding and resources for men’s and women’s programs, which has led to the creation of new teams, expanded facilities, and increased scholarship availability.

Title IX has not only balanced the playing field, it has changed the culture of college sports entirely.

More Teams, More Scholarships

As schools expand their women’s athletic programs, scholarship opportunities have followed. NCAA Division I and II programs now offer thousands of scholarships each year for female athletes across more than 20 sports.

Top Women’s Scholarship Sports in the NCAA:

• Soccer: Around 333 Division I programs, each offering up to 14 scholarships per team.
• Volleyball: Over 330 Division I teams, with 12 full scholarships available per roster.
• Basketball: 349 Division I programs offering 15 full scholarships per team.
• Softball: Over 290 Division I teams, with 12 full scholarships per team.
• Track & Field/Cross Country: Nearly 350 Division I schools, each with 18 scholarships to distribute.
  (Source: NCAA Scholarship Limits, 2024)

While men’s programs are often classified as equivalency sports (where scholarships are split among athletes), many women’s programs are headcount sports. This means those athletes receive full scholarships rather than partial ones, giving female players greater financial stability.

Fastest Growing College Sports for Women

While traditional sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball continue to dominate, several newer or smaller programs have experienced rapid growth thanks to increased support and visibility.

1. Women’s Flag Football

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing college sports for women. Supported by the NFL and NAIA schools, dozens of colleges now offer competitive programs, and the NCAA is reviewing it for emerging-sport status.

2. Women’s Wrestling

Women’s wrestling has exploded in popularity over the past five years. With more than 140 college programs across the U.S., scholarship opportunities are expanding at a record pace.

3. Acrobatics and Tumbling

This sport, recognized as an emerging NCAA discipline, has become a legitimate scholarship path for gymnasts and cheer athletes transitioning into college athletics.

4. Golf and Tennis

Both sports continue to provide strong scholarship availability, particularly at Division II, NAIA, and JUCO levels, where teams actively recruit international athletes.

5. Beach Volleyball

Once limited to a handful of programs, women’s beach volleyball now has over 100 collegiate teams, and more schools are joining every season.

How NIL Has Opened Even More Doors

In addition to athletic scholarships, women are also benefiting from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

NIL has given female athletes a powerful new way to earn money and build personal brands while still in college. Many brands have shifted focus to sponsor women’s sports, creating endorsement deals in fashion, fitness, wellness, and social media.

According to data from SportsPro, female athletes make up 52% of top 100 college stars with NIL deals across the country.

NIL allows female athletes to combine scholarship support with sponsorship income, turning their college career into both an educational and financial opportunity.

International Athletes Are Joining the Movement

The growth of women’s college sports is not limited to the U.S. More international athletes are being recruited to American universities than ever before, especially in sports like soccer, tennis, golf, and track and field.

Schools often offer athletic and academic scholarships to international players who meet eligibility and admissions standards. For female athletes abroad, this provides an incredible chance to combine education, athletics, and travel.

At ASM Sports, we’ve seen a significant rise in international female athletes earning opportunities to compete in the U.S., as we continue to connect them with college coaches and scholarship programs across the country.

The Future of Women’s College Sports

The next decade of women’s college sports looks brighter than ever. Participation, viewership, and investment are all trending upward. Major networks are increasing coverage of women’s championships, and universities are committing resources to equality in facilities and promotion.

New sports will continue to gain NCAA recognition, and more scholarships will follow. As younger generations of female athletes rise through high school and club levels, they will find more open doors than any generation before them.

For families, coaches, and athletes, the message is clear: women’s college sports are thriving, and so are the opportunities that come with them.