If you are a student-athlete whose dream is to play at a collegiate level, you may already be looking at NCAA Division 1 schools. Not surprisingly, since D1 schools are more popular and have bigger athletic program budgets. You’re probably not searching for Division 2 schools near me since they have fewer schools than D1 and Division 3. With nearly 300 schools, a D2 school may be a fit if you want the best of both worlds: less expensive than a D1 institution with a better balance of academics and competition overall. Sounding better? Read on for the Top 3 D2 schools that have the best acceptance rate.

Top 3 NCAA Division 2 Schools Near Me
- Cameron University
This public university in Lawton, OK has the Cameron Aggies as its athletic team that participates in 14 varsity sports, including D2 Men’s and Women’s basketball, cross-country, and golf. As a D1 team in the past, it won three District IX Men’s basketball championships in the 1970s and a football national championship in the 1980s. With its 100% acceptance rate, tops this list. Half of the applicants admitted to Cameron University had an ACT average score of
16-21.
- Adams State University
If you live near Alamosa, CO, the Adams State Grizzlies may want you. The D2 school’s athletic team has garnered over 946 All-Americans and many more national championships. With its 99.8% acceptance rate, Adams State University is a close second. It isn’t highly selective, requiring just a GPA of 3.18 (B-average students. However, admissions officials may see a C or D as your inability to handle college.
- Missouri Western State University
If you hit Missouri Western State University when searching “Division 2 schools near me,” it could be the perfect school for you. The good news is the Missouri Western Griffons compete in Division 2 sports, including basketball, football (Men’s), and volleyball (Women’s). Its 73.9% acceptance rate may put it last on this Top 3 list. If you have a 2.5 high school GPA, you’re still eligible for admission.

Why Choose a Division 2 School Near Me?
Naturally, high school student-athletes dream of being accepted into an NCAA Division 1 school (and Empowerly can help you with that goal). However, if your situation calls for a more practical choice due to your GPA or test score, the schools above aren’t unacceptable because they have high admission rates. Another consideration is that D2 athletes enjoy the advantages of more free time (it is less a full-time job like D1) and more play time (smaller chance of sitting on the bench for 2-3 years). If this sounds like a better fit for you, be sure to check out the three schools above, among many others.
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