For international student-athletes eyeing a move to the United States, the burgeoning college rugby scene presents an exciting pathway. With the USA set to host the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033, the sport's profile and opportunities continue to skyrocket.
However, unlike many other collegiate sports governed by the NCAA, college rugby operates under a slightly more intricate structure, primarily through two key organizations: the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) and National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). There are incredible opportunities for aspiring players to play for programs across both bodies, with the standard and level of competition improving year on year. Understanding the nuances between these bodies is helpful in broadening your understanding on how collegiate rugby operates in the States, and guiding prospective student-athletes on their journey to securing a dream rugby scholarship.
CRAA: The Spring Championship Landscape
The Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) oversees the premier divisions of both men’s and women’s collegiate rugby. This includes the highly competitive Men’s D1A and Women’s D1A divisions, as well as other divisions like Men’s D1AA, Women’s D1, and Women’s D2.
- Competition Season: A defining characteristic of CRAA is its Spring championship season for 15s rugby. Teams compete throughout the academic year, culminating in playoffs and national championship finals in the spring months.
- Leading Programs: In the men's game, D1A is the top level of collegiate rugby alongside NCR D1. Rugby powerhouses include the title record holders University of California, who will contest this year's final, and Life University, their opponent in the 2025 championship match and back-to-back winners in the 2018-19 seasons (with a team that included our very own Head of Rugby Jamie Berrisford!). Other consistently strong programs within CRAA include Saint Mary’s University, Lindenwood University, and Navy University.
- Women's Game: The top tier of the women’s game in the CRAA, Women’s D1A, mirrors the competitiveness of the men’s division. In the 2025 Championship Final, Lindenwood University emerged victorious against Life University. Other prominent programs in the Women's D1 division include Stanford University who recently triumphed in their respective final.
- Conferences: Men’s D1A encompasses over 40 teams spread across seven distinct conferences, fostering regional rivalries and diverse playing styles.
- 15s and 7s Rugby: CRAA institutions actively participate in both the traditional 15s format and the fast-paced Olympic sport of 7s rugby. While the 15s season culminates in the Spring, 7s tournaments are often played in the Fall and Spring, with a separate national championship series.
Current Top Rankings: Men’s D1A
1. Life University
2. University of California
3. Lindenwood University
4. Navy University
5. Saint Mary’s University
6. Central Washington University
7. Army University
8. UCLA
9. University of Arizona
10. Cal Poly
11. Mount Saint Mary’s University
12. Brigham Young University
13. Penn State University
14. Davenport University
15. Arkansas State University
16. University of Mary Washington
17. Colorado State University
18. Grand Canyon University
19. Ohio State University
20. Air Force University
NCR: The Fall Focus
National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) represents the other significant organizing body within college rugby. Their Division 1 is also seen as a highly competitive level, with increasing strength in depth across many successful programs. A key differentiator lies in their competition calendar.
- Competition Season: NCR’s 15s national championship takes place in the Fall. This difference in the competition timeline is a crucial factor for prospective students to consider based on their playing background and preferences.
- Leading Programs: In the men's NCR Division 1, Brown University has established itself as a leading force, having clinched their second national title in three years by defeating Queen’s University Charlotte in the 2024 final. Other highly ranked teams in NCR include St. Bonaventure, Wheeling University and Walsh University.
- Women's Game: The NCR also boasts a competitive women's division, with Wheeling University and Southern Nazarene currently holding top rankings.
- Conferences: NCR features several prominent conferences exclusive to its structure, including the Liberty Conference, Big Rivers Conference, and the Southern Conference.
- 15s and 7s Rugby: Similar to CRAA, NCR-affiliated schools also field teams in both 15s and 7s rugby, with 7s competitions often running alongside or outside the main 15s season.
Current Rankings: Men’s D1
1. Brown University
2. Queen’s
3. St. Bonaventure
4. Wheeling University
5. Walsh University
6. Thomas More University
7. American International College
8. Kutztown University
9. University of Notre Dame
10. Dartmouth University
11. Belmont Abbey
12. Principia University
13. Indiana University
14. Sienna College
15. Iowa Central
16. Marian University
17. Fairfield University
18. University of Wisconsin
19. Aquinas College
20. Southern Nazarene
Current Rankings: Women’s D1
1. Wheeling
2. Southern Nazarene
3. Virginia
4. Northeastern
5. Northern Iowa
6. Michigan
7. Purdue
8. Colorado
9. St. Bonaventure
10. Walsh
The Ivy League and Collegiate Rugby
The prestigious Ivy League institutions hold a unique position in the collegiate rugby landscape. These academically renowned universities primarily compete within the NCR structure. Teams like reigning champions Brown University and Dartmouth University are consistently ranked among the top NCR programs, showcasing the high level of rugby played within the Ivy League, while Yale University – who count former President George W Bush among their famous alum - has highly regarded rugby programs across the men’s and women’s game.
Craig Wilson, Director or Rugby at Yale University, describes the schedule his teams will play:
“Our season is usually determined by whether we beat Harvard or not, as that’s such a big and historic rivalry! We’re in the Liberty Conference, which is a New England and New York conference. We’ll play other Ivy League schools like Columbia and Princeton, as well as prestigious schools such as Boston College and the University of Connecticut. Our league is getting stronger and because we’re generally based in the North east we don’t have too much travelling time.”
Playing rugby at an Ivy League school provides an excellent avenue for academically gifted athletes keen to pursue their rugby aspirations at some of the nation's most elite universities, while studying for a world-class degree.
From College Fields to the Global Stage: Professional Rugby Alumni
The quality of college rugby in the USA is evident in the growing number of former collegiate players who have transitioned to professional careers both domestically and internationally. One of the highest profile alum is Ilona Maher – the world’s most followed rugby player on social media – who played collegiate rugby at Quinnipiac University. She has since gone on to represent the USA Eagles in both 7s (including the Olympics where she won a bronze medal in Paris 2024) and 15s, before signing for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership Women's Rugby league.
Understanding Rugby Scholarships in the USA
For talented international players, rugby scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity to combine high-level athletic competition with quality education. Unlike NCAA sports with strict regulations, rugby scholarships are generally administered directly by individual universities or through athletic endowments and fundraising efforts.
- Academic and Athletic Assessment: Universities offering rugby scholarships will assess both the academic qualifications and the rugby playing ability of prospective student-athletes. Strong grades and impressive playing footage or references from coaches are crucial.
- Full and Partial Scholarships: Scholarship amounts can vary significantly, ranging from partial scholarships covering a portion of tuition and fees to full scholarships that encompass most or all costs, including accommodation and living expenses.
- Eligibility Requirements: While not governed by the NCAA, individual universities and the organizing bodies (CRAA and NCR) may have their own eligibility rules regarding academic standing and amateur status.
Making the Right Choice for Your Rugby Journey
The American collegiate rugby landscape offers diverse opportunities for aspiring student-athletes, with a growing number of options to consider. Your preference may lie in the east of the country, or you may want to opt for nearer the west coast. Do you want to play your championship rugby in the Fall, or is a Spring 15s season more desirable? If you have the grades, you might want to apply for an Ivy League school and balance the demands of academia with a strong rugby program.
With a growing roster of rugby players and vast network of coaches across both governing bodies in the States, FirstPoint USA are dedicated to providing that guidance, helping you navigate the exciting journey of collegiate rugby in the United States.
If you are interested in exploring rugby scholarships in the USA, register with us today or sign up for one of our upcoming trials.
