College tennis in the United States is a popular option for many players looking to continue their studies, while still deciding whether they want to go Pro or not. The facilities, training, playing atmosphere, and competition are some of the main highlights when you’re on the team.
Not only do you get to be part of a small group of dedicated players, with the sole aim of winning, you get a quality education too. Many players use the time to decide for themselves if the grind of the tour is something they are actually made out for, or not.
Let us look at the available options and form an educated opinion on whether or not college tennis is the right direction for you. The first step is knowing which colleges have some of the best tennis programs.
The below list is just a sample size, remember there are over 1100 colleges and universities with tennis programs. Do not limit yourself to the below list, but use it as a stepping stone to help your decision making process.
Men’s Tennis
NCAA Division 1:
NCAA Division II: Armstrong Atlantic, Valdosta State, Lynn, Ouachita Baptist, Barry, Hawaii Pacific, Florida Southern, Rollins, West Florida, Columbus State, Concordia, Lander
NCAA Division III: Middlebury, Washington St. Louis, Emory, Claremont, Cal Lutheran, UC Santa Cruz, Carnegie Mellon, Amherst, Kenyon, Johns Hopkins, NC Wesleyan
NAIA: Fresno Pacific University, Auburn University Montgomery, Azusa Pacific University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Concordia University, Vanguard University, Oklahoma Christian University, Westmont College, Point Loma Nazarene University, Graceland University, Lindsey Wilson College
Women’s Tennis
NCAA Division I:
NCAA Division II: Armstrong Atlantic, BYU-Hawaii, Lynn, Barry, West Florida, Abilene Christian, Hawaii Pacific, California (Pennsylvania), Clayton Street, Rollins, Columbus Street, Florida Southern, UC San Diego, Francis Marion
NCAA Division III: Amherst, Williams, Emory, Chicago, Denison, Pomona-Pitzer, Gustavus Adolphus, Carnegie Mellon, Tufts, Washington and Lee, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, Chapman, DePauw, Washington-St. Louis
NAIA: Auburn University Montgomery, Fresno Pacific University, Point Loma Nazarene University, Concordia University, Vanguard University, Brenau University, Azusa Pacific University, Oklahoma Christian University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Northwood University, Shorter College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Southern Nazarene University, Lindsey Wilson College.
Before you can get started with applying you will need to start playing tournaments where UTR is used, as most college coaches consider your UTR above every other ranking system.