# List of NCAA Division I FCS football programs

This is a list of schools in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that play football in the United States as a varsity sport and are members of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005. There are 129 FCS programs as of the 2024 season. Conference affiliations are current for the 2024 season. The teams in this subdivision compete in a 24-team playoff for the NCAA Division I Football Championship. All leagues allow scholarships with the exception of the Ivy League and Pioneer Football League.

## FCS programs

| Team | Name | School | City | State | Program established | First FCS season | Conference |
| Abilene Christian | Wildcats | Abilene Christian University | Abilene | Texas | 1919 | 2017 | UAC |
| Alabama A&M | Bulldogs | Alabama A&M University | Normal | Alabama | 1912 | 1999 | SWAC |
| Alabama State | Hornets | Alabama State University | Montgomery | Alabama | 1901 | 1982 | SWAC |
| Albany | Great Danes | State University of New York at Albany | Albany | New York | 1922 | 1999 | CAA |
| Alcorn State | Braves | Alcorn State University | Lorman | Mississippi | 1921 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff | Golden Lions | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | 1916 | 1998 | SWAC |
| Austin Peay | Governors | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Tennessee | 1930 | 1978 | UAC |
| Bethune–Cookman | Wildcats | Bethune–Cookman University | Daytona Beach | Florida | 1925 | 1980 | SWAC |
| Brown | Bears | Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island | 1878 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Bryant | Bulldogs | Bryant University | Smithfield | Rhode Island | 1999 | 2012 | CAA |
| Bucknell | Bison | Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania | 1883 | 1978 | Patriot |
| Butler | Bulldogs | Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana | 1887 | 1993 | Pioneer |
| Cal Poly | Mustangs | California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo | California | 1915 | 1994 | Big Sky |
| Campbell | Fighting Camels | Campbell University | Buies Creek | North Carolina | 1925; 2008 | 2008 | CAA |
| Central Arkansas | Bears | University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Arkansas | 1908 | 2010 | UAC |
| Central Connecticut | Blue Devils | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Connecticut | 1935 | 1993 | Northeast |
| Charleston Southern | Buccaneers | Charleston Southern University | North Charleston | South Carolina | 1985 | 1993 | OVC–Big South |
| Chattanooga | Mocs | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | 1899 | 1982 | Southern |
| The Citadel | Bulldogs | The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | South Carolina | 1905 | 1982 | Southern |
| Colgate | Raiders | Colgate University | Hamilton | New York | 1890 | 1982 | Patriot |
| Columbia | Lions | Columbia University | New York | New York | 1870 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Cornell | Big Red | Cornell University | Ithaca | New York | 1887 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Dartmouth | Big Green | Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire | 1881 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Davidson | Wildcats | Davidson College | Davidson | North Carolina | 1896 | 1978; 1993 | Pioneer |
| Dayton | Flyers | University of Dayton | Dayton | Ohio | 1903 | 1993 | Pioneer |
| Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | University of Delaware | Newark | Delaware | 1888 | 1980 | CAA |
| Delaware State | Hornets | Delaware State University | Dover | Delaware | 1924 | 1978; 1980 | MEAC |
| Drake | Bulldogs | Drake University | Des Moines | Iowa | 1893 | 1982; 1993 | Pioneer |
| Duquesne | Dukes | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1891 | 1993 | Northeast |
| East Tennessee State | Buccaneers | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | Tennessee | 1920; 2015 | 1982; 2015 | Southern |
| Eastern Illinois | Panthers | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | 1899 | 1981 | OVC–Big South |
| Eastern Kentucky | Colonels | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Kentucky | 1891 | 1978 | UAC |
| Eastern Washington | Eagles | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Washington | 1901 | 1984 | Big Sky |
| Elon | Phoenix | Elon University | Elon | North Carolina | 1909 | 1999 | CAA |
| Florida A&M | Rattlers | Florida A&M University | Tallahassee | Florida | 1907 | 1979 | SWAC |
| Fordham | Rams | Fordham University | New York | New York | 1881 | 1989 | Patriot |
| Furman | Paladins | Furman University | Greenville | South Carolina | 1889 | 1982 | Southern |
| Gardner–Webb | Runnin' Bulldogs | Gardner–Webb University | Boiling Springs | North Carolina | 1946 | 2002 | OVC–Big South |
| Georgetown | Hoyas | Georgetown University | Washington | District of Columbia | 1881 | 1993 | Patriot |
| Grambling State | Tigers | Grambling State University | Grambling | Louisiana | 1927 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Hampton | Pirates | Hampton University | Hampton | Virginia | 1902 | 1997 | CAA |
| Harvard | Crimson | Harvard University | Cambridge | Massachusetts | 1873 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Holy Cross | Crusaders | College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts | 1891 | 1982 | Patriot |
| Houston Christian | Huskies | Houston Christian University | Houston | Texas | 2013 | 2014 | Southland |
| Howard | Bison | Howard University | Washington | District of Columbia | 1882 | 1978; 1980 | MEAC |
| Idaho | Vandals | University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho | 1893 | 1978; 2018 | Big Sky |
| Idaho State | Bengals | Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | 1902 | 1978 | Big Sky |
| Illinois State | Redbirds | Illinois State University | Normal | Illinois | 1887 | 1982 | Missouri Valley |
| Incarnate Word | Cardinals | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Texas | 2009 | 2017 | Southland |
| Indiana State | Sycamores | Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Indiana | 1895 | 1982 | Missouri Valley |
| Jackson State | Tigers | Jackson State University | Jackson | Mississippi | 1911 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Lafayette | Leopards | Lafayette College | Easton | Pennsylvania | 1882 | 1978 | Patriot |
| Lamar | Cardinals | Lamar University | Beaumont | Texas | 1923; 2009 | 1982; 2010 | Southland |
| Lehigh | Mountain Hawks | Lehigh University | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | 1884 | 1978 | Patriot |
| LIU | Sharks | Long Island University | Brookville | New York | 1957 | 2019 | Northeast |
| Maine | Black Bears | University of Maine | Orono | Maine | 1892 | 1978 | CAA |
| Marist | Red Foxes | Marist College | Poughkeepsie | New York | 1965 | 1993 | Pioneer |
| McNeese | Cowboys | McNeese State University | Lake Charles | Louisiana | 1950 | 1982 | Southland |
| Mercer | Bears | Mercer University | Macon | Georgia | 1891; 2013 | 2013 | Southern |
| Merrimack | Warriors | Merrimack College | North Andover | Massachusetts | 1947 | 2023 | Independent |
| Mississippi Valley State | Delta Devils | Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena | Mississippi | 1953 | 1980 | SWAC |
| Missouri State | Bears | Missouri State University | Springfield | Missouri | 1909 | 1982 | Missouri Valley |
| Monmouth | Hawks | Monmouth University | West Long Branch | New Jersey | 1993 | 1994 | CAA |
| Montana | Grizzlies | University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | 1897 | 1978 | Big Sky |
| Montana State | Bobcats | Montana State University | Bozeman | Montana | 1897 | 1978 | Big Sky |
| Morehead State | Eagles | Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | 1924 | 1978 | Pioneer |
| Morgan State | Bears | Morgan State University | Baltimore | Maryland | 1897 | 1986 | MEAC |
| Murray State | Racers | Murray State University | Murray | Kentucky | 1924 | 1978 | Missouri Valley |
| New Hampshire | Wildcats | University of New Hampshire | Durham | New Hampshire | 1893 | 1978 | CAA |
| Nicholls | Colonels | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux | Louisiana | 1972 | 1980 | Southland |
| Norfolk State | Spartans | Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Virginia | 1938 | 1997 | MEAC |
| North Alabama | Lions | University of North Alabama | Florence | Alabama | 1912 | 2022 | UAC |
| North Carolina A&T | Aggies | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | North Carolina | 1901 | 1978; 1980 | CAA |
| North Carolina Central | Eagles | North Carolina Central University | Durham | North Carolina | 1921 | 2011 | MEAC |
| North Dakota | Fighting Hawks | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | North Dakota | 1894 | 2012 | Missouri Valley |
| North Dakota State | Bison | North Dakota State University | Fargo | North Dakota | 1894 | 2008 | Missouri Valley |
| Northern Arizona | Lumberjacks | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | Arizona | 1915 | 1978 | Big Sky |
| Northern Colorado | Bears | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Colorado | 1892 | 2007 | Big Sky |
| Northern Iowa | Panthers | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | Iowa | 1895 | 1981 | Missouri Valley |
| Northwestern State | Demons | Northwestern State University | Natchitoches | Louisiana | 1907 | 1978 | Southland |
| Penn | Quakers | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1876 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Portland State | Vikings | Portland State University | Portland | Oregon | 1947 | 1978; 1998 | Big Sky |
| Prairie View A&M | Panthers | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Texas | 1906 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Presbyterian | Blue Hose | Presbyterian College | Clinton | South Carolina | 1913 | 2011 | Pioneer |
| Princeton | Tigers | Princeton University | Princeton | New Jersey | 1869 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Rhode Island | Rams | University of Rhode Island | Kingston | Rhode Island | 1895 | 1978 | CAA |
| Richmond | Spiders | University of Richmond | Richmond | Virginia | 1881 | 1982 | CAA |
| Robert Morris | Colonials | Robert Morris University | Moon Township | Pennsylvania | 1994 | 1998 | Northeast |
| Sacramento State | Hornets | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento | California | 1954 | 1993 | Big Sky |
| Sacred Heart | Pioneers | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield | Connecticut | 1991 | 1999 | Independent |
| Saint Francis (PA) | Red Flash | Saint Francis University | Loretto | Pennsylvania | 1909 | 1993 | Northeast |
| Samford | Bulldogs | Samford University | Birmingham | Alabama | 1902 | 1989 | Southern |
| San Diego | Toreros | University of San Diego | San Diego | California | 1956 | 1993 | Pioneer |
| South Carolina State | Bulldogs | South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | South Carolina | 1906 | 1978; 1980 | MEAC |
| South Dakota | Coyotes | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | South Dakota | 1889 | 2012 | Missouri Valley |
| South Dakota State | Jackrabbits | South Dakota State University | Brookings | South Dakota | 1889 | 2008 | Missouri Valley |
| Southeast Missouri State | Redhawks | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | 1902 | 1990 | OVC–Big South |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Lions | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond | Louisiana | 1930; 2003 | 1980; 2003 | Southland |
| Southern | Jaguars | Southern University | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | 1915 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Southern Illinois | Salukis | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | 1904 | 1982 | Missouri Valley |
| Southern Utah | Thunderbirds | Southern Utah University | Cedar City | Utah | 1929 | 1993 | UAC |
| Stephen F. Austin | Lumberjacks | Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches | Texas | 1923 | 1986 | Southland |
| Stetson | Hatters | Stetson University | DeLand | Florida | 1901; 2013 | 2013 | Pioneer |
| Stony Brook | Seawolves | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | New York | 1969 | 1999 | CAA |
| Tarleton State | Texans | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | Texas | 1899 | 2024 | UAC |
| Tennessee State | Tigers | Tennessee State University | Nashville | Tennessee | 1916 | 1981 | OVC–Big South |
| Tennessee Tech | Golden Eagles | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | Tennessee | 1917 | 1978 | OVC–Big South |
| Texas Southern | Tigers | Texas Southern University | Houston | Texas | 1947 | 1978 | SWAC |
| Towson | Tigers | Towson University | Towson | Maryland | 1968 | 1987 | CAA |
| UC Davis | Aggies | University of California, Davis | Davis | California | 1915 | 2007 | Big Sky |
| UT Martin | Skyhawks | University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | Tennessee | 1953 | 1992 | OVC–Big South |
| Utah Tech | Trailblazers | Utah Tech University | St. George | Utah | 1911 | 2024 | UAC |
| Valparaiso | Beacons | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso | Indiana | 1906 | 1993 | Pioneer |
| Villanova | Wildcats | Villanova University | Villanova | Pennsylvania | 1894 | 1987 | CAA |
| VMI | Keydets | Virginia Military Institute | Lexington | Virginia | 1873 | 1982 | Southern |
| Wagner | Seahawks | Wagner College | New York | New York | 1927 | 1993 | Northeast |
| Weber State | Wildcats | Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | 1962 | 1978 | Big Sky |
| Western Carolina | Catamounts | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | North Carolina | 1931 | 1982 | Southern |
| Western Illinois | Leathernecks | Western Illinois University | Macomb | Illinois | 1903 | 1981 | OVC–Big South |
| William & Mary | Tribe | College of William & Mary | Williamsburg | Virginia | 1893 | 1982 | CAA |
| Wofford | Terriers | Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina | 1889 | 1995 | Southern |
| Yale | Bulldogs | Yale University | New Haven | Connecticut | 1872 | 1982 | Ivy |
| Youngstown State | Penguins | Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio | 1938 | 1981 | Missouri Valley |
* ↑ 12 states (Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming) do not currently have FCS programs.
* ↑ According to conferences in football, not necessarily a team's primary conference.
* ↑ The campus mailing address is Huntsville; Normal is a Huntsville neighborhood that encompasses the AAMU campus.
* ↑ The first fielded team only played three seasons (1922–1924), from 1925 through 1969 Albany did not have a football program. The modern era of Albany football began in 1970, when the school restored football as a club sport. The team was upgraded to full varsity status in 1973.
* ↑ The Alcorn State campus has a Lorman mailing address, but is in unincorporated Claiborne County and is designated by the US Census Bureau as Alcorn State, Mississippi.
* ↑ Delaware will move to the FBS's Conference USA in 2025.
* ↑ Although the academic core of the Harvard campus, including the university administration, is located in Cambridge, the school's athletic complex, including the football stadium, is within the city limits of Boston.
* ↑ This is Idaho's second stint in the grouping now known as FCS; it had been a member of what was then known as Division I-AA from the group's creation in 1978 through 1995, after which it moved to the league then known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (now the Big West Conference). At that time, the PCAA sponsored FBS (then Division I-A) football.
* ↑ Effective in 2019–20, Long Island University merged its two athletic programs the Division I non-football LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and Division II football-sponsoring LIU Post Pioneers into a single D-I athletic program under the Sharks name. The LIU Post football team became the new LIU football team, playing at its current home on the Post campus and joining the Northeast Conference. LIU was immediately eligible for the playoffs, as it was treated as a new football program of an existing D-I institution, but lost all its Division I games in the 2019 season and failed to qualify.
* ↑ First season of the LIU Post program that became the LIU program in 2019. The Brooklyn campus first played football in 1928, but dropped the sport in 1940, before the Post campus existed; LIU traces the history of its current football program through Post.
* ↑ The MVSU campus has an Itta Bena mailing address, but is in unincorporated Leflore County and is designated by the US Census Bureau as Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi.
* ↑ Missouri State will move to the FBS's Conference USA in 2025.
* ↑ Portland State's campus is in the city of Portland, but it plays its home football games in the suburb of Hillsboro.
* ↑ Richmond will join the Patriot League as a football affiliate in 2025.
* ↑ Also known simply as Tarleton.

## Transitioning from Division II

The following programs are transitioning from NCAA Division II to FCS, or have announced definitive plans to do so. Under current NCAA rules, they must have an invitation from a Division I conference to begin the transition. During the normally four-year transition period, they are ineligible for the FCS playoffs. Since January 2025, the NCAA has expedited the reclassification period for schools, by one year, with schools already reclassifying to Division I being given the option to use either the new, shorter reclassification period or the original, longer period they initially agreed to. The new transition period is three years instead of the previous four for schools transitioning from Division II. As of February 21, Lindenwood and East Texas A&M have exercised this option.
| Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
| East Texas A&M Lions | East Texas A&M University | Commerce | Texas | 1889 | 1915 | Southland | 2025 |
| Lindenwood Lions | Lindenwood University | St. Charles | Missouri | 1827 | 1990 | OVC–Big South | 2025 |
| Mercyhurst Lakers | Mercyhurst University | Erie | Pennsylvania | 1926 | 1981 | Northeast | 2028 |
| Stonehill Skyhawks | Stonehill College | Easton | Massachusetts | 1948 | 1970 | Northeast | 2026 |
| West Georgia Wolves | University of West Georgia | Carrollton | Georgia | 1906 | 1981 | UAC | 2028 |
* ↑ East Texas A&M began a transition from Division II to Division I in 2022, joining the Southland Conference as a full member, including football.
* ↑ A football-only partnership between the Ohio Valley Conference and Big South Conference; officially treated by the NCAA as an alliance between the two leagues instead of a fully formed conference.
* ↑ Lindenwood began a transition from Division II to Division I in 2022, joining the Ohio Valley Conference as a full member, including football.
* ↑ Mercyhurst has a Northeast Conference invitation. They are scheduled to start a transition from Division II to Division I in 2024, pending NCAA approval.
* ↑ Stonehill began a transition from Division II to Division I in 2022, joining the Northeast Conference as a full member, including football.
* ↑ West Georgia has a ASUN Conference/UAC invitation. They are scheduled to start a transition from Division II to Division I in 2024, pending NCAA approval.

## Transitioning from Division III

Normally, under current NCAA rules, teams are not allowed to reclassify directly from NCAA Division III to Division I. However, after St. Thomas was involuntarily removed from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, they and their future primary conference home, the Summit League, worked with the NCAA to move directly to Division I. On July 15, 2020, it was announced that the NCAA had approved this transition, and St. Thomas has played in Division I starting with the 2021 season. Since January 2025, the NCAA has expedited the reclassification period for schools, by one year, with schools already reclassifying to Division I being given the option to use either the new, shorter reclassification period or the original, longer period they initially agreed to. The new transition period is four years instead of the previous five for schools transitioning from Division III. As of January 15, St. Thomas has exercised this option.
| Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
| St. Thomas Tommies | University of St. Thomas | Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1885 | 1904 | Pioneer Football League | 2025 |

## Programs moving to FCS

Conference affiliations are those expected to be in effect for the season when the program begins FCS play.
| Team | School | City | State | Future conference | Begins play |
| UTRGV Vaqueros | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Brownsville & Edinburg | Texas | Southland | 2025 |
| Chicago State Cougars | Chicago State University | Chicago | Illinois | Northeast | 2026 |
* ↑ While UTRGV has multiple campuses within its service area, its athletic program is based at the Edinburg campus, which it inherited from its athletic predecessor, the University of Texas–Pan American. The football team plans to play home games in both Brownsville (home to a UTRGV campus inherited from the University of Texas at Brownsville) and Edinburg; when UTRGV confirmed the addition of football in late 2022, it committed to establishing separate marching bands and spirit programs for the two campuses.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000035-QINU`"'
* ↑ UTRGV moved its athletic program from the WAC to the Southland in 2024, and its football team is expected to play there when it starts varsity play in 2025.
* ↑ The former UTPA played football while it was a junior college, but never had a football program as a four-year institution.
* ↑ While Chicago State has not officially announced a start date for football, it expects to start play in 2026,'"`UNIQ--ref-00000039-QINU`"' having started a search for its first head coach in February 2025.'"`UNIQ--ref-0000003A-QINU`"'

## Former Division I FCS football programs

| School | Nickname | City | State | First Division I FCS season | Last Division I FCS season | Former FCS conference | Current level |
| University of Akron | Zips | Akron | Ohio | 1979 | 1986 | Ohio Valley Conference | Division I FBS |
| Appalachian State University | Mountaineers | Boone | North Carolina | 1982 | 2013 | Southern Conference | Division I FBS |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Blazers | Birmingham | Alabama | 1993 | 1995 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Arkansas State University | Indians | Jonesboro | Arkansas | 1982 | 1991 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Ball State University | Cardinals | Muncie | Indiana | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| Boise State University | Broncos | Boise | Idaho | 1978 | 1995 | Big Sky Conference | Division I FBS |
| Boston University | Terriers | Boston | Massachusetts | 1978 | 1997 | Atlantic 10 Conference | Program dropped |
| Bowling Green State University | Falcons | Bowling Green | Ohio | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| University at Buffalo | Bulls | Buffalo | New York | 1993 | 1998 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| California State University, Northridge | Matadors | Northridge | California | 1993 | 2001 | I-AA independent | Program dropped |
| Canisius University | Golden Griffins | Buffalo | New York | 1993 | 2002 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| University of Central Florida | Golden Knights | Orlando | Florida | 1990 | 1995 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| University of Cincinnati | Bearcats | Cincinnati | Ohio | 1982 | 1982 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Coastal Carolina University | Chanticleers | Conway | South Carolina | 2003 | 2016 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| University of Connecticut | Huskies | Storrs | Connecticut | 1978 | 1999 | Atlantic 10 Conference | Division I FBS |
| Eastern Michigan University | Hurons | Ypsilanti | Michigan | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| University of Evansville | Purple Aces | Evansville | Indiana | 1993 | 1997 | Pioneer Football League | Program dropped |
| Fairfield University | Stags | Fairfield | Connecticut | 1997 | 2002 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| Florida Atlantic University | Owls | Boca Raton | Florida | 2001 | 2004 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Florida International University | Panthers | Miami | Florida | 2003 | 2004 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Georgia Southern University | Eagles | Statesboro | Georgia | 1984 | 2013 | Southern Conference | Division I FBS |
| Georgia State University | Panthers | Atlanta | Georgia | 2010 | 2012 | CAA Football | Division I FBS |
| Hofstra University | Pride | Hempstead | New York | 1993 | 2009 | CAA Football | Program dropped |
| Iona University | Gaels | New Rochelle | New York | 1993 | 2008 | FCS independent | Program dropped |
| Jacksonville University | Dolphins | Jacksonville | Florida | 1998 | 2019 | Pioneer Football League | Program dropped |
| Jacksonville State University | Gamecocks | Jacksonville | Alabama | 1997 | 2022 | ASUN Conference | Division I FBS |
| James Madison University | Dukes | Harrisonburg | Virginia | 1980 | 2021 | CAA Football | Division I FBS |
| Kennesaw State University | Owls | Kennesaw | Georgia | 2015 | 2023 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| Kent State University | Golden Flashes | Kent | Ohio | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| La Salle University | Explorers | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1997 | 2007 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| Liberty University | Flames | Lynchburg | Virginia | 1989 | 2017 | Big South Conference | Division I FBS |
| Louisiana Tech University | Bulldogs | Ruston | Louisiana | 1982 | 1988 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Marshall University | Thundering Herd | Huntington | West Virginia | 1982 | 1996 | Southern Conference | Division I FBS |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Minutemen | Amherst | Massachusetts | 1978 | 2011 | CAA Football | Division I FBS |
| Miami University | Redskins | Oxford | Ohio | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Blue Raiders | Murfreesboro | Tennessee | 1978 | 1998 | Ohio Valley Conference | Division I FBS |
| Morris Brown College | Wolverines | Atlanta | Georgia | 2001 | 2003 | I-AA independent | Dropped athletics |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Wolf Pack | Reno | Nevada | 1978 | 1991 | Big Sky Conference | Division I FBS |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 49ers | Charlotte | North Carolina | 2013 | 2014 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| University of North Texas | Mean Green | Denton | Texas | 1982 | 1994 | Southland Conference | Division I FBS |
| Northeast Louisiana University | Indians | Monroe | Louisiana | 1982 | 1993 | Southland Conference | Division I FBS |
| Northeastern University | Huskies | Boston | Massachusetts | 1978 | 2009 | CAA Football | Program dropped |
| Northern Illinois University | Huskies | DeKalb | Illinois | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| Ohio University | Bobcats | Athens | Ohio | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
| Old Dominion University | Monarchs | Norfolk | Virginia | 2009 | 2013 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| St. John's University | Red Storm | Queens | New York | 1993 | 2002 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| Saint Mary's College of California | Gaels | Moraga | California | 1993 | 2003 | I-AA independent | Program dropped |
| Saint Peter's University | Peacocks | Jersey City | New Jersey | 1993 | 2006 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| Sam Houston State University | Bearkats | Huntsville | Texas | 1986 | 2022 | Western Athletic Conference | Division I FBS |
| Savannah State University | Tigers | Savannah | Georgia | 2002 | 2018 | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference | Division II |
| Siena College | Saints | Loudonville | New York | 1993 | 2003 | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Program dropped |
| University of South Alabama | Jaguars | Mobile | Alabama | 2010 | 2011 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| University of South Florida | Bulls | Tampa | Florida | 1997 | 2000 | I-AA independent | Division I FBS |
| Southwest Texas State University | Bobcats | San Marcos | Texas | 1984 | 2010 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| University of Texas at Arlington | Mavericks | Arlington | Texas | 1982 | 1985 | Southland Conference | Program dropped |
| University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) | Roadrunners | San Antonio | Texas | 2011 | 2011 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| Troy State University | Trojans | Troy | Alabama | 1978 | 2000 | Southland Conference | Division I FBS |
| West Texas State University | Buffaloes | Canyon | Texas | 1982 | 1985 | Missouri Valley Conference | Division II |
| Western Kentucky University | Hilltoppers | Bowling Green | Kentucky | 1978 | 2008 | FCS independent | Division I FBS |
| Western Michigan University | Broncos | Kalamazoo | Michigan | 1982 | 1983 | Mid-American Conference | Division I FBS |
* ↑ Nickname changed to Red Wolves in 2008.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 of the 10 schools in the MAC at the time were reclassified from Division I-A to Division I-AA prior to the 1982 season. However, following appeals from Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan, the conference as a whole was permitted to remain in I-A beginning in the 1983 season.
* ↑ Nickname changed to Knights in 2007.
* ↑ UCF's campus has an Orlando mailing address, but is located entirely within unincorporated Orange County.
* ↑ Cincinnati was initially reclassified from Division I-A to Division I-AA prior to the 1982 season. However, the university filed an injunction to postpone their demotion to after the 1982 season, and was ultimately successful in remaining in I-A.
* ↑ UConn currently plays its home games in East Hartford, Connecticut.
* ↑ Nickname changed to Eagles in 1991.
* ↑ FIU's campus has a Miami mailing address, but is located entirely within unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
* ↑ Kennesaw State's campus has a Kennesaw mailing address, but is located entirely within unincorporated Cobb County.
* ↑ Nickname changed to RedHawks in 1996.
* ↑ University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) since 1999.
* ↑ Nickname changed to Warhawks in 2006.
* ↑ Texas State University since 2013.
* ↑ Troy University since 2004.
* ↑ West Texas A&M University since 1993.