List of NCAA Division I FCS football programs
This is a list of schools in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association that play football in the United States as a varsity sport and are members of the Football Championship Subdivision , known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005. There will be 127 FCS programs in the upcoming 2020 season. Conference affiliations are current for the 2020 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 | Nickname | School | City | State | Program established | Conference |
| Abilene Christian | Wildcats | Abilene Christian University | Abilene | Texas | 1919 | Southland |
| Alabama A&M | Bulldogs | Alabama A&M University | Normal | Alabama | 1912 | SWAC |
| Alabama State | Hornets | Alabama State University | Montgomery | Alabama | 1901 | SWAC |
| Albany | Great Danes | University at Albany, SUNY | Albany | New York | 1973 | CAA |
| Alcorn State | Braves | Alcorn State University | Lorman | Mississippi | 1921 | SWAC |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Golden Lions | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | 1916 | SWAC |
| Austin Peay | Governors | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Tennessee | 1930 | Ohio Valley |
| Bethune-Cookman | Wildcats | Bethune–Cookman University | Daytona Beach | Florida | 1925 | MEAC |
| Brown | Bears | Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island | 1878 | Ivy |
| Bryant | Bulldogs | Bryant University | Smithfield | Rhode Island | 1999 | Northeast |
| Bucknell | Bison | Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania | 1883 | Patriot |
| Butler | Bulldogs | Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana | 1887 | Pioneer |
| Cal Poly | Mustangs | California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo | California | 1915 | Big Sky |
| Campbell | Fighting Camels | Campbell University | Buies Creek | North Carolina | 1925 2008 | Big South |
| Central Arkansas | Bears | University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Arkansas | 1908 | Southland |
| Central Connecticut | Blue Devils | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Connecticut | 1935 | Northeast |
| Charleston Southern | Buccaneers | Charleston Southern University | North Charleston | South Carolina | 1985 | Big South |
| Chattanooga | Mocs | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | 1899 | Southern |
| The Citadel | Bulldogs | The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | South Carolina | 1905 | Southern |
| Colgate | Raiders | Colgate University | Hamilton | New York | 1890 | Patriot |
| Columbia | Lions | Columbia University | New York | New York | 1870 | Ivy |
| Cornell | Big Red | Cornell University | Ithaca | New York | 1887 | Ivy |
| Dartmouth | Big Green | Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire | 1881 | Ivy |
| Davidson | Wildcats | Davidson College | Davidson | North Carolina | 1896 | Pioneer |
| Dayton | Flyers | University of Dayton | Dayton | Ohio | 1903 | Pioneer |
| Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | University of Delaware | Newark | Delaware | 1888 | CAA |
| Delaware State | Hornets | Delaware State University | Dover | Delaware | 1924 | MEAC |
| Drake | Bulldogs | Drake University | Des Moines | Iowa | 1893 | Pioneer |
| Duquesne | Dukes | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1891 | Northeast |
| East Tennessee State | Buccaneers | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | Tennessee | 1920 2015 | Southern |
| Eastern Illinois | Panthers | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | 1899 | Ohio Valley |
| Eastern Kentucky | Colonels | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Kentucky | 1906 | Ohio Valley |
| Eastern Washington | Eagles | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Washington | 1901 | Big Sky |
| Elon | Phoenix | Elon University | Elon | North Carolina | 1909 | CAA |
| Florida A&M | Rattlers | Florida A&M University | Tallahassee | Florida | 1907 | MEAC |
| Fordham | Rams | Fordham University | New York | New York | 1881 | Patriot |
| Furman | Paladins | Furman University | Greenville | South Carolina | 1889 | Southern |
| Gardner-Webb | Runnin' Bulldogs | Gardner–Webb University | Boiling Springs | North Carolina | 1946 | Big South |
| Georgetown | Hoyas | Georgetown University | Washington | D.C. | 1881 | Patriot |
| Grambling State | Tigers | Grambling State University | Grambling | Louisiana | 1927 | SWAC |
| Hampton | Pirates | Hampton University | Hampton | Virginia | 1902 | Big South |
| Harvard | Crimson | Harvard University | Cambridge | Massachusetts | 1873 | Ivy |
| Holy Cross | Crusaders | College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts | 1891 | Patriot |
| Houston Baptist | Huskies | Houston Baptist University | Houston | Texas | 2013 | Southland |
| Howard | Bison | Howard University | Washington | D.C. | 1882 | MEAC |
| Idaho | Vandals | University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho | 1893 | Big Sky |
| Idaho State | Bengals | Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | 1902 | Big Sky |
| Illinois State | Redbirds | Illinois State University | Normal | Illinois | 1887 | Missouri Valley |
| Incarnate Word | Cardinals | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Texas | 2009 | Southland |
| Indiana State | Sycamores | Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Indiana | 1895 | Missouri Valley |
| Jackson State | Tigers | Jackson State University | Jackson | Mississippi | 1911 | SWAC |
| Jacksonville State | Gamecocks | Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Alabama | 1904 | Ohio Valley |
| James Madison | Dukes | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Virginia | 1972 | CAA |
| Kennesaw State | Owls | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Georgia | 2015 | Big South |
| Lafayette | Leopards | Lafayette College | Easton | Pennsylvania | 1882 | Patriot |
| Lamar | Cardinals | Lamar University | Beaumont | Texas | 1923 2009 | Southland |
| Lehigh | Mountain Hawks | Lehigh University | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | 1884 | Patriot |
| LIU | Sharks | Long Island University | Brookville | New York | 1957 | Northeast |
| Maine | Black Bears | University of Maine | Orono | Maine | 1892 | CAA |
| Marist | Red Foxes | Marist College | Poughkeepsie | New York | 1965 | Pioneer |
| McNeese State | Cowboys | McNeese State University | Lake Charles | Louisiana | 1950 | Southland |
| Mercer | Bears | Mercer University | Macon | Georgia | 1891 2013 | Southern |
| Mississippi Valley State | Delta Devils | Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena | Mississippi | 1953 | SWAC |
| Missouri State | Bears | Missouri State University | Springfield | Missouri | 1909 | Missouri Valley |
| Monmouth | Hawks | Monmouth University | West Long Branch | New Jersey | 1993 | Big South |
| Montana | Grizzlies | University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | 1897 | Big Sky |
| Montana State | Bobcats | Montana State University | Bozeman | Montana | 1897 | Big Sky |
| Morehead State | Eagles | Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | 1924 | Pioneer |
| Morgan State | Bears | Morgan State University | Baltimore | Maryland | 1897 | MEAC |
| Murray State | Racers | Murray State University | Murray | Kentucky | 1924 | Ohio Valley |
| New Hampshire | Wildcats | University of New Hampshire | Durham | New Hampshire | 1893 | CAA |
| Nicholls | Colonels | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux | Louisiana | 1972 | Southland |
| Norfolk State | Spartans | Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Virginia | 1938 | MEAC |
| North Carolina A&T | Aggies | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | North Carolina | 1901 | MEAC |
| North Carolina Central | Eagles | North Carolina Central University | Durham | North Carolina | 1921 | MEAC |
| North Dakota | Fighting Hawks | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | North Dakota | 1894 | Missouri Valley |
| North Dakota State | Bison | North Dakota State University | Fargo | North Dakota | 1894 | Missouri Valley |
| Northern Arizona | Lumberjacks | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | Arizona | 1915 | Big Sky |
| Northern Colorado | Bears | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Colorado | 1892 | Big Sky |
| Northern Iowa | Panthers | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | Iowa | 1895 | Missouri Valley |
| Northwestern State | Demons | Northwestern State University | Natchitoches | Louisiana | 1907 | Southland |
| Penn | Quakers | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1876 | Ivy |
| Portland State | Vikings | Portland State University | Portland | Oregon | 1947 | Big Sky |
| Prairie View A&M | Panthers | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Texas | 1906 | SWAC |
| Presbyterian | Blue Hose | Presbyterian College | Clinton | South Carolina | 1913 | Independent |
| Princeton | Tigers | Princeton University | Princeton | New Jersey | 1869 | Ivy |
| Rhode Island | Rams | University of Rhode Island | Kingston | Rhode Island | 1895 | CAA |
| Richmond | Spiders | University of Richmond | Richmond | Virginia | 1881 | CAA |
| Robert Morris | Colonials | Robert Morris University | Moon Township | Pennsylvania | 1994 | Independent |
| Sacramento State | Hornets | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento | California | 1954 | Big Sky |
| Sacred Heart | Pioneers | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield | Connecticut | 1991 | Northeast |
| Saint Francis | Red Flash | Saint Francis University | Loretto | Pennsylvania | 1909 | Northeast |
| Sam Houston State | Bearkats | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Texas | 1912 | Southland |
| Samford | Bulldogs | Samford University | Birmingham | Alabama | 1902 | Southern |
| San Diego | Toreros | University of San Diego | San Diego | California | 1956 | Pioneer |
| South Carolina State | Bulldogs | South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | South Carolina | 1906 | MEAC |
| South Dakota | Coyotes | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | South Dakota | 1889 | Missouri Valley |
| South Dakota State | Jackrabbits | South Dakota State University | Brookings | South Dakota | 1889 | Missouri Valley |
| Southeast Missouri State | Redhawks | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | 1902 | Ohio Valley |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Lions | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond | Louisiana | 1930 | Southland |
| Southern | Jaguars | Southern University | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | 1915 | SWAC |
| Southern Illinois | Salukis | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | 1904 | Missouri Valley |
| Southern Utah | Thunderbirds | Southern Utah University | Cedar City | Utah | 1929 | Big Sky |
| Stephen F. Austin | Lumberjacks | Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches | Texas | 1923 | Southland |
| Stetson | Hatters | Stetson University | DeLand | Florida | 1901 | Pioneer |
| Stony Brook | Seawolves | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | New York | 1969 | CAA |
| Tennessee State | Tigers | Tennessee State University | Nashville | Tennessee | 1916 | Ohio Valley |
| Tennessee Tech | Golden Eagles | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | Tennessee | 1917 | Ohio Valley |
| Texas Southern | Tigers | Texas Southern University | Houston | Texas | 1947 | SWAC |
| Towson | Tigers | Towson University | Towson | Maryland | 1968 | CAA |
| UC Davis | Aggies | University of California, Davis | Davis | California | 1915 | Big Sky |
| UT Martin | Skyhawks | University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | Tennessee | 1953 | Ohio Valley |
| Valparaiso | Crusaders | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso | Indiana | 1906 | Pioneer |
| Villanova | Wildcats | Villanova University | Villanova | Pennsylvania | 1894 | CAA |
| VMI | Keydets | Virginia Military Institute | Lexington | Virginia | 1873 | Southern |
| Wagner | Seahawks | Wagner College | New York | New York | 1927 | Northeast |
| Weber State | Wildcats | Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | 1962 | Big Sky |
| Western Carolina | Catamounts | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | North Carolina | 1931 | Southern |
| Western Illinois | Leathernecks | Western Illinois University | Macomb | Illinois | 1903 | Missouri Valley |
| William & Mary | Tribe | College of William & Mary | Williamsburg | Virginia | 1893 | CAA |
| Wofford | Terriers | Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina | 1889 | Southern |
| Yale | Bulldogs | Yale University | New Haven | Connecticut | 1872 | Ivy |
| Youngstown State | Penguins | Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio | 1938 | Missouri Valley |
Transitioning from Division II
The following programs are transitioning from NCAA Division II to FCS. Under current NCAA rules, they must have an invitation from a Division I conference to begin the transition. During the four-year transition period, they are ineligible for the FCS playoffs.| Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
| Dixie State Trailblazers | Dixie State University | Utah | 1911 | 2006 | Independent | 2024 | |
| Merrimack Warriors | Merrimack College | North Andover | Massachusetts | 1947 | 1985 | Northeast | 2023 |
| North Alabama Lions | University of North Alabama | Florence | Alabama | 1830 | 1912 | Big South | 2022 |
| Tarleton State Texans | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | Texas | 1899 | 1961 | Independent | 2024 |
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 1. On July 15, 2020, it was announced that the NCAA had approved this transition, and St. Thomas will play in Division I starting with the 2021 season.| Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
| Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1885 | 1904 | Pioneer Football League | 2021 |