WATER POLO AUTHORITY

Guide To Playing Water Polo in College

Find colleges and universities with water polo teams at any competitive level.

Play in College

Competitive Club Water Polo

Information on College Club Water Polo

How is college club water polo structured?

College club teams throughout the country compete in regional divisions governed by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). Teams play at several regional tournaments throughout the fall semester leading up to a division championship. Division champions earn a chance to compete at the national tournament to determine the best team in the country.

Who can play club water polo?

Club water polo is typically open to players of all skill levels. Teams are typically sanctioned as a club sport by the college or university and run by current students.

How competitive is club water polo?

Many schools take club water polo very seriously during the season, practicing a few days a week with hopes of winning their regional tournament to earn a spot at national championship tournament. Other schools run less competitive clubs and play for fun. Each club program is unique and it’s best to reach out to the club directly to learn more about their level of commitment.

How much does it cost to play?

Some schools offer funds for club programs. Despite this, most players at the club level will still have to pay out of pocket to participate and travel to tournaments. Associated costs might include buying a team suit, paying for travel and accommodations, purchasing team equipment, and paying CWPA league fees. Teams often fundraise by hosting events or tournaments.

🤽‍♂️ Men's Club Water Polo

Division
Men’s Water Polo

Governing Body
Collegiate Water Polo Association

Season
Fall Semester

Teams
114+

Divisions
17

2023 Champion
University of California-San Diego

List of Colleges Competing in Men's Club Water Polo

Teams listed in order of 2023 regional placements.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

U.S. Naval Academy
Virginia Tech
University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
Georgetown University
James Madison University
University of Maryland

BIG TEN DIVISION

Michigan State University
University of Michigan
Purdue University
Ohio State University
Indiana University
University of Wisconsin
University of Iowa
University of Illinois
Northwestern University

COLONIAL DIVISION

University of Connecticut
University of Massachusetts
Amherst College
Worcester Poly. Institute
Wesleyan University
Williams College

FLORIDA DIVISION

University of Florida
Florida State University
Florida International University
University of Central Florida
University of South Florida
University of Miami
Florida Atlantic University

GREAT LAKES DIVISION

Washington University
Grand Valley State University
University of Cincinnati
University of Notre Dame
Miami University (Ohio)
Loyola University (Ill.)
Illinois State University
University of Wisc.-Milwaukee

HEARTLAND DIVISION

Macalester College
Augustana College
Carleton College
Knox College
Grinnell College
Saint Olaf College

LIBERTY DIVISION

Bloomsburg University
West Chester University
University of Delaware
Binghamton University
Drexel University
Lehigh University

MID-ATLANTIC DIVISION

Penn State University “A”
Villanova University
University of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Pittsburgh
Penn State University “B”

MISSOURI VALLEY DIVISION

McKendree University
University of Missouri
Saint Louis University
University of Indianapolis
University of Arkansas

NEW ENGLAND DIVISION

Dartmouth College
Boston College
Boston University
Yale University
Northeastern University
U.S. Coast Guard Academy

NEW YORK DIVISION

U.S. Military Academy
Cornell University
New York University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Syracuse University
Columbia University

NORTH ATLANTIC DIVISION

University of Vermont
Tufts University
Bowdoin College
Colby College
Middlebury College

PACIFIC COAST DIVISION

University of Calif.-Los Angeles
Cal Poly State University “A”
University of Calif.-Santa Barbara “A”
Cal Poly State University “B”
Calif. State University-Long Beach
University of Calif.-Santa Barbara “B”
University of Southern California
Calif. State University-Northridge

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION

University of Colorado “A”
University of Utah
University of Colorado “B”
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University

SIERRA PACIFIC DIVISION

University of California
Calif. State University-Chico
Stanford University
Calif. State University-Maritime
University of Calif.-Santa Cruz
San Jose State University
Calif. State University-Monterey Bay

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

University of Alabama
Georgia Institute of Tech “A”
Auburn University
University of Tennessee
Georgia Institute of Tech “B”
University of South Carolina
University of Kentucky

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

University of Calif.-San Diego “A”
University of Calif.-San Diego “B”
Arizona State University “A”
University of Calif.-Irvine
San Diego State University “A”
University of Arizona
Grand Canyon University
Arizona State University “B”
San Diego State University “B”
University of San Diego

🤽‍♀️ Women's Club Water Polo

Division
Women’s Water Polo

Governing Body
Collegiate Water Polo Association

Season
Spring Semester

Teams
109+

Divisions
16

2024 Champion
University of Michigan

List of Colleges Competing in Women's Club Water Polo

Teams listed in order of 2023 regional placements.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
Georgetown University
University of North Carolina
University of Maryland
James Madison University

BIG TEN DIVISION

University of Michigan “A”
The Ohio State University
Michigan State University
University of Wisconsin
University of Illinois
Purdue University
University of Iowa
University of Michigan “B”

HEARTLAND DIVISION

Grinnell College
Carleton College
Saint Olaf College
Knox College

MID-ATLANTIC DIVISION

West Chester University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh “A”
Penn State University “A”
University of Pittsburgh “B”
Penn State University “B”
Carnegie Mellon University

MIDWEST DIVISION

University of Notre Dame
Grand Valley State University
Washington Univ. in St. Louis
Miami University (Ohio)
Illinois State University
University of Cincinnati

NEW ENGLAND DIVISION

Boston University
Dartmouth College
Boston College
University of Massachusetts
Northeastern University
Williams College

NEW YORK DIVISION

Syracuse University
Cornell University
New York University
Colgate Univ./Hamilton College
Columbia University

NORTH ATLANTIC DIVISION

MIT
Yale University
Tufts University
Middlebury College
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Bates College
Wellesley College
Colby College
Bowdoin College

NORTHWEST DIVISION

University of Washington “A”
Oregon State University
University of Oregon “A”
University of Oregon “B”
Gonzaga University
Western Washington University
Portland State University*
University of Washington “B”

PACIFIC COAST DIVISION

Univ. of Calif.-Santa Barbara “A”
Univ. of Calif.-Los Angeles “A”
Calif. Poly State University “A”
Univ. of Calif.-Santa Barbara “B”
University of Southern Calif.
Calif. Poly State University “B”
Univ. of Calif.-Los Angeles “B”

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION

University of Colorado
Colorado School of Mines
University of Utah “A”
Colorado State University
Utah Tech University
U.S. Air Force Academy
University of Utah “B

SIERRA PACIFIC “A” DIVISION

University of California “A”
University of Calif.-Davis “A”
Univ. of Calif.-Santa Cruz “A”
Calif. State University-Chico
Calif. State University-Fresno
University of California “B”
Stanford University

SIERRA PACIFIC “B” DIVISION

University of Calif-Merced
University of Calif.-Davis “B”
University of Calif.-Santa Cruz “B”
Saint Mary’s College
California Maritime Academy

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of Florida “B”
Florida Atlantic University
Georgia Institute of Tech.
University of Alabama

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Arizona State University
San Diego State University “A”
University of Calif.-San Diego “A”
San Diego State University “B”
University of California-Irvine
University of Calif.-San Diego “B”
Grand Canyon University
University of Arizona
Arizona State University “B”
University of San Diego

TEXAS DIVISION

Texas A&M University “A”
University of Texas
Texas State University
Texas A&M University “B”
University of North Texas
Rice University
Baylor University

Play in College

Competitive Varsity Water Polo

Information on College Varsity Water Polo

How is varsity water polo structured?

Varsity water polo represents the highest level of collegiate competition. Teams are classified into Division I, II, or III programs based on factors such as school size, academics, and available scholarships. The most recent championship format featured an 8-team single-elimination bracket in both men’s and women’s leagues.

Are there scholarships available?

Since water polo is an NCAA sport, most schools have a certain amount of scholarship money they can offer athletes.

How do you get recruited to play water polo?

Athletes can attend camps and tournaments across the country where coaches are scouting talent. Players are also encouraged to put together highlight reels to share with coaches. Athletes should also be aware that many water polo schools have high academic standards that need to be met.

🤽‍♂️ Men's Varsity Water Polo

Division
Men’s Water Polo

Governing Body
NCAA

Season
Fall Semester

Teams
52

Divisions
7

2023 Champion
California

List of Colleges Competing in Men's Varsity Water Polo

Information updated from NCAA Directory

Name	Conference	Division	Public/Private	State	Region
California State University, Fullerton	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
Long Beach State University	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of California, Davis	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of California, Irvine	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of California, San Diego	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of California, Santa Barbara	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
Bucknell University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	PA	East Region
Fordham University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	NY	East Region
George Washington University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	DC	East Region
Mount St. Mary's University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	MD	East Region
U.S. Naval Academy	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Public	MD	East Region
Wagner College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	NY	East Region
Johns Hopkins University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	MD	East Region
Stanford University	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Private	CA	West Region
University of California, Berkeley	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of California, Los Angeles	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	CA	West Region
University of Southern California	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Private	CA	West Region
Augustana College (Illinois)	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	III	Private	IL	West Region
Austin College	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	III	Private	TX	West Region
Pennsylvania State Univ. Erie, the Behrend College	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	III	Public	PA	West Region
Washington and Jefferson College	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	III	Private	PA	West Region
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	III	Private	MA	East Region
Brown University	Northeast Water Polo Conference	I	Private	RI	East Region
Harvard University	Northeast Water Polo Conference	I	Private	MA	East Region
Iona University	Northeast Water Polo Conference	I	Private	NY	East Region
Long Island University	Northeast Water Polo Conference	I	Private	NY	East Region
Princeton University	Northeast Water Polo Conference	I	Private	NJ	East Region
Connecticut College	Northeast Water Polo Conference	III	Private	CT	East Region
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Northeast Water Polo Conference	III	Private	MA	East Region
California Institute of Technology	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
California Lutheran University	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
Chapman University	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
Occidental College	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
University of La Verne	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
University of Redlands	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
Whittier College	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	West Region
California Baptist University	West Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	West Region
Loyola Marymount University	West Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	West Region
Pepperdine University	West Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	West Region
San Jose State University	West Coast Conference	I	Public	CA	West Region
Santa Clara University	West Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	West Region
U.S. Air Force Academy	West Coast Conference	I	Public	CO	West Region
University of the Pacific	West Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	West Region
Mercyhurst University	Western Water Polo Association Men	I	Private	PA	West Region
Biola University	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	CA	West Region
Concordia University Irvine	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	CA	West Region
Fresno Pacific University	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	CA	West Region
Gannon University	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	PA	West Region
McKendree University	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	IL	West Region
Salem University (West Virginia)	Western Water Polo Association Men	II	Private	WV	West Region

🤽‍♀️ Women's Varsity Water Polo

Division
Women’s Water Polo

Governing Body
NCAA

Season
Spring Semester

Teams
63

Divisions
7

2024 Champion
UCLA

List of Colleges Competing in Women's Varsity Water Polo

Information updated from NCAA Directory

Name	Conference	Division	Public/Private	State	Region
California State University, Fullerton	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	Unassigned
California State University, Northridge	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
Long Beach State University	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
University of California, Davis	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
University of California, Irvine	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
University of California, San Diego	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
University of California, Santa Barbara	Big West Conference	I	Public	CA	East
University of Hawaii, Manoa	Big West Conference	I	Public	HI	East
Augustana College (Illinois)	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	IL	Unassigned
Austin College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	TX	Unassigned
Brown University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	RI	East
Bucknell University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	PA	East
Carthage College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	WI	East
Connecticut College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	CT	East
Grove City College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	PA	East
Harvard University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	MA	East
Macalester College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	MN	East
Pennsylvania State Univ. Erie, the Behrend College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Public	PA	East
Princeton University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	NJ	East
Saint Francis University	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Private	PA	East
University of Michigan	Collegiate Water Polo Association	I	Public	MI	East
Washington and Jefferson College	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	PA	East
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)	Collegiate Water Polo Association	III	Private	MA	Unassigned
Azusa Pacific University	Golden Coast Conference	II	Private	CA	East
California Baptist University	Golden Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	East
California State University, Fresno	Golden Coast Conference	I	Public	CA	East
Concordia University Irvine	Golden Coast Conference	II	Private	CA	East
Loyola Marymount University	Golden Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	East
San Diego State University	Golden Coast Conference	I	Public	CA	East
Santa Clara University	Golden Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	East
University of the Pacific	Golden Coast Conference	I	Private	CA	East
Iona University	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	NY	East
La Salle University	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	PA	East
Long Island University	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	NY	Unassigned
Marist College	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	NY	East
Mount St. Mary's University	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	MD	Unassigned
Siena College	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	NY	East
Villanova University	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	PA	East
Virginia Military Institute	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Public	VA	East
Wagner College	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	I	Private	NY	East
Arizona State University	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	AZ	East
Indiana University, Bloomington	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	IN	East
San Jose State University	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	CA	East
Stanford University	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Private	CA	East
University of California, Berkeley	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	CA	East
University of California, Los Angeles	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Public	CA	East
University of Southern California	Mountain Pacific Sports Federation	I	Private	CA	East
California Institute of Technology	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
California Lutheran University	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Chapman University	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Occidental College	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
University of La Verne	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
University of Redlands	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Whittier College	Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf.	III	Private	CA	East
Biola University	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Private	CA	Unassigned
California State University, Monterey Bay	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Public	CA	East
Fresno Pacific University	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Private	CA	East
Gannon University	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Private	PA	East
McKendree University	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Private	IL	East
Mercyhurst University	Western Water Polo Association Women	I	Private	PA	East
Salem University (West Virginia)	Western Water Polo Association Women	II	Private	WV	East