Scholarship Shortfall Search Tool
Recruits & parents – choose your school wisely. College athletes, manage your debt wisely.
The scholarship shortfall is the sum of expenses included in a university’s cost of attendance but is not paid for by a “full” scholarship because of NCAA rules. While the average scholarship shortfall is $2763, these expenses vary school to school – from as low as $200/yr. to more than $6000/yr. The scholarship shortfall numbers are only estimates. Actual expenses will vary person to person.
The NCPA partnered with Ellen Staurowsky, Professor and Chair, Graduate Program in Sport Management Program, at Ithaca and her graduate students: Kate Hagenbuch, Stephanie Koenig, Allison LaMay, Chase Milanese, Travis Sherry, and Brent Stout to complete this study. The NCPA extends a special thank you to these individuals on behalf of high school recruits, college athletes, and their parents nationwide.Top 10 Schools With Largest Scholarship Shortfall
Rank |
University |
1 Yr. |
4 Yr. |
5 Yr. |
1st |
Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis |
$6,120 |
$24,480 |
$30,600 |
2nd |
University of Missouri, Kansas City |
$5,930 |
$23,720 |
$29,650 |
3rd |
East Tennessee State University |
$5,868 |
$23,472 |
$29,340 |
4th |
Saint Louis University |
$5,613 |
$22,452 |
$28,065 |
5th |
University of Louisville |
$5,391 |
$21,564 |
$26,955 |
6th |
Charleston Southern University |
$5,283 |
$21,132 |
$26,415 |
7th |
University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
$5,154 |
$20,616 |
$25,770 |
8th |
Miami University (Ohio) |
$5,098 |
$20,392 |
$25,490 |
9th |
Utah Valley State College |
$5,076 |
$20,304 |
$25,380 |
10th |
University of Central Arkansas |
5011 |
$20,044 |
$25,055 |
Top 10 Schools With Smallest Scholarship Shortfall
Rank |
University |
1 Yr. |
4 Yr. |
5 Yr. |
327th |
State University of New York at Binghamton |
$1,000 |
$4,000 |
$5,000 |
328th |
The Citadel |
$1,000 |
$4,000 |
$5,000 |
329th |
University of North Florida |
990 |
$3,960 |
$4,950 |
330th |
University of Richmond |
$990 |
$3,960 |
$4,950 |
331st |
Tulane University |
$936 |
$3,744 |
$4,680 |
332nd |
Providence College |
$921 |
$3,684 |
$4,605 |
333rd |
College of the Holy Cross |
$900 |
$3,600 |
$4,500 |
334th |
Colgate University |
$875 |
$3,500 |
$4,375 |
335th |
Gardner-Webb University |
$700 |
$2,800 |
$3,500 |
336th |
University of South Carolina Upstate |
$200 |
$800 |
$1,000 |