The Opportunities for Female Student Athletes in the US
Scholarships, Resources, and Support for Women in College Sports
Over the past decades, women’s sport has grown rapidly, particularly at university level in America. Female student-athletes now have more opportunities than ever, and the future continues to look very promising.
For many international athletes, both male and female, the American university system offers something very different from their home countries. Athletes train in a professional environment while earning a degree. Teams have full coaching staff, strength and conditioning coaches, medical teams, and access to facilities on campus.
Financial support is another key factor. Many athletes receive sports scholarships, which help cover expenses while competing and studying in the U.S.
Support for female athletes continues to grow, with stronger programmes, increased funding, and greater visibility. However, the system did not always look like this.
In this article, we provide a brief history of college sports in the USA., the impact of Title IX, the growth of women’s programmes, and insights from female student-athletes.
A Short History of College Sports
College sports as we know it today did not originally begin in the United States. In fact, early programmes developed in the United Kingdom, where students at universities such as Oxford and Cambridge formed organised teams.
These programmes were mainly for men. The same pattern continued when university sport expanded in the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For decades, men’s sport dominated university athletics. Women’s teams existed but often had fewer resources and limited access to competition. That began to change following Title IX.
The Turning Point – Title IX
In 1972, the United States introduced Title IX, a federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in any education programme receiving federal funding.
In college sports, this means institutions must provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. This includes scholarships, facilities, coaching, and competition.
Title IX encouraged universities to invest in women’s sport and expand programmes. More teams were created, scholarships increased, and participation grew across sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, and athletics.
Before Title IX, fewer than 30,000 women competed in college athletics. Today, female athletes are a central part of the U.S. system. In March 2026, the NCAA reported that more than 240,000 female student-athletes competed in women’s sports during the 2024–2025 academic year – a number that continues to rise each year.
Visibility in Women’s Sport
Visibility has also driven the growth of women’s sport. Historically, women’s sport received far less media coverage than men’s, but this has begun to change in recent years. Women’s college sports attract larger audiences and increased media attention.
Another major development came with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules in 2021. NIL allows student-athletes to sign sponsorship deals, promote brands, and monetise their social media presence while still competing. Several female athletes have built strong personal brands and achieved some of the highest NIL valuations in university sport.
Top female NIL athletes include:
- Flau’jae Johnson: Basketball (LSU) – $1.5M NIL valuation
- Aaliyah Chavez: Basketball (committed to Oklahoma) – $1.5M NIL valuation
- Kai Trump: Golf (committed to Miami) – $1.2M NIL valuation
NIL opportunities give female athletes a platform beyond the court or pitch. Greater media presence, social followings, and sponsorship deals increase visibility for both the athletes and women’s sport as a whole. When young athletes see women competing and succeeding at a high level, it normalises participation and inspires the next generation.
Data and Stories of Female Student-Athletes Thriving in U.S. Universities
For Keystone Sports, the impact on female student-athletes in the USA is clear. Data from our Class of 2025 report shows that 73% of full scholarships secured by Keystone Sports athletes went to women, and 22% of all female athletes received a full scholarship.
For many of these athletes, the biggest adjustment when moving to America. is the level of support university programmes provide. Beyond scholarships, athletes gain access to top training facilities, experienced coaches, sports medicine, nutrition planning, and academic support – all in one place.
With daily training and competitions across the country, the American system offers a level of structure and investment that is difficult to match in traditional European club systems.
Spanish footballer and former student-athlete Lorena Montañés describes the experience:
“When I arrived in California, I was impressed by the level of resources and support available to us. In addition to the coaching staff, we have a team of trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists, sports psychologists, as well as a media team.”
She also highlighted the financial support and professional approach:
“Football scholarships for women open doors to a more professional athletic experience. As a Division I women’s football player, I felt like a professional athlete for the first time.”
Helena Robla, a former Northern Arizona University swimmer, explains the opportunities university sport offers female athletes:
“Decades ago, combining elite sport and higher education was not always accessible to women in the same way it is today. Now, university swimming in the U.S. offers female athletes a structured, supportive, and empowering pathway.”
Their experiences reflect what many international athletes discover upon arrival in the USA: a system designed to support the whole athlete – not only in sport, but in every aspect surrounding it.
Opportunities and Support in Women’s College Sport
Female participation in U.S. university sport has grown significantly over the past decades. While progress continues, the system is already one of the strongest environments for women to develop both athletically and academically.
Women’s college sport in the USA allows talented athletes to study and compete, and it’s an opportunity that is often difficult to find in other countries. Curious about your own pathway and what might be possible? Take our free assessment and find out today!
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Paulina Romo
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