Gymnastics at College
NCAA Gymnastics in the USA is an incredible experience! Read to learn more about the opportunity and if this could be the right path for you.
NCAA Gymnastics is quickly growing and is now one of the most watched NCAA women’s sports. Here you will find all the key information on how you could become an athlete in the USA!
Complete a Gymnastics CV for more personalised feedback on your expectations in the US university system.
College gymnastics is an incredible platform for athletes who are committed to improving every day. When it comes to gymnastics recruitment, coaches will pay close attention to both training and competition footage, as well as scores and routine difficulty, to assess your potential fit for their programme.
How many colleges offer NCAA Gymnastics Programmes?
In total, there are currently 86 Gymnastics programmes across the USA. As one of the smallest NCAA sports, competition is tough and recruitment happens early. If you’re considering NCAA Gymnastics, it would be great to meet with you prior to completing your GCSE exams. This will give us plenty of time to discuss and maximise your recruitment opportunities.
Competing in Gymnastics at college:
As a college gymnast, you represent your university in high-energy meets throughout the season and compete across the four apparatus: Vault, Bars, Beam, and floor. During each event, six gymnasts compete, and the top five scores will count towards the team total. Although individual scores and event titles are recognised, college gymnastics is ultimately centred around team success.
As the season progresses, it builds towards the Conference Championships and eventually the NCAA National Championships, where the top programmes compete for national titles. Throughout this journey, gymnasts experience a fast-paced, high-pressure, and incredibly rewarding environment. It offers the chance to perform at a high level while also being part of a close-knit, supportive team that celebrate every routine.
NCAA Gymnast, Leanne Wong, representing the Florida Gators.
NCAA Gymnastics; when does the season take place?
The college gymnastics season takes place during the Spring semester, and competitions typically run from January through April. In the Autumn semester, teams train intensively, build their routines, and prepare for the competitive months ahead.
Once January arrives, the regular season begins and momentum builds quickly. Teams compete almost every weekend, travelling to face different universities or hosting opponents at home. These meets lead into the Conference Championships in March and then the NCAA National Championships in April. It becomes a busy period filled with travel, excitement and a strong sense of team spirit that truly defines college gymnastics.
University of Denver Coach, Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
What level do I need to be at to obtain an athletic scholarship?
Recruitment needs can vary significantly from programme to programme, depending on what each coach values in a gymnast. For instance, some coaches prioritise athletes who excel on specific events, such as Bars of Beam, because specialists can deliver key scores that strengthen the team’s total. In contrast, other coaches may focus recruitment on strong all-around gymnasts who contribute solid routines across multiple events.
In the end, coaches seek athletes who perform consistently under pressure and show potential to develop further within their programme. They consider scores, competition footage and overall presentation, but they also weigh attitude, work ethic and team fit. Since every programme has different needs, a gymnast who fits perfectly with one team may not align as closely with another. Therefore, the key is to find the environment where you can thrive both athletically and academically.
Iowa State Gymnastics, Senior Team Picture 2021-22.
Exploring other opportunities: Acrobatics and Tumbling
It is also important to highlight that Acrobatics and Tumbling has emerged as a rapidly growing NCAA sport across the the United States. This discipline suits artistic gymnasts especially well, as it allows them to explore a wider range of opportunities in college athletics. The routines blend gymnastics, tumbling, and cheer -based acrobatics, offering an exciting alternative for athletes who want to continue performing at a high level while thriving in the classroom.
For further information on Acrobatics and Tumbling take a look at our recent A&T blog:
Acrobatics & Tumbling: An NCAA Emerging Sport
Duquesne University Acrobatics & Tumbling Team
Next Steps:
If you’re a passionate gymnast looking to explore college opportunities in the USA, we’d love to hear from you. To get started, complete our Free Assessment and discover more about your potential pathway.
In addition, our Olympic Sports consultant, Phoebe Turner, a former Division I Gymnast at Iowa State University, has shared her personal journey competing in the NCAA. You can read her story here: Phoebe Turner – My Journey to the USA!
NCAA Gymnast, Phoebe Turner, representing Iowa State University.