How many college athletic programs are there?

As of 2023, there are over 1,200 collegiate athletic programs operating in the United States. These programs are affiliated with various colleges and universities, both public and private, across the country. The majority of these programs participate in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I, II, or III levels, while some compete in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) or other smaller athletic conferences.