The following is a list of current Division III schools that have participated in the playoffs leading to the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
The playoffs began with four teams in 1973, expanded to eight teams to 1975, 16 teams in 1985, 28 teams in 1999, 32 teams in 2005,[1] and 40 teams in 2024.[2]
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Total | Pct. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Bulldogs | 4 | 1983 | 2014 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Albion Britons | 12 | 1977 | 2021 | 5 | 11 | 16 | ||
| Albright Lions | 5 | 1975 | 2015 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||
| Alfred Saxons | 4 | 1981 | 2016 | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||
| Alfred State Pioneers | 2 | 2023 | 2024 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Allegheny Gators | 8 | 1987 | 2003 | 5 | 7 | 12 | ||
| Alma Scots | 5 | 1999 | 2023 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Anderson (IN) Ravens | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Anna Maria Amcats | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Augsburg Auggies | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Augustana (IL) Vikings | 15 | 1976 | 2005 | 22 | 11 | 33 | ||
| Aurora Spartans | 9 | 1992 | 2024 | 3 | 8 | 11 | ||
| Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets | 6 | 1978 | 2003 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||
| Belhaven Blazers | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Benedictine (IL) Eagles | 3 | 2010 | 2014 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Berry Vikings | 4 | 2017 | 2024 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Bethany (WV) Bison | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bethel (MN) Royals | 13 | 2000 | 2024 | 13 | 12 | 25 | ||
| Bridgewater State Bears | 4 | 1999 | 2016 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Bridgewater (VA) Eagles | 7 | 2000 | 2019 | 10 | 7 | 17 | ||
| Brockport Golden Eagles | 7 | 2000 | 2019 | 7 | 7 | 14 | ||
| Buena Vista Beavers | 2 | 1976 | 1986 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Buffalo State Bengals | 7 | 1992 | 1999 | 2 | 7 | 9 | ||
| Cal Lutheran Kingsmen | 4 | 2009 | 2012 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Capital (OH) Crusaders | 4 | 1987 | 2007 | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||
| Carleton Knights | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Carnegie Mellon Tartans | 9 | 1978 | 2024 | 4 | 7 | 11 | ||
| Carroll (WI) Pioneers | 1 | 1976 | 1976 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Carthage Red Men | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Case Western Spartans | 5 | 2007 | 2019 | 2 | 5 | 7 | ||
| Catholic University Cardinals | 3 | 1997 | 1999 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Central (IA) Dutch | 22 | 1974 | 2021 | 24 | 21 | 45 | ||
| Centre Colonels | 4 | 2011 | 2024 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Chapman Panthers | 4 | 2014 | 2023 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Christopher Newport Captains | 11 | 2001 | 2023 | 3 | 11 | 14 | ||
| Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags | 1 | 2018 | 2018 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Coast Guard Bears | 2 | 1996 | 1997 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Coe Kohawks | 11 | 1985 | 2024 | 3 | 10 | 13 | ||
| Concordia Chicago Cougars | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Concordia–Moorhead Cobbers | 6 | 1986 | 2005 | 4 | 6 | 10 | ||
| Concordia Wisconsin Falcons | 4 | 2003 | 2013 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Cortland Red Dragons | 13 | 1988 | 2024 | 11 | 10 | 21 | ||
| Curry Colonels | 6 | 2003 | 2008 | 2 | 6 | 8 | ||
| Defiance Yellow Jackets | 1 | 2001 | 2001 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Delaware Valley Aggies | 12 | 2004 | 2023 | 14 | 12 | 26 | ||
| Denison Big Red | 2 | 1985 | 2018 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| DePauw Tigers | 6 | 2009 | 2024 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Dickinson Red Devils | 4 | 1989 | 2006 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Dubuque Spartans | 4 | 1979 | 2015 | 0 | 4 | 4 | ||
| East Texas Baptist Tigers | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Elmhurst Bluejays | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Endicott Gulls | 6 | 2010 | 2024 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Eureka Red Devils | 2 | 2017 | 2018 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Ferrum Panthers | 5 | 1987 | 2005 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||
| Framingham State Rams | 6 | 2012 | 2021 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Franklin Grizzlies | 9 | 2007 | 2017 | 5 | 9 | 14 | ||
| Gallaudet Bison | 2 | 2013 | 2022 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Gettysburg Bullets | 1 | 1985 | 1985 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Grove City Wolverines | 2 | 2023 | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Gustavus Adolphus Gusties | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Greenville Panthers | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hampden-Sydney Tigers | 7 | 1977 | 2014 | 1 | 7 | 8 | ||
| Hanover Panthers | 8 | 1995 | 2019 | 1 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Hardin–Simmons Cowboys | 13 | 1999 | 2024 | 4 | 12 | 16 | ||
| Hartwick Hawks | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Heidelberg Student Princes | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hendrix Warriors | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hiram Terriers | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hobart Statesmen | 13 | 2000 | 2024 | 9 | 12 | 21 | ||
| Hope Flying Dutchmen | 6 | 1986 | 2024 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Huntingdon Hawks | 7 | 2009 | 2022 | 2 | 7 | 9 | ||
| Husson Eagles | 4 | 2014 | 2018 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Illinois College Blueboys | 2 | 2011 | 2023 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Illinois Wesleyan Titans | 6 | 1992 | 2017 | 3 | 6 | 9 | ||
| Ithaca Bombers | 21 | 1974 | 2023 | 31 | 18 | 49 | ||
| John Carroll Blue Streaks | 8 | 1989 | 2024 | 9 | 7 | 16 | ||
| Johns Hopkins Blue Jays | 13 | 2005 | 2024 | 12 | 12 | 24 | ||
| Juniata Eagles | 1 | 1973 | 1973 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Kean Cougars | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| King's (PA) Monarchs | 2 | 2002 | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| LaGrange Panthers | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Lake Forest Foresters | 4 | 2002 | 2024 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Lakeland Muskies | 5 | 2005 | 2017 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Lawrence Vikings | 1 | 1981 | 1981 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| La Verne Leopards | 2 | 1994 | 2015 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen | 1 | 2013 | 2013 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Linfield Wildcats | 18 | 2000 | 2024 | 29 | 16 | 45 | ||
| Lycoming Warriors | 12 | 1985 | 2008 | 13 | 12 | 25 | ||
| Macalester Scots | 1 | 2014 | 2014 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Maine Maritime Mariners | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Maritime Privateers | 2 | 2010 | 2019 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Martin Luther Knights | 2 | 2018 | 2019 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders | 19 | 2002 | 2024 | 42 | 17 | 59 | ||
| Maryville Scots | 3 | 2013 | 2024 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| MIT Engineers | 3 | 2014 | 2019 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| McDaniel Green Terror | 5 | 1997 | 2001 | 2 | 5 | 7 | ||
| McMurry War Hawks | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Merchant Marine Mariners | 1 | 1994 | 1994 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Millikin Big Blue | 3 | 1989 | 2000 | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Millsaps Majors | 3 | 1975 | 2008 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Minnesota Morris Cougars | 6 | 1977 | 2023 | 3 | 6 | 9 | ||
| Monmouth (IL) Scots | 7 | 2005 | 2019 | 2 | 7 | 9 | ||
| Montclair State Red Hawks | 10 | 2005 | 2011 | 9 | 10 | 19 | ||
| Moravian Greyhounds | 2 | 1988 | 1993 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Mount Ida Mustangs | 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Mount St. Joseph Lions | 8 | 2004 | 2024 | 0 | 7 | 7 | ||
| Mount Union Purple Raiders | 35 | 1985 | 2024 | 112 | 21 | 133 | ||
| Muhlenberg Mules | 10 | 2002 | 2021 | 9 | 10 | 19 | ||
| TCNJ Lions | 5 | 1990 | 2007 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||
| North Carolina Wesleyan Bishops | 2 | 2007 | 2009 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| North Central (IL) Cardinals | 16 | 2005 | 2024 | 30 | 13 | 43 | ||
| Northwestern (MN) Eagles | 3 | 2016 | 2024 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Norwich Cadets | 2 | 2011 | 2015 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Ohio Northern Polar Bears | 4 | 1999 | 2015 | 5 | 4 | 9 | ||
| Olivet Comets | 2 | 2007 | 2016 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Otterbein Cardinals | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Pacific Lutheran Lutes | 6 | 1998 | 2013 | 8 | 5 | 13 | ||
| Plymouth State Panthers | 5 | 1984 | 2017 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens | 2 | 2022 | 2024 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets | 7 | 1984 | 2024 | 5 | 6 | 11 | ||
| Redlands Bulldogs | 10 | 1990 | 2021 | 0 | 10 | 10 | ||
| RPI Engineers | 7 | 1999 | 2021 | 7 | 7 | 14 | ||
| Rhodes Lynx | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Rochester Yellowjackets | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Rose–Hulman Fightin' Engineers | 2 | 2016 | 2021 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Rowan Profs | 16 | 1991 | 2014 | 31 | 16 | 47 | ||
| St. John Fisher Cardinals | 5 | 2004 | 2013 | 10 | 5 | 15 | ||
| Saint John's (MN) Johnnies | 29 | 1976 | 2024 | 44 | 26 | 70 | ||
| St. Lawrence Saints | 4 | 1976 | 2010 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| St. Norbert Green Knights | 13 | 1989 | 2018 | 2 | 13 | 15 | ||
| St. Olaf Oles | 1 | 1978 | 1978 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| St. Scholastica Saints | 5 | 2011 | 2015 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Salisbury Sea Gulls | 14 | 1983 | 2024 | 10 | 13 | 23 | ||
| Shenandoah Hornets | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Simpson Storm | 6 | 1988 | 2003 | 2 | 6 | 8 | ||
| Springfield Pride | 10 | 1998 | 2024 | 4 | 9 | 13 | ||
| Stevenson Mustangs | 1 | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Susquehanna River Hawks | 6 | 1986 | 2024 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Texas Lutheran Bulldogs | 2 | 2014 | 2024 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Thiel Tomcats | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Trine Thunder | 5 | 2008 | 2018 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Trinity (TX) Tigers | 16 | 1994 | 2024 | 14 | 15 | 29 | ||
| UMass Dartmouth Corsairs | 3 | 2002 | 2024 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Union (NY) Garnet Chargers | 13 | 1983 | 2023 | 11 | 13 | 24 | ||
| Ursinus Bears | 3 | 1996 | 2024 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Utica Pioneers | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Wabash Little Giants | 10 | 1977 | 2019 | 11 | 9 | 20 | ||
| Wartburg Knights | 17 | 1982 | 2024 | 17 | 16 | 33 | ||
| Washington–Saint Louis Bears | 3 | 1999 | 2016 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Washington & Jefferson Presidents | 27 | 1984 | 2024 | 23 | 26 | 49 | ||
| Washington and Lee Generals | 6 | 2006 | 2021 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Waynesburg Yellow Jackets | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Western Connecticut Wolves | 4 | 1985 | 2023 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Western New England Golden Bears | 6 | 2011 | 2019 | 1 | 6 | 7 | ||
| Westfield State Owls | 1 | 2001 | 2001 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Wheaton Thunder | 14 | 1995 | 2023 | 19 | 14 | 33 | ||
| Whitworth Pirates | 6 | 2001 | 2024 | 3 | 4 | 7 | ||
| Widener Pride | 14 | 1975 | 2014 | 19 | 12 | 31 | ||
| Wilkes Colonels | 3 | 1993 | 2006 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Willamette Bearcats | 3 | 1999 | 2008 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| William Paterson Pioneers | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds | 2 | 1998 | 2007 | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles | 15 | 1983 | 2024 | 19 | 12 | 31 | ||
| Wisconsin–Oshkosh Titans | 5 | 2012 | 2019 | 12 | 5 | 17 | ||
| Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers | 3 | 2013 | 2024 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons | 2 | 1995 | 1996 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers | 4 | 1986 | 2008 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| Wisconsin–Stout Blue Devils | 1 | 2000 | 2000 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks | 20 | 1988 | 2023 | 60 | 13 | 73 | ||
| Wittenberg Tigers | 19 | 1973 | 2017 | 22 | 17 | 39 | ||
| Wooster Fighting Scots | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| WPI Engineers | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
New England Small College Athletic Conference teams do not participate in any postseason in football, they are only allowed to play in-conference games.[3]
Former NCAA Division III teams that sponsored football at D-III level and had made at least one appearance in playoffs but had left NCAA Division III.
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Total | Pct. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1977 | 1977 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | 1982 | 1982 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | 1973 | 1973 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 11 | 1978 | 1992 | 16 | 9 | 25 | |||
| 5 | 1986 | 2000 | 3 | 5 | 8 | |||
| 1 | 1974 | 1974 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | 1975 | 1975 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 3 | 1993 | 2018 | 4 | 3 | 7 | |||
| 6 | 1983 | 1990 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |||
| 1 | 1975 | 1975 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1976 | 1976 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 2012 | 2012 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2 | 2001 | 2002 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||
| 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1979 | 1979 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 9 | 1990 | 2017 | 20 | 9 | 29 | |||
| 1 | 1973 | 1973 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1 | 1974 | 1974 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 8 | 1992 | 2016 | 4 | 8 | 12 | |||
| 1 | 1976 | 1976 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 4 | 1980 | 1988 | 4 | 3 | 7 | |||
| 15 | 2000 | 2019 | 30 | 15 | 45 | |||
| 2 | 1981 | 1982 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Currently NCAA Division III teams that sponsored football at D-III level and had made at least one appearance in playoffs but dropped their football programs.
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Total | Pct. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado College Tigers | 1 | 1975 | 1975 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Occidental Tigers | 7 | 1983 | 2008 | 3 | 7 | 10 |