There are 416 D3 Men's College Programs and 441 Women's teams. In Oregon, George Fox, Linfield, Pacific University, Willamette University compete in D3 on the Men's side. Those same schools along with Lewis & Clark College compete at the D3 level on the Women's side. The average D3 school has 2,600 students. There are no athletic scholarships in Division 3. That said, many D3 schools offer significant financial aid.

The level of play at the D3 is quite high, with most student-athletes having played high-level club soccer during high school. It's also common to find athletes competing at the D3 level who may have had D1 or D2 opportunities, but decided in the end that a D3 school was a better fit.

The fall season at the D3 level is every bit as intense as the D1 or D2 level. Teams train or play 6 days/week and the schedule can be hectic. It's the spring season is that is less intense in D3. Teams are only allowed 15 practice dates during a 5 week window. Outside of this window, it's common for D3 programs to hold "captain's practices", voluntary workouts where players to continue to develop their game. But the coaches are not allowed to be present at these practices or make them mandatory. Because of this "less intense" spring season, students are able to focus more on their academics, to get involved in more campus activities and perhaps to study abroad. It's fair to say that D3 athletics offer more balance between athletics and academics.