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 8 teams to 1975, 16 teams in 1985, 28 teams in 1999, and finally 32 teams in 2005.[1]
| 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 | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 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 | 8 | 1992 | 2023 | 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 | 3 | 2017 | 2019 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Bethany (WV) Bison | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bethel (MN) Royals | 12 | 2000 | 2023 | 13 | 12 | 25 | ||
| Birmingham-Southern Panthers | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 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 | 8 | 1978 | 2022 | 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 (KY) Colonels | 3 | 2011 | 2018 | 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 | 10 | 1985 | 2023 | 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 | 12 | 1988 | 2023 | 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 | 5 | 2009 | 2023 | 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 | 5 | 2010 | 2023 | 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 | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 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 | 12 | 1999 | 2023 | 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 | 12 | 2000 | 2016 | 9 | 12 | 21 | ||
| Hope Flying Dutchmen | 5 | 1986 | 2019 | 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 | 7 | 1989 | 2018 | 9 | 7 | 16 | ||
| Johns Hopkins Blue Jays | 12 | 2005 | 2023 | 12 | 12 | 24 | ||
| Juniata Eagles | 1 | 1973 | 1973 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Kean Cougars | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| King's (PA) Monarchs | 1 | 2002 | 2002 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| LaGrange Panthers | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Lake Forest Foresters | 3 | 2002 | 2022 | 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 | 17 | 2000 | 2022 | 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 | ||
| SUNY Maritime Privateers | 2 | 2010 | 2019 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Martin Luther Knights | 2 | 2018 | 2019 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders | 18 | 2002 | 2022 | 42 | 17 | 59 | ||
| Maryville Scots | 2 | 2013 | 2018 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| UMass Dartmouth Corsairs | 2 | 2002 | 2022 | 0 | 2 | 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 | 7 | 2004 | 2023 | 0 | 7 | 7 | ||
| Mount Union Purple Raiders | 34 | 1985 | 2023 | 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 | 15 | 2005 | 2023 | 30 | 13 | 43 | ||
| Northwestern–St. Paul Eagles | 2 | 2016 | 2022 | 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 | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets | 6 | 1984 | 2023 | 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 | 28 | 1976 | 2022 | 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 | 13 | 1983 | 2022 | 10 | 13 | 23 | ||
| Shenandoah Hornets | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Simpson Storm | 6 | 1988 | 2003 | 2 | 6 | 8 | ||
| Springfield Pride | 9 | 1998 | 2023 | 4 | 9 | 13 | ||
| Stevenson Mustangs | 1 | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Susquehanna River Hawks | 5 | 1986 | 2023 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Texas Lutheran Bulldogs | 1 | 2014 | 2014 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Thiel Tomcats | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Trine Thunder | 5 | 2008 | 2018 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Trinity (TX) Tigers | 15 | 1994 | 2023 | 14 | 15 | 29 | ||
| Union (NY) Garnet Chargers | 13 | 1983 | 2023 | 11 | 13 | 24 | ||
| Ursinus Bears | 2 | 1996 | 1999 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Utica Pioneers | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Wabash Little Giants | 10 | 1977 | 2019 | 11 | 9 | 20 | ||
| Wartburg Knights | 16 | 1982 | 2023 | 17 | 16 | 33 | ||
| Washington–Saint Louis Bears | 3 | 1999 | 2016 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Washington & Jefferson Presidents | 26 | 1984 | 2018 | 23 | 26 | 49 | ||
| Washington and Lee Generals | 6 | 2006 | 2021 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||
| Waynesburg Yellow Jackets | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Western Connecticut State Colonials | 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 | 5 | 2001 | 2023 | 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 | 14 | 1983 | 2023 | 19 | 12 | 31 | ||
| Wisconsin–Oshkosh Titans | 5 | 2012 | 2019 | 12 | 5 | 17 | ||
| Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers | 2 | 2013 | 2016 | 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.[2]
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 | 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 |