In college athletics in the United States, institutions typically join in conferences for regular play under different governing bodies.

Varsity sports

There are several national and regional associations governing the varsity teams of colleges and universities. Varsity teams are typically funded by an institution's athletic department, and under some governing bodies players are eligible for athletic scholarships.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Division I

This list also includes conferences in sports that the NCAA does not split into divisions.

Division II

Division III

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA)

Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC)

Independent conferences

Other collegiate sports associations

Boxing

Cycling

Fencing

Gymnastics

Lacrosse

Rowing

Sprint football

Volleyball

Water polo

Wrestling

List of oldest college sports conferences

The following table is a sortable listing of the oldest college sports conferences (organizations of athletic teams at the collegiate level) in the United States of America. This includes U.S. collegiate sports organizations of NCAA Divisions I, II, and III; as well as various sports including Rowing, Cricket, Basketball, Hockey, Wrestling, Football, Basketball, Track, and more.