Most College Cheerleading National Championships
AP Photo
When you watch a college football or college basketball game, there’s more competition going on than what’s on the field or the court.
On the sidelines, cheerleading has become just as competitive of a sport at the college level — something that’s trickled down to high schools as well.
These are the 10 Division I colleges and universities with the most co-ed, all-girls and small co-ed Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) national cheerleading championships combined.
7. Western Kentucky University — 3 National Championships (Tie)
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Enrollment: 14,442
National championships: 2021, 2023 (all-girl), 2022 (small co-ed)
Bottom line: Western Kentucky has turned into a force to be reckoned with on the national level in recent years. The Hilltoppers have won all three of their national championships since 2021 and across two divisions — all-girl and small co-ed — with one title per year the last three years.
7. North Carolina State — 3 National Championships (Tie)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Enrollment: 25,973
National championships: 1986, 1990, 1991 (co-ed)
Bottom line: North Carolina State is one of the schools that dominated in the early years of UCA competition, winning three co-ed national championships in a five-year span from 1986 to 1991. North Carolina State has competed in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) since 2001, where it has won an additional four national titles.
7. University of Central Florida — 3 National Championships (Tie)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Enrollment: 58,749
National championships: 2003, 2007, 2020 (co-ed)
Bottom line: UCF’s football program has established itself as a national power over the last 20 years — just like its team of cheerleaders. Competing in UCA’s most competitive division, the Golden Knights have won three co-ed national titles since 2003 and broke a 13-year drought with their title in 2020.
7. University of South Florida — 3 National Championships (Tie)
Location: Tampa, Florida
Enrollment: 36,948
National championships: 2021-23 (co-ed)
Bottom line: The current most dominant program in UCA’s most competitive division is the University of South Florida, which won three consecutive co-ed national championships from 2021 to 2023. Will the Bulls be able to make it four in a row in 2024?