Standards Engine › High jump
High jump scholarships in the USA: what marks do you need?
High jumpers are recruited across every division, and a big jump can be worth a lot to a team's points at conference championships.
High jump Standards Engine
Enter your high jump PB and see the US college level you could compete at, in seconds. Times are only one part of what coaches look at.
This shows the level your times suggest you could compete at. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of multiple factors: your second events, your grades, your attitude and how you come across during the recruitment process, and how long you have before you would start. Our free assessment looks at all of this.
Want to know what you could actually be offered?
Get your free assessmentEmail me my result
Get your result by email, with tips on what US coaches look for next.
Thanks! Your result is on its way. Check your inbox (and spam folder).
We only use your details to send your result and follow up about your scholarship options. You can unsubscribe at any time.
High jump standards by level
Each column shows the level of programme a mark suggests you could potentially compete at. Your overall scholarship package at any level is a combination of multiple factors, not just your times.
| D1 top | D1 large | D1 mid major | D2 large | D2 small | NAIA | JUCO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 2.12m | 2.05m | 2.00m | 2.02m | 1.96m | 1.92m | 1.85m |
| Women | 1.80m | 1.74m | 1.70m | 1.72m | 1.66m | 1.62m | 1.55m |
Outdoor, fully automatic timing; metres, senior implements. Guides, not guarantees. See standards for every event →
What US coaches look for in a high jump recruit
- Your PB and how recent it is. A season's best from this year counts for more than an older mark.
- Consistency. Coaches look at how often you clear near your best, not just one big jump.
- Physical profile and technique. Height, speed on the approach and room to improve.
- Your trajectory. How much you have improved over the last one to two seasons, and your training age. A fast-improving athlete can be recruited above their current mark.
Common second events: long jump, triple jump and multi-events.
Athletes we have supported in this event group
Out of our 430+ track and field athletes placed in the US:
Where the Standards Engine levels come from: officially released recruiting standards from US college coaches, our direct dialogue with coaches, and the reality of placing 430+ track and field athletes at US universities.
Frequently asked questions
What high jump do you need for a scholarship?
As a guide, men around 2.00m and women around 1.70m are in range for mid-major Division I programmes, with top Power 4 programmes looking closer to 2.12m and 1.80m. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of factors, including grades, attitude, second events and timing.
Can I get recruited if my mark is just outside the standard?
Often, yes. Coaches recruit on trajectory, range and potential as well as current marks, and many athletes improve significantly in their first US season. A free assessment will tell you where you realistically stand.
What are the D1 high jump marks for men and women?
As a guide from our Standards Engine, men need around 2.12m for top Division I (Power 4) programmes, 2.05m for large Division I programmes and 2.00m for mid-major Division I. For women the guide marks are 1.80m, 1.74m and 1.70m. These are final-year marks and guides, not guarantees: grades, second events and attitude all affect an offer.
What high jump mark do you need for Division II, NAIA or junior college?
For men, about 2.02m puts you in range for leading Division II programmes and 1.96m for smaller ones, 1.92m for NAIA and 1.85m for junior college (JUCO). For women the marks are 1.72m, 1.66m, 1.62m and 1.55m. All of these levels offer athletic scholarships, and some athletes move up to Division I later through a transfer.
Do younger athletes need to hit the same high jump marks?
No. Coaches recruit athletes with one or two years of school left on slightly shorter marks, about 1.8% per year, because they expect you to improve. Use the school-year option in the table above to see the standard for your stage.
Can I use an indoor high jump mark?
Yes. Wind does not affect the high jump, so coaches treat indoor and outdoor marks in much the same way. Consistency matters too: how often you clear heights close to your best.
Want to know where your high jump could take you?
We'll look at your PBs, grades and goals and tell you honestly where you could compete.
Get your free assessmentOpen the Standards Engine