NCSA doesn't publish its prices. You won't find them on ncsasports.org — not on the pricing page, not in the FAQ, not in the fine print. To find out what NCSA costs, you have to schedule a call with a sales representative. That's not an accident. This article breaks down what NCSA actually charges, what each tier includes, and what the alternatives cost — so you have the numbers before you pick up the phone.
Why the pricing isn't public
Most legitimate services post their prices. NCSA doesn't, and the reason is straightforward: the sales process works better when families don't know the number in advance. If families saw "$3,000–$4,200" on a webpage, many would close the tab. By making the price reveal a live conversation — one where the family's anxiety about their athlete's future is fully engaged — NCSA creates better conditions for closing a sale.
This isn't speculation. Parents who have been through the call describe a consistent pattern: no pricing provided ahead of time, a strong push to get on the phone, and then a price revealed in the context of an emotional conversation about their athlete's future. One parent in our research described the price as ranging "from $2k to $7k depending on how much you love your kid — while your kid is on the phone too." That's a negotiating tactic, not a pricing structure.
The free tier
NCSA does offer a genuinely free tier. Athletes can create a profile that includes their stats, GPA, test scores, and highlight video. The free account also includes access to NCSA's college search tool — which lets you filter programs by division, location, and sport — and the ability to message coaches directly through the platform.
These are real features, and they work. If all you need is a centralized profile and access to a large coach database, the free tier delivers that. It's worth creating.
What the free tier doesn't include: a dedicated recruiting coach, access to NCSA's workshops and webinars, or recruiter-assisted introductions to programs. Those are premium features — the main things NCSA sells on the call.
The premium tiers
NCSA offers multiple premium plans. The exact tier names and prices change over time, and the price you're quoted may vary depending on the salesperson, your sport, your athlete's graduation year, and what the representative believes your family will accept.
Based on published market research and firsthand parent accounts, the price range is:
Entry-level premium: ~$1,320
Adds a dedicated recruiting coach — an NCSA staff member, not a college coach — and access to some workshops and educational resources. Basic tier for families who want guidance but have a budget ceiling.
Mid-tier: ~$2,500–$3,000
More intensive access to your recruiting coach, expanded workshop content, and recruiter-assisted introductions to college programs. One parent paid $3,000 for what NCSA called their "MVP package" and reported that their child "didn't get a single email that wasn't an automated camp invite."
High-end premium: ~$4,200+
Described as the most comprehensive package. Includes the full suite of NCSA's advisory services. Whether the additional cost over the mid-tier translates to meaningfully better outcomes is not well-documented in independent accounts.
The word "recruiting coach" appears across all premium tiers. NCSA's recruiting coaches are NCSA employees — they help guide families through the process and can facilitate introductions, but they are not former college coaches with active relationships at specific programs. They provide structure and process support, not insider access.
What the sales call looks like
Understanding the sales process matters for understanding the pricing, because the number you're quoted depends partly on how the conversation goes.
NCSA's calls follow a structure. The representative builds rapport, establishes what the family wants, demonstrates NCSA's platform, and then reveals a price — often with a time-limited discount. Your athlete is typically encouraged to be on the call. This is intentional: decisions made with a child present are more emotionally charged, and parents who hesitate may hear something like "you've already invested so much in their sport, why would you stop now?"
One parent described it: "He gave me a lecture about how we've spent all of this money for them to be in the sport — so why would we not spend this to ensure they're recruited?" Another said the price seemed to depend on "how much you love your kid." A third described walking away feeling like the call was a "scam," not because NCSA is fraudulent, but because the sales mechanics felt designed to override deliberate decision-making.
If you schedule a call, go in knowing the published range ($1,320–$4,200+). Ask for the specific price in writing before agreeing to anything. Any legitimate service will still be available the next day — you don't have to decide on the call.
How NCSA's pricing compares to alternatives
College recruiting doesn't require a paid platform. Athletes can contact coaches directly, for free, at any division, at any time. Here's how NCSA's premium pricing compares to the alternatives:
| Option | Cost | What you get |
|---|
| NCSA premium | $1,320–$4,200+ | Dedicated recruiting coach, workshops, recruiter-assisted coach introductions |
| SportsRecruits | $399/year | Profile, coach messaging, activity feed showing who viewed your profile |
| FieldLevel | Free–$49/month | Profile and coach messaging; coach-endorsed profiles; activity tracking on premium |
| Stack Athlete | $22.50–$199.95/month | Profile, coach database, counselor meetings on higher tiers |
| Scorability | Free | Passive profile; coaches find you through AI matching (athlete cannot initiate) |
| Hudl + direct email | Free–$200/year | Video hosting, highlight reel; contact any coach directly by email |
The most important thing in that table: every platform except NCSA costs under $400/year, and direct outreach costs nothing. The core recruiting actions — building a profile, hosting video, emailing coaches, researching programs — don't require a premium subscription of any kind. What NCSA's premium tiers sell is structure, accountability, and the recruiting coach relationship. Whether those additions justify $1,320–$4,200 depends on how much guidance your family needs and how willing you are to manage the process yourselves.
The bottom line
NCSA's prices are deliberately hard to find. The actual range — based on parent accounts and market research — is roughly $1,320 at the entry level up to $4,200 or more for premium tiers. The price you're quoted may reflect the salesperson's read on your family as much as any fixed tier structure.
The free tier is worth using. The premium tiers provide some value — primarily structure and accountability — but rarely at a level that justifies the cost for families willing to drive the process themselves. Before committing to a premium package on a sales call, know what you're buying, know the price range, and take 24 hours to decide.
For a full evaluation of what NCSA actually delivers at each price tier — including what real families experience after signing up — read our complete NCSA review. If you're ready to reach out to coaches directly without a paid platform, our guide on how to email a college coach covers exactly what to say. And if you're weighing where to put your recruiting budget, money spent on camps and showcases where coaches can evaluate your athlete in person often delivers more concrete results than a subscription service.