Let’s answer the question you keep seeing everywhere: how much do college football players make? Short version—some stars earn millions, many starters land in the five- or low six-figures, and plenty of players still rely mostly on scholarship value and modest stipends. Long version—money now comes from several streams: NIL deals, a new revenue-sharing pool, education awards, cost-of-attendance stipends, need-based aid, plus the day-to-day perks of being on a major program. We’ll break each stream down, then stack realistic ranges so you can say “here’s how much college football players make” without guessing.
The Fast Answer (So You Have a Number in Your Head)
- National headliners (usually QBs, a few elite skill players): high six to seven figures in a big year.
- Power-conference starters/rotation players: commonly mid-five to low six figures when you add everything up.
- Depth pieces and many Group of Five players: four figures to low five, sometimes closer to scholarship value plus modest extras.
- Walk-ons: anywhere from nothing to small NIL; a few outliers break through.
That’s the shape. Now let’s build it, stream by stream, so “how much do college football players make” isn’t just a headline—it’s a framework.
Money Stream #1: NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness)
What it is
Brand money and creator money. Endorsements, appearances, social posts, camps, autographs, and those school-adjacent “collectives” that legally connect fans and businesses to athletes.
How it feels on the ground
- A star quarterback might sign a national campaign, drive a dealership car, and host a camp weekend.
- A starting safety might stack local appearances, social posts, and a couple of small brand deals.
- A backup tight end might monetize a podcast, sell a few shirts, and do one or two local promos.
Reality check
NIL is uneven by design. Visibility and position matter. Quarterbacks and explosive receivers live on billboards; linemen often live in group deals. For anyone asking how much do college football players make, NIL explains most of the ceiling and most of the inequality.
Money Stream #2: School Revenue Sharing
What it is
Beginning with the 2025–26 cycle, Division I schools can share a capped pool of athletics revenue with their athletes. Think of it as a new, school-paid layer that sits beside NIL and scholarships.
How it’s likely to be split
Schools will design their own formulas. Some will spread a baseline to many sports, then add tiers for football two-deep players. Others may concentrate more on starters in high-revenue programs. That’s why “how much do college football players make at my school?” is a local question. Policies will vary.
What it means for the roster
Expect a baseline for most scholarship players, then bigger slices for starters and heavy-usage roles. The pool rises over time, so today’s numbers are a floor, not a ceiling.
Money Stream #3: Scholarships and Cost-of-Attendance (COA)
Scholarships
A full ride covers tuition, fees, room, board, and books. That’s not cash, but it’s real money your family doesn’t pay. It anchors the value conversation even when NIL is thin.
COA stipends
Schools can pay a small monthly or semester-based stipend for everyday expenses (transportation, supplies, incidentals). Amounts differ by campus. When people ask how much do college football players make, they often ignore this line. Don’t. It’s consistent, predictable money.
Need-based aid
Some athletes also qualify for federal grants. Again, it’s not “salary,” but it improves the bottom line.
Money Stream #4: Education-Related Awards (Alston)
After the Alston ruling, schools can give education-related payments (often up to a few thousand dollars per year) for things like academic progress or performance. Many Power-conference programs budget this for scholarship athletes who hit the mark. It’s not splashy, but it’s steady—and it belongs in any honest answer to how much do college football players make.
Money Stream #5: Per Diems, Bowl Perks, Insurance and Miscellaneous
- Per diems/travel meals during away trips
- Bowl week gifts/allowances within NCAA limits
- Insurance programs (loss-of-value or disability)
None of this is headline money, but it rounds out the real picture.
Putting It Together: Realistic 2025 Ranges
These are ranges, not promises. Your school, your role, your market, your health, and your brand all matter.
Tier A: National Star (QB or marquee skill at a top program)
- NIL: high six to seven figures in a strong season
- Revenue sharing: meaningful slice if your school tiers by role
- Alston/COA/aid: a few thousand more
Practical read: If someone asks how much do college football players make at the top, this is the tier that pushes the number into the millions.
Tier B: Power-Conference Starter / Heavy Rotation
- NIL: mid-five to low six figures common; higher in football-mad markets
- Revenue sharing: solid baseline plus a “starter bump” if your school uses tiers
- Alston/COA/aid: steady add-ons
Practical read: A sane, defensible answer for this tier is $50k–$200k+ all-in.
Tier C: Depth / Special Teams at a Power School
- NIL: small local deals to low five figures
- Revenue sharing: baseline most likely, role-based bonus possible
Practical read: Several thousand to mid-five figures, plus scholarship value if you’re on aid.
Tier D: Group of Five / FCS Standouts
- NIL: varies widely; stars can do well locally
- Revenue sharing: exists, but smaller departments may allocate differently
Practical read: Four figures to low five figures is common, with outliers higher.
Tier E: Walk-Ons
- Scholarship: none by default
- NIL: possible (creator income, local partners)
- Revenue sharing: will depend entirely on school policy
Practical read: anywhere from $0 to modest amounts unless you become a storyline.
If you’re writing the sentence “how much do college football players make in 2025,” these five tiers will cover almost every situation you’ll meet.
Five Factors That Quietly Swing the Number
Position and star power
Quarterbacks rule the marketplace. Dynamic receivers, edge rushers, and lockdown corners follow. Centers and safeties are vital to winning—but NIL favors visibility.
Market and donor culture
A football-first town with an organized collective can lift the whole two-deep. A smaller market may focus on two or three faces. Same question—how much do college football players make—two very different answers.
Winning and TV windows
Primetime games multiply profiles. Playoff runs lift everyone the next offseason. Winning is still the best marketing department.
Personal brand and creator chops
Some backups out-earn starters because they tell their story well. A clean content plan plus steady posting can turn modest NIL into a dependable second stream.
The revenue-sharing slice
The pool is capped; the split isn’t. A school that spreads the pot thin will produce more modest individual payouts; a school that tiers heavily toward football starters will push certain players higher. If you’re mapping how much do college football players make, ask how your campus plans to allocate.
Taxes, Agents and Paperwork (Grown-Up Stuff That Matters)
- Taxes: NIL and revenue-sharing are taxable income. Set money aside or you’ll hate April.
- Representation: Marketing reps and agents (where allowed) take a cut; good ones can more than pay for themselves.
- Compliance: Every deal needs to meet state law and school policy. Miss a step and you can jeopardize eligibility.
- Budgeting: Big checks arrive unevenly. Plan like a pro: save, invest modestly, and avoid lifestyle creep.
If you’re a parent or player trying to estimate how much college football players make, the boring details determine what you actually keep.
For Recruits: How to Maximize Your Earning Path (Without Losing the Plot)
Pick fit over hype. Playing early matters more than standing on the sideline at a famous logo. The market pays production.
Own one thing on the field. Return kicks. Rush the passer. Move chains on third down. Specialists with signature value convert better.
Treat content like practice. Two posts a week beats one viral month. Brand partners buy consistency.
Study the local economy. Ask how your target school plans to distribute revenue sharing. Ask how the collective works. The honest version of how much do college football players make starts with those answers.
For Fans: Reading Headlines Without Getting Tricked
- A viral “valuation” isn’t a paycheck; it’s a projection.
- One outlier contract doesn’t set the average.
- A quiet backup might be banking steady, small NIL plus revenue sharing you never see.
- The smartest programs now market the whole room, not just the quarterback, which raises the floor across a roster.
When someone asks you how much do college football players make, you can say, “Stars can clear seven figures; starters often sit in the five-to-low six-figure range; depth and smaller programs land lower—but everyone’s floor is rising with revenue sharing.”
Quick Math Examples (So You Can Do It Yourself)
Example 1: Power-conference starting linebacker
- $45,000 in a mix of local NIL and appearances
- $25,000 in school revenue-sharing distributions
- ~$6,000 in education award
- ~$3,000 in COA stipend
Ballpark total: ~$79,000 before taxes and agent fees
Example 2: Group of Five starting QB
- $28,000 in regional NIL
- $12,000 in school share
- ~$6,000 education award
- ~$3,000 COA stipend
Ballpark total: ~$49,000 before taxes and fees
Example 3: National-name wide receiver
- $650,000 in NIL/brand/collective mix
- $40,000 in school share
- ~$6,000 education award
- ~$3,000 COA stipend
Ballpark total: ~$699,000 before taxes and fees
These are illustrations, not promises, but they’re grounded enough to make “how much do college football players make” tangible.
What Could Change Next
- Rising caps and evolving school policies could push more money toward starters or spread it wider to buy locker-room harmony.
- Conference realignment and media deals will re-shape the pie and the spotlight.
- Transfer market gravity will keep pulling top performers toward places that balance playing time, development, and compensation.
If you’re tracking how much college football players make, expect the floor to inch up and the ceiling to keep stretching.
Key Takeaways You Can Say Out Loud
- There isn’t one number. There’s a stack of numbers.
- NIL sets the ceiling; revenue sharing raises the floor.
- Scholarships, COA, and education awards make a consistent base.
- Position, playing time, market, and brand drive the gaps.
- The cleanest answer to how much do college football players make in 2025:
- Stars: seven figures possible.
- Starters: five to low six.
- Depth/Smaller programs: four to low five, plus scholarship value.
- Stars: seven figures possible.
FAQs
What’s the average NIL for a college football player?
There isn’t a true “average.” NIL is top-heavy. A few stars pull huge numbers while many teammates make hundreds or a few thousand. Think median, not mean.
Do all players get school revenue sharing now?
All athletes are eligible, but each school decides how to split its pool. Many will pay a baseline to most scholarship athletes and then tier up for starters.
Can walk-ons make money?
Yes. Walk-ons can earn NIL and, depending on campus policy, might receive a sliver of revenue sharing. The range is wide and driven by role and brand.
How much do college football players make after taxes and fees?
It varies by state, structure, and representation. A simple habit helps: earmark a chunk for taxes immediately, and budget as if your headline number were 25–35% smaller.
Is the market sustainable?
Expect adjustments. Schools will refine revenue-sharing formulas; collectives will get smarter; brands will pick partners more carefully. But the direction is clear: athletes are participants in the economy now.