FARGO, ND (February 8, 2026) – North Dakota State University has announced their intentions to join the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mountain West Conference for football beginning in the 2026 season. Collegiate Consulting assisted NDSU with a comprehensive FBS Feasibility Study and a follow-up benchmarking analysis.
Collegiate Consulting initially completed NDSU’s FBS Feasibility Study in 2021, examining both the Mountain West Conference and American Athletic Conference. The report provided comparisons and benchmarking for operating budgets, staffing levels, salaries, financial aid, sources of revenue and development of a five-year revenue and expense pro-forma for FBS reclassification. Collegiate Consulting updated the report in 2024, with a sole focus on the MWC, and both full and football-only membership.
Matt Larsen the NDSU Director of Athletics stated, “we are incredibly appreciative of all of work, focus and dedication from Collegiate Consulting to assist NDSU with this historic announcement of FBS reclassification and the Mountain West invitation.”
“We are thrilled with NDSU’s invitation to join the MWC and are confident NDSU will have immediate success competing for Mountain West championships and CFP playoff invitations,” stated Collegiate Consulting Managing Director, Russell Wright. “For our involvement, this invitation was five years in the making and past eight weeks was a whirlwind as both sides moved closer to the formal invitation.”
Previously, Collegiate Consulting has assisted six institutions Georgia State, Appalachian State, Missouri State, Sam Houston State, Jacksonville State, and Kennesaw State with their successful transition to FBS and is currently working with four FCS institutions as they explore FBS opportunities.