In US collegiate rugby, Independent teams are programs that compete outside the structure of a formal conference or league. These teams schedule their own matches, often facing opponents from multiple regions or divisions, allowing for greater flexibility but requiring more logistical coordination. Independence can result from geographic isolation, emerging program status, or a strategic choice to maintain control over scheduling and competition level. 

These teams might compete in different divisions and either through College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) or National Collegiate Rugby (NCR). With an independent schedule, each game is hugely important in making a team's case for a national-level postseason berth.