The CCWHA was established with the goal of encouraging and improving opportunities in ice hockey for women; developing and encouraging sportsmanship among all players for the betterment of their physical and social well-being; and conducting an organized League wherein women enjoy recreational and competitive ice hockey.

*Michigan State (D1) left the league in 2004 and rejoined at a later date.#Roosevelt acquired Robert Morris's women's hockey team.Enrollment Founded

Nickname *MSU and Notre Dame both left the league (2006 and 2004 respectively) and returned when the 2nd division was formed in 2014.

[5] CCWHA Teams have combined to win eleven national championships, including ten of the seventeen ACHA Women's Division I national championships since the ACHA began sanctioning women's hockey in 2000–01.

[6] Since 2011, the American Collegiate Hockey Association has supplied players for the United States team at the World University Games women's hockey tournament, held biennially and as part of the multi-sport event for college and university student-athletes.