260 Best NAIA Schools By States For Student Athletes [UPDATED]

NAIA simply stands for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, it is a nonprofit organization that is responsible for regulating athletic programs at the college level.

The NAIA has subdivisions that you should be aware of, they include;

NAIA Division I
NAIA Division II, and

NAIA Division III

The NAIA was founded in 1938 and consists of over 250 institutions, most of these NAIA schools are in the United States, and we also have some NAIA universities in Canada.

The NAIA headquarters is located in Kansas City, Missouri with over 77,000 student-athletes competing.

In this article, we shall carefully list the NAIA colleges according to their states or region to help you make a more informed decision.

Without further ado, let us go straight to business;

What are the Best NAIA Schools by State?

Best NAIA Schools in Kentucky

Alice Lloyd College

Berea College
Brescia University
Campbellsville University

University of the Cumberlands
Georgetown College
Kentucky Christian University

Lindsey Wilson College
Midway University
University of Pikeville

Thomas More University
Union College

Related: The 11 Best NAIA Schools in Kentucky for Aspiring Athletes

Best NAIA Athletic Institutions in California

University of Antelope Valley

California State University Maritime Academy
University of California, Merced
Hope International University

La Sierra University University
Life Pacific University
The Master’s University

Menlo College
Pacific Union College
Providence Christian College

University of Saint Katherine
San Diego Christian College
Simpson University

Soka University of America
Vanguard University
Westcliff University

Westmont College
William Jessup University

Learn More: The Best NAIA Schools in California To Get Into

Best NAIA Athletic Schools in Michigan

Aquinas College

Cleary University
Concordia University-Michigan
Cornerstone University

Lawrence Technological University
Madonna University
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Rochester University
Siena Heights University
Spring Arbor University

Related: 11 Best NAIA Schools in Michigan For Student-Athletes

Best NAIA Sports Schools in Arizona

Arizona Christian University
Benedictine University at Mesa
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott

Ottawa University Arizona
Park University Gilbert

Learn more: 5 Best NAIA Schools in Arizona for Student Athletes

Best NAIA Schools in Arkansas

Lyon College

Rainer University
Williams Baptist College
Philander Smith College

John Brown University
Crowley’s Ridge College
Central Baptist College

Arkansas Baptist College

See more: 8 Best Football Colleges In New York - Detailed Guide

Best NAIA Schools in Florida

Ave Maria University
Florida College

Florida Memorial University
Florida National University
Keiser University

St. Thomas University
Southeastern University
Warner University

Webber International University

Learn more: 10 Best NAIA Schools in Florida For Student-Athletes

Best NAIA Sports Schools in Missouri

Avila University
Central Methodist University

Columbia College (MO)
Columbia College (SC)
Cottey College

Culver-Stockton College
Evangel University
Hannibal-LaGrange University

Harris-Stowe State University
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Valley College
Park University
Stephens College

William Woods University

Related: The 14 Best NAIA Schools in Missouri For Student-Athletes

Best NAIA Athletic Schools in Oklahoma

Bacone College
Langston University

Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Oklahoma Wesleyan University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
Southwestern Christian University

Also read: The 8 Best NAIA Schools in Oklahoma, Don’t Miss Out!

Best NAIA Institutions in Ohio

Cedarville University
Canton’s Malone University
Cincinnati Christian University

Lourdes University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Ohio Christian University

Shawnee State University
Wilberforce University
University of Northwestern Ohio

University of Rio Grande

Learn More: 10 Best NAIA Schools in Ohio for Aspiring Athletes

Best NAIA Schools in Kansas

Baker University
Benedictine College

Bethany College
Bethel College (KS)
Central Christian College of Kansas

Friends University
Haskell Indian Nations university
Kansas Wesleyan University

McPherson College
Mid-America Nazarene University
Ottawa University

University of Saint Francis
Southwestern College
Tabor College

Related: Top 15 Best NAIA Schools in Kansas For Student-Athletes: Don’t Miss

Best NAIA Institutions in Nebraska

York College
College of Saint Mary
Peru State College

Midland University
Hastings College
Doane College

Concordia University-Nebraska
Bellevue University

Related: 8 Best NAIA Schools in Nebraska for Prospective Students

Best NAIA Institutions in Alabama

There are athletic colleges in Alabama that are part of the NAIA, they include;

Faulkner University
University of Mobile
Oakwood University

Stillman College
Talladega College

Learn More: 5 Best NAIA Schools in Alabama for Athletics

Best NAIA Universities and Colleges in Indiana

Bethel College (IN)

Calumet College of St. Joseph
Goshen College
Grace College & Seminary

Holy Cross College
Huntington University
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech)

Indiana University East
Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University Southeast
Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC)

Indiana Wesleyan University
Marian University
Oakland City University

University of Saint Francis
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Taylor University

See more: 10 Best Small Colleges in Alabama | Expert List

Best NAIA Schools in Tennessee

Bethel University (TN)
Bryan College
Cumberland University

Fisk University
Freed-Hardeman university
Johnson University
Milligan University
University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern)
Tennessee Wesleyan College

The Best NAIA Schools in Tennessee For Athletes

Best NAIA Schools in Mississippi

Blue Mountain College
Rust College
Tougaloo College
William Carey University

Best NAIA Schools in Virginia

Bluefield University
University of the Virgin Islands

Best NAIA Schools in Georgia

Brenau University
Brewton-Parker College
College of Coastal Georgia
Dalton State College
Georgia Gwinnett College
Life University
Middle Georgia State University
Point University
Reinhardt University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Thomas University
Truett McConnell University

Learn more: 12 Best NAIA Schools in Georgia for Student-Athletes

Best NAIA Schools in Iowa

Briar Cliff University
Clarke University
Dordt University
Graceland University
Grand View University
Iowa Wesleyan University
Morningside University
Mount Mercy University
Northwestern College
St. Ambrose University
Waldorf University
William Penn University

Best NAIA Schools in British Columbia

We have two NAIA universities in British Columbia, they are;

University of British Columbia
University of Victoria

Best NAIA Schools in Oregon

Bushnell University
Corban University
Eastern Oregon University
Multnomah University
Oregon Institute of Technology
Southern Oregon University
Warner Pacific University

Best NAIA Schools in Wisconsin

There are not many athletic schools in Wisconsin that are members of the NAIA, we have just about two of them;

Cardinal Stritch University
Viterbo University

Best NAIA Schools in Pennsylvania

Here are the 3 Best NAIA college athletic universities in Pennslyvania;

Carlow University
Penn State Schuylkill
Point Park University

Best NAIA Schools in Montana

Caroll College
Montana State University-Northern
Montana Technological University
University of Montana-Western
University of Providence
Rocky Mountain College

Best NAIA Schools in South Carolina

Columbia College (SC)
Columbia International University
Morris College
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Voorhees College

Best NAIA Schools in South Dakota

There are about 4 athletic schools in South Dakota that are members of the NAIA, they include;

Dakota State University
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mount Marty University
Presentation College

Best NAIA Schools in North Dakota

North Dakota has four athletic schools that are members of the NAIA, it includes;

Dickinson State University
University of Jamestown
Mayville State University
Valley City State University

Best NAIA Schools in Louisiana

Dillard University
Louisiana Christian University
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
Loyola University New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans
Xavier University of Louisiana

See more: 10 Best Islamic Schools in North Carolina | All You Need To Know

Best NAIA Schools in Washington

Washington has four institutions that are part of the NAIA, they include;

The Evergreen State College
Northwest University
Walla Walla University
Washington Adventist University

Best NAIA Schools in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has just one NAIA school which is;

Fisher College

Best NAIA Schools in Illinois

Governors State University
Judson University
Olivet Nazarene University
Roosevelt University
University of St. Francis
Saint Xavier University
Trinity Christian College
Trinity International University

Best NAIA Colleges in Texas

University of Houston-Victoria
Huston-Tillotson University
Jarvis Christian College
North America University
The University of North Texas at Dallas
Our Lady of the Lake University
Paul Quinn College
Southwestern Assemblies of God universities
Texas A&M University-San Antonia
Texas A&M University-Texarjana
Texas College
Texas Wesleyan University
Wayland Baptist University
Wiley College

Learn More: 14 Best NAIA Schools In Texas That You Can Get Into

Best NAIA Schools in Idaho

There are two NAIA colleges in Idaho, they include;

College of Idaho
Lewis-Clark State College

Best NAIA Athletic Schools in North Carolina

There are just two NAIA schools in North Carolina, they include;

Montreal College
St. Andrews university

Also read: The Best NAIA Schools in North Carolina For Student-Athletes

Best NAIA Athletic Schools in New Mexico

There are just about two NAIA schools in New Mexico, they include;

Northern New Mexico College
University of the Southwest

Best NAIA School on US Virgin Island

There is only one NAIA school in US Virgin Islands;

University of the Virgin Islands

Best NAIA Universities in Maryland

Washington Adventist University is the only NAIA school in Maryland.

Best NAIA Institutions in West Virginia

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is the only NAIA school in West Virginia.

What are the Best NAIA basketball schools?

Concordia University – Nebraska.
St. Ambrose University.
Bethel University – Indiana.
University of Michigan – Dearborn.
Taylor University.
Marian University – Indiana.
John Brown University.
Westmont College.

What are the Best NAIA Schools for Track and Field?

Loyola University New Orleans.
Bethel University – Indiana.
The College of Idaho.
University of Michigan – Dearborn.
Asbury University.
Indiana Wesleyan University.
Concordia University – Nebraska.
College of the Ozarks.

What are the Best NAIA Schools for Baseball?

Georgia Gwinnett College
Central Methodist University
Southeastern University
Lewis-Clark State College
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Faulkner University
Indiana University Southeast
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
LSU Shreveport University
University of the Cumberlands

Resource

Conclusion

There are many NAIA institutions across the country, and this article is written in a way that you find what you are looking for.

To read more articles about athletic schools, visit our ATHLETIC SCHOOLS category, but if you are just interested in NAIA member schools, visit our NAIA Colleges category.

If you are a school or organization and want to partner with us, simply contact us.