Best NAIA Schools in Nebraska: NAIA schools are usually much smaller in size, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good schools to attend!
There are currently more than 250 colleges and universities that belong to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with some of these being located in Nebraska alone.
If you’re interested in attending one of these NAIA schools in Nebraska and want to learn more about them, keep reading to discover eight of the best such institutions around!
Read our article on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to know more about the NAIA.
Is Nebraska a good place for student-athletes?
Nebraska is known for its thriving music scene, vast prairies, spacious farmlands, and unique attractions.
And although Nebraska isn’t known as a hotbed of college athletics, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any outstanding sports programs in the state!
The state is home to some of the top athletic schools in the United States that are members of the NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA, however, this article is just dedicated to the NAIA member schools, so let us dive down to business;
What are the best NAIA schools in Nebraska?
Here are the eight NAIA schools in Nebraska for you to make a more informed career decision;
| Best NAIA Schools in Nebraska | Nickname (Team) | Conference |
| College of Saint Mary | Saint Mary Flames | Great Plains |
| Peru State College | Peru State Bobcats | Heart of America |
| Midland University | Midland University | Great Plains |
| York College | York Panthers | Kansas |
| Hastings College | Hastings Broncos | Great Plains |
| Doane College | Doane Tigers | Great Plains |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Concordia Bulldogs | Great Plains |
| Bellevue University | Bellevue Bruins | North Star |
1. College of Saint Mary
The first on our list of NAIA schools in Nebraska is the College of Saint Mary, this is a private Catholic women’s university located in Omaha, Nebraska, and was established in 1923.
College of Saint Mary is religiously affiliated with the Catholic (Sisters of Mercy) and the school colors are navy blue, sky blue & gold.
The school’s athletic team called the Flames participates predominantly in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) for most of its sports since the 2015–16 academic year.
The swimming team and the diving team of the Flames also participate in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
The College of Saint Mary is involved in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women, including basketball, bowling, competitive dance, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Related: The 8 Best NAIA Schools in Oklahoma, Don’t Miss Out!
2. Peru State College
Peru State College is another top college in Nebraska that was founded in 1865 by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Peru.
The school is one of the members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics with its team (the Bobcats) competing predominantly in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since the 2011–12 academic year.
As one of the top NAIA colleges in Nebraska, the Bobcats participates in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women.
Peru State College Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, and football; while women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, softball, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include competitive cheer and competitive dance.
Related: The Best NAIA Schools in North Carolina For Student-Athletes
3. Midland University
The next on our list is Midland University, a private Lutheran university in Fremont, Nebraska that is religiously affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Midland University is also one of the top college athletic schools in Nebraska that is part of the NAIA and its team (the Warriors) primarily competing in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) for most of its sports since the 1969–70 academic year.
The Warrior’s official colors are navy blue and orange and they compete in 33 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women.
Midland University Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, powerlifting, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track, and field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling.
Midland University women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, flag football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track, and field (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance, eSports and shotgun sports.
Related: 10 Best NAIA Schools in Florida For Student-Athletes
4. York College
Founded in 1890, York University is a private college in York and is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ in the same city.
York College is also one of the top NAIA colleges in Nebraska, its athletic team (the Panthers) competes primarily in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference since the 2016–17 academic year
The Panthers also compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and compete in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women.
York College Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling.
The women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance, and eSports.
Related: 11 Best NAIA Schools in Michigan For Student-Athletes
5. Hastings College
Students looking to join the top NAIA colleges in Nebraska should check out Hastings College, this is one of the private schools that is religiously affiliated with the Presbyterian College in Hastings, Nebraska.
The Hastings athletic team is called the Broncos and they compete mainly in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 1969–70 academic year.
The Broncos of Hastings College compete in 24 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women, the men’s sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, and wrestling.
While women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, dance, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling; co-ed sports include cheerleading, eSports, and shotgun sports.
6. Doane College
Doane University was founded in 1872 and is a privately owned university in Crete, Nebraska.
Doane is one of the NAIA colleges in Nebraska with its athletic team (the Tigers) competing predominantly in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 1969–70 academic year.
The Tigers of Doane College compete in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women, the men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling.
Doane women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, and wrestling; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance, and shotgun sports.
Related: 21 Best NAIA Schools in Georgia for Student Athletes
7. Concordia University-Nebraska
Founded in 1894, Concordia University is a privately-owned Lutheran University in Seward, Nebraska, the school is religiously affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod as one of seven schools in the Concordia University System.
The Bulldogs is the name of Concordia University’s athletic team and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing predominantly in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 1969–70 academic year.
The Bulldogs of Concordia University compete in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women.
Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, track & field, and wrestling.
Women’s sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, powerlifting, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include eSports and shooting sports.
Related: 5 Best NAIA Schools in Arizona for Student Athletes
8. Bellevue University
Bellevue University was founded in 1966 as a private university in Bellevue, Nebraska, and is also one of the NAIA universities in the state.
The Athletic team is called the Bruin and they compete primarily competing in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) since the 2015–16 academic year.
They also competed previously in the defunct Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) from 1994–95 to 2014–15, this was the period the conference dissolved.
The Bruin of Bellevue University competes in 14 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women.
Bellevue Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track, while women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include eSports
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best NAIA Football schools in Nebraska?
The best NAIA football schools in Nebraska are Concordia University, Doane University, Hastings College, Midland University, and Peru State College.
What are the best NAIA Baseball schools in Nebraska?
The best NAIA Baseball schools in Nebraska are Bellevue University, Doane University, Midland University, Grace University, York University, Hastings College, Peru State College, and Concordia University.
What are the best NAIA basketball schools in Nebraska?
The best NAIA basketball schools in Nebraska are York University, Bellevue University, Hastings College, Concordia University, Midland University, Peru State College, College of Saint Mary, and Doane University.
Conclusion
This is where we end the article, these are the most recommended NAIA universities in Nebraska if you wish to have an enjoyable and competitive athletic college experience.
Resource:
- NAIA collegiate programs in Nebraska: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_college_athletic_programs_in_Nebraska
- NAIA Teams in Nebraska: https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/teams?state=ne&athleticAssociation=64&page=1
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