Best NAIA Schools in North Carolina: NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) schools are private or public colleges that offer athletic programs alongside traditional academic studies and enroll an average of 20,000 students every year.
For many student-athletes, NAIA schools provide the best collegiate experience possible by offering high-quality sports, impressive coaching staff, and smaller class sizes than their NCAA counterparts.
If you’re a student-athlete in North Carolina and you’re wondering what the best NAIA school near you is, then this article is for you.
What is the NAIA?
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and its nearly 300 member colleges and universities represent a large number of student-athletes at institutions across the United States and Canada.
While it may be surprising to learn that North Carolina has some schools that compete in the NAIA, it’s true that these schools offer many benefits to student-athletes competing in sports ranging from basketball and football to baseball, softball, volleyball, and soccer.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about some of the best NAIA schools in North Carolina.
Related rankings:
- 10 Best NAIA Schools in Florida For Student-Athletes
- 11 Best NAIA Schools in Michigan For Student-Athletes
- 9 Best NAIA Schools in Tennessee For Athletes
- Top 15 Best NAIA Schools in Kansas For Student-Athletes: Don’t Miss
What is an NAIA School?
An NAIA school is, therefore, a college that participates in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
This means that you’ll have the opportunity to play for a team and compete against other colleges within your conference.
These teams are usually smaller than what you would find at a Division I school, so it’s important to be aware of this before you sign on to play for one.
Read this: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for all you need to know about the NAIA.
What are the best NAIA schools in North Carolina?
There are currently just two NAIA schools in North Carolina; Montreat College which is located in Montreat and St. Andrews University, located in Laurinburg.
The table below shows the schools, their athletic teams, and the conference they compete predominantly;
| Best NAIA Schools in North Carolina (Source: Wikipedia) | ||
| School | Athletic Team | Conference |
| Montreat College, Montreat. | Montreat Cavaliers | Appalachian |
| St. Andrews University, Laurinburg. | St. Andres Knights | Appalachian |
1. St. Andrews University
St. Andrews University is a privately-owned Christian college in North Carolina located in Laurinburg offering liberal arts and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
This tertiary institution was founded in 1958 when Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs and Presbyterian Junior College was merged.
St. Andrews University is one of the NAIA member schools in North Carolina that primarily competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2012–13 academic year.
Learn more about the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), FAQs & Best Reviews.
St. Andrews University Sports Sponsorship:
St. Andrews University’s athletic team is called the Knights and they participate in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women, including;
|
St. Andrews University NAIA Sports |
||
| Sports | Men | Women |
| Basketball | Yes | Yes |
| Baseball | Yes | No |
| Football | Yes | No |
| Softball | No | Yes |
| Swimming | Yes | Yes |
| Soccer | Yes | Yes |
| Cross Country | Yes | Yes |
| Golf | Yes | Yes |
| Lacrosse | Yes | Yes |
| Tennis | Yes | Yes |
| Track & Field | Yes | Yes |
| Wrestling | Yes | Yes |
| Volleyball | Yes | Yes |
St. Andrews University Notable Alumni:
- Audrey Bolte
- Erin Harkes
- Nancy A. Henry
- Seth Jahn
- Lydia Lavelle
- Mark L. Perkins
Related rankings:
- 21 Best NAIA Schools in Georgia for Student Athletes
- 5 Best NAIA Schools in Arizona for Student Athletes
2. Montreat College
Founded in 1916, Montreat College is a four-year, privately-owned Christian college located in Montreat, North Carolina, and offers programs that lead to an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree.
Montreat College is also one of the NAIA colleges in North Carolina competing predominantly in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2001–02 academic year.
Montreat previously competed as an independent in the South Region of the Division II level when it was a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).
Montreat College NAIA Sports Sponsorship:
The athletic team of Montreat College is called the Cavaliers and they compete in 22 NAIA intercollegiate varsity sports for both men and women;
|
Montreat College NAIA Sports |
||
| Sports | Men | Women |
| Basketball | Yes | Yes |
| Baseball | Yes | No |
| Softball | Yes | Yes |
| Soccer | Yes | Yes |
| Cross Country | Yes | Yes |
| Golf | Yes | Yes |
| Lacrosse | Yes | Yes |
| Tennis | Yes | Yes |
| Track & Field | Yes | Yes |
| Wrestling | Yes | Yes |
| Volleyball | No | Yes |
Montreat College Notable Alumni:
- Abdul Bangura
- Joseph Chambers
- Cylk Cozart
- Carlos Crawford
- Franklin Graham
- Sammy Stewart
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you make a more informed decision about your career!
If you are in North Carolina and seeking to get into an athletic college that is a member of the NAIA, these schools are the most recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of attending an NAIA School?
There are many athletic schools across the states, however, most students prefer NAIA schools because they are really competitive at reasonable price, they offer scholarships and student-athletes can take their careers to a professional level.
How do you get into an athletic college?
To get into an athletic college, students should look for schools that have a strong athletic tradition and offer the academic requirements they need to succeed.
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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.
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