You are probably reading this article because you are interested in knowing more about the best NAIA schools by state to enroll in.

So if this is your first time hearing it, we shall explain what the NAIA means, and what the organization does.

Contents

What does NAIA mean?

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:  10 Best Small Colleges in California | Expert List

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:  The 7 Best Police Academies in Kansas To Get Started

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 Michigan | 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.

Agbai Obasi
Agbai Obasi

Agbai Obasi is the founder of Ziiky.com and related brands; he is currently a master-level student of Information Security Systems Management, managing the security operations of this site; in his spare time, he creates tailored blog contents that speak directly to the needs and interests of students. Visit his website below to stay updated with cybersecurity industry insights, best practices, and more.

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