For students in Texas who are looking to start their higher education journey in an athletic school, the best NAIA schools in Texas can make all the difference in helping you find your passion and get into a school that matches your needs and goals perfectly.
There are many NAIA colleges in Texas, but only 14 of them make our list that anyone can get into.
Here’s what you need to know about these great schools to give you an idea of what they have to offer students like you!
For your interest:
- Complete list of 260 Best NAIA Schools For Student Athletes
- 12 Best NAIA Schools in Georgia for Student-Athletes
- 5 Best NAIA Schools in Arizona for Student Athletes
- 5 Best NAIA Schools in Alabama for Athletics
- 10 Best NAIA Schools in Ohio for Aspiring Athletes
What is an NAIA school?
NAIA which simply stands for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) governs colleges and universities that concentrate on basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and track & field.
A lot of schools are affiliated with either of these two governing bodies National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Do a lot of research before committing to a college so that it is a good fit for you. So many college athletes receive the opportunity to play on NAIA teams each year.
Players in the Naia schools in texas and across the country are expected to live up to the five core values of character, which are:
- Integrity
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Sportsmanship, and
- Servant leadership.
A large percentage of schools in the NAIA offer scholarships and as an NAIA athlete, you can be awarded grants worth up to $7,000.
Also Read: 15 Best Universities with high acceptance rates for international students in USA
What are the best NAIA Schools in Texas?
Below are the fourteen best NAIA colleges in Texas for you to make a more informed decision;
- Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins
- Paul Quinn College in Dallas
- Texas College in Tyler
- Wiley College in Marshall
- University of Houston-Victoria
- Huston- Tillotson University
- North America University
- The University of North Texas at Dallas
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Southwestern Assemblies of God universities
- Texas A&M University-San Antonia
- Texas A&M University-Texarjana
- Texas Wesleyan University
- Wayland Baptist University
Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins
Jarvis Christian College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Hawkins, Texas.
Jarvis Christian College, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 900 students, was given the Five-Star Institution Award for 2016 to 2017.
As one of the best NAIA Schools in Texas, at the college, you can play sports like:
- Softball
- Baseball
- Men’s basketball
- Women’s basketball
- Volleyball, track, and field.
NAIA basketball teams, along with cross country, golf, softball, volleyball, and soccer teams are part of their student program.
Attendees can be part of over 200 clubs and organizations, fostering leadership skills or simply entertaining students during their time on campus.
There are numerous athletic opportunities on campus to participate in high-quality, diverse sports that are unrivaled in East Texas.
Paul Quinn College in Dallas
As a private, non-profit institution located in Dallas, Paul Quinn College provides students with an affordable and high-quality education.
It is one of the NAIA colleges in Texas and students can choose from one of several majors and even have several on-campus job opportunities available to them.
Given its Christian heritage, Paul Quinn is extremely diverse, welcoming a high percentage of applicants each year.
Texas College in Tyler
The University of Texas-Tyler, which is located in Tyler, Texas, is an excellent option for people on a budget.
The college was founded in 1894 by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and is still affiliated with that sect.
As one of the best NAIA colleges in Texas, the school of Texas College with 927 students, competes in the sports of:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Cross country
- Soccer
- Softball, and
- Volleyball.
Nearly seventy percent of students live on campus while they are attending the university.
A variety of online learning, a distance learning program, and continuing education opportunities are available.
There are also in-person options, and every student is expected to spend at least three courses enrolled during their academic career.
Wiley College in Marshall
Wiley College is the largest of all the NAIA colleges in Texas, with 1,351 enrolled students.
It was founded in 1873 by black Baptists who were refused admission to white schools nearby. It is one of the historically black colleges in Texas.
The college offers:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Outdoor track and field
- Soccer, and
- Volleyball.
Marshall, Texas’s Wiley College is a four-year historically black college affiliated with the American Baptist Church.
Other NAIA Schools in Texas
Football NAIA Schools in Texas
Below are some of the top NAIA football schools in Texas for both Men and Women;
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University
- Texas College in Tyler
- Texas Wesleyan University
- Wayland Baptist University
- North American University
Basketball NAIA Schools in Texas
Below are some of the top NAIA basketball schools in Texas for both Men and Women;
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jarvis Christian College
- North American University
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Paul Quinn College
- Southwestern Assemblies of God University
- Texas College in Tyler
- Texas Wesleyan University
- The University of North Texas at Dallas
- Wayland Baptist University
Baseball NAIA schools in Texas
Below are some of the top NAIA baseball schools in Texas for both Men and Women;
- Arlington Baptist College
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jarvis Christian College
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Texas College in Tyler
- Texas Wesleyan University
- Wayland Baptist University
- Wiley College
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go pro from NAIA?
Yes, you can take the next level to your professional career at an NAIA school. In fact, many players go pro from the NCAA D2, NAIA, & NJCAA each year.
Are NAIA schools good?
For a less expensive route than a four-year university, attending these colleges is worth considering. The cost per year is low when compared to others. Additionally, the graduating rates are high and the student-to-faculty ratio is lower.
Are all NAIA schools religious?
Not all NAIA schools are religious, but many of them do have a strong affiliation with some type of faith. If you’re interested in attending a Christian college that follows your religion’s rules and philosophies, then NAIA may be right for you. How long does it take to get cleared by NAIA? Somewhat like the NCAA, the NAIA clearinghouse can take up to six months to clear an athlete, so the sooner you register, the better your chance of being cleared on time. Schools have different deadlines, but the closer to the registration deadline you register with the clearinghouse, the more likely it is that you will be cleared in time for your desired registration date. It's best to find out when your school's enrollment deadlines are and make sure you meet them. If you miss it, there's a good chance that not only will you not be eligible for athletics in time for tryouts, but also that you won't be able to enroll in classes at all—meaning no college for you!
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of the article on the best NAIA schools in Texas, these schools are highly recognized and can help you when you reach out to them.
We have yet more amazing and well-curated programs that should interest you when you click here to check out our home page.
References
- Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins
- Paul Quinn College in Dallas
- Texas College in Tyler
- Wiley College in Marshall
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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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