You may be familiar with the phrase, “D1 or bust,” but when it comes to pursuing your athletic dreams in college, there’s more than just the NCAA.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offers a great alternative for student-athletes, with a wide variety of schools, sports programs, and a supportive community. In fact, NAIA schools are known to be highly competitive and give out scholarship dollars.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how scholarships function within the NAIA and give you a comprehensive list of NAIA colleges.
What are NAIA schools?
NAIA schools are colleges and universities that are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They offer athletic programs and scholarships for student-athletes, focusing on a well-rounded educational experience.
How many NAIA schools are there?
There are 250 NAIA schools across the country.
NAIA scholarships
The NAIA has a significant scholarship fund of $1.3 billion to help student-athletes at its institutions. These scholarships follow an equivalency model, allowing coaches to distribute funds among multiple athletes. They cover crucial expenses like tuition, fees, books, supplies and even room and board.
Each sport has its own scholarship limit for recruiting, and the renewal of NAIA scholarships depends on annual evaluations carried out by coaches and schools.
How many scholarships can NAIA schools offer?
The max number of scholarships an NAIA school can offer ranges between 5-24 depending on the specific sport. For example, in football, each team can offer 24 scholarships, while in basketball, teams can provide 8 scholarships. Keep in mind that not all schools are fully funded, meaning not all sports programs can guarantee the maximum number of scholarships.
NAIA college recruiting and eligibility rules
NAIA college recruiting and eligibility rules are in place to guide the process for student-athletes who wish to participate in NAIA sports programs. Unlike the NCAA, the NAIA does not have specific recruiting calendar restrictions. Meaning, coaches and student-athletes can communicate directly throughout the year.
Regarding eligibility, the NAIA places importance on academic performance and completion of necessary coursework. While the NAIA doesn’t have specific core course requirements, student-athletes must still meet certain academic benchmarks.
Learn more about NAIA eligibility requirements.
It’s essential for student-athletes to familiarize themselves with the specific recruiting and eligibility rules set by the NAIA to ensure they meet the necessary criteria to participate in NAIA sports.
Best NAIA schools
NCSA’s power rankings offer comprehensive information on NAIA sports programs, academics and financial aspects, helping you compare NAIA schools and make an informed decision.
Use to view the Best NAIA Schools for Student-Athletes and discover the ideal NAIA institution for you.
NAIA schools list
School
City and State
Type
Conference
Division
Pippa Passes, Kentucky
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Private
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Phoenix, Arizona
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
Little Rock, Arkansas
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Ave Maria, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Kansas City, Missouri
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Baldwin City, Kansas
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Bellevue, Nebraska
Private
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Atchison, Kansas
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Mesa, Arizona
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Lindsborg, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
North Newton, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Mishawaka, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
McKenzie, Tennessee
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Blue Mountain, Mississippi
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Bluefield, Virginia
Private
Appalachain Athletic Conference
NAIA
Gainesville, Georgia
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Owensboro, Kentucky
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Mount Vernon, Georgia
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Sioux City, Iowa
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Dayton, Tennessee
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Eugene, Oregon
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Vallejo, California
Public
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Whiting, Indiana
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Campbellsville, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Conway, Arkansas
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
McPherson, Kansas
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Fayette, Missouri
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Dubuque, Iowa
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Howell, Michigan
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Brunswick, Georgia
Public
Sun Conference
NAIA
Omaha, Nebraska
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Point Lookout, Missouri
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Columbia, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Columbia, South Carolina
Private
Appalachain Athletic Conference
NAIA
Columbia, South Carolina
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Seward, Nebraska
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Salem, Oregon
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Nevada, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Paragould, Arkansas
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Canton, Missouri
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Lebanon, Tennessee
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Madison, South Dakota
Public
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Mitchell, South Dakota
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Dalton, Georgia
Public
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Dickinson, North Dakota
Public
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Crete, Nebraska
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Sioux Center, Iowa
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
La Grande, Oregon
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Prescott, Arizona
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Springfield, Missouri
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Olympia, Washington
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Montgomery, Alabama
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Boston, Massachusetts
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Nashville, Tennessee
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Temple Terrace, Florida
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Miami Gardens, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Hialeah, Florida
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Henderson, Tennessee
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Wichita, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Georgetown, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Public
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Goshen, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
University Park, Illinois
Public
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Winona Lake, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Lamoni, Iowa
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Des Moines, Iowa
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Hannibal, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Saint Louis, Missouri
Public
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Lawrencw, Kansas
Public
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Hastings, Nebraska
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Notre Dame, Indiana
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Fullerton, California
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
Huntington, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Austin, Texas
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Richmond, Indiana
Public
River States Conference
NAIA
Kokomo, Indiana
Public
River States Conference
NAIA
Gary, Indiana
Public
Association of Independent Institutions
NAIA
South Bend, Indiana
Public
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
New Albany, Indiana
Public
River States Conference
NAIA
Columbus, Indiana
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Marion, Indiana
Private
Mid-States Football Association
NAIA
Hawkins, Texas
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Knoxville, Tennessee
Private
Appalachain Athletic Conference
NAIA
Elgin, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Salina, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
West Palm Beach, Florida
Public
West Palm Beach
NAIA
Grayson, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Riverside, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Langston, Oklahoma
Public
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Southfield, Michigan
Private
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Lewiston, Idaho
Public
Frontier Conference
NAIA
San Dimas, California
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
Marietta, Georgia
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Columbia, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Pineville, Louisiana
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Alexandria, Louisiana
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Shreveport, Louisiana
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Sylvania, Ohio
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Livonia, Michigan
Private
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Indianapolis, Indiana
Private
Mid-States Football Association
NAIA
Mayville, North Dakota
Public
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
McPherson, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Atherton, California
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Olathe, Kansas
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Macon, Georgia
Public
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Fremont, Nebraska
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Midway, Kentucky
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Milligan University, Tennessee
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Saint Louis, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Marshall, Missouri
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Havre, Montana
Public
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Butte, Montana
Public
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Montreat, North Carolina
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Sioux City, Iowa
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Sumter, South Carolina
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Yankton, South Dakota
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Mount Vernon, Ohio
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Portland, Oregon
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Stafford, Texas
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Espanola, New Mexico
Public
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Kirkland, Washington
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Orange City, Iowa
Private
Great Plains Athletic Conference
NAIA
Oakland City, Indiana
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Huntsville, Alabama
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Circleville, Ohio
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Goodwell, Oklahoma
Public
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Ottawa, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Phoenix, Arizona
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
San Antonio, Texas
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Angwin, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Parkville, Missouri
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Gilbert, Arizona
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Dallas, Texas
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Public
PSUAC
NAIA
Peru, Nebraska
Public
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Little Rock, Arkansas
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
West Point, Georgia
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Pasadena, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Waleska, Georgia
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Billings, Montana
Private
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Holly Springs, Mississippi
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
St Mary of the Woods, Indiana
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Savannah, Georgia
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Atlanta, Georgia
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Portsmouth, Ohio
Public
River States Conference
NAIA
Adrian, Michigan
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Redding, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Aliso Viejo, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Lakeland, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Ashland, Oregon
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Public
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Waxahachie, Texas
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Bethany, Oklahoma
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Winfield, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Spring Arbor, Michigan
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Davenport, Iowa
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Laurinburg, North Carolina
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Miami, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Columbia, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Sterling, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Hillsboro, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Talladega, Alabama
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Upland, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Athens, Tennessee
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Texarkana, Texas
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Texarkana, Texas
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Tyler, Texas
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Caldwell, Idaho
Private
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Santa Clarita, California
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
Thomasville, Georgia
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Thomasville, Georgia
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Tougaloo, Mississippi
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Palos Heights, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Cleveland, Georgia
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Barbourville, Kentucky
Private
Appalachian Athletic Conference
NAIA
Lancaster, California
Public
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Vancouver, British Columbia
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Merced, California
Public
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Saint Louis, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Victoria, Texas
Public
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
Jamestown, North Dakota
Private
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Dearborn, Michigan
Public
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Mobile, Alabama
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Dillon, Montana
Public
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Dallas, Texas
Public
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Lima, Ohio
Private
Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
NAIA
Pikeville, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Great Falls, Montana
Private
Frontier Conference
NAIA
Rio Grande, Ohio
Private
River States Conference
NAIA
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Crossroads League
NAIA
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Frontier Conference
NAIA
San Marcos, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Leavenworth, Kansas
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Chickasha, Oklahoma
Public
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
Pulaski, Tennessee
Public
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Hobbs, New Mexico
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Public
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Victoria, British Columbia
Public
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Valley City, North Dakota
Public
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Costa Mesa, California
Private
Golden State Athletic Conference
NAIA
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Private
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Denmark, South Carolina
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Forest City, Iowa
Private
North Star Athletic Association
NAIA
Walla Walla, Washington
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Portland, Oregon
Private
Cascade Collegiate Conference
NAIA
Lake Wales, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Takoma Park, Maryland
Private
Continental Athletic Conference
NAIA
Plainview, Texas
Private
Sooner Athletic Conference
NAIA
Babson Park, Florida
Private
Sun Conference
NAIA
Beckley, West Virginia
Public
River States Conference
NAIA
Irvine, California
Private
California Pacific Conference
NAIA
Wilberforce, Ohio
Private
Mid-South Conference
NAIA
Marshall, Texas
Private
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
NAIA
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Private
Southern States Athletic Conference
NAIA
Oskaloosa, Iowa
Private
Heart of America Athletic Conference
NAIA
Fulton, Missouri
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Private
American Midwest Conference
NAIA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Private
Red River Athletic Conference
NAIA
York, Nebraska
Private
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
NAIA
FAQS
How many divisions are in NAIA?
The NAIA currently operates with a single division for all sports. While in the past there were separate divisions for men’s and women’s basketball, this changed in the 2020-2021 academic year. There is no longer an NAIA Division I or Division II.
What is the difference between NAIA and NCAA?
The NCAA and NAIA are separate governing bodies for collegiate athletics, each with their own rules and eligibility criteria. When deciding between NCAA and NAIA participation, it’s crucial to consider your personal goals and each difference between the two. Learn more.
What are the transfer rules for NAIA?
To be eligible for the NAIA as a transfer student, certain requirements must be met, such as completing a minimum of 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of institutional credit in the last two semesters or three quarters before transferring. Learn more about NAIA transfer rules.
