List of NAIA institutions

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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has 235 member colleges and universities for athletic competition in the 2025–26 season.[1]

NAIA institutions

  • Note: Non-basketball playing institutions are denoted by *.
  • Departing members are highlighted in red.
More information School, Nickname ...
List of NAIA institutions
School Nickname City State/
province/
territory
Enrollment
(Fall 2023)
Conference
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Golden StallionsTiftonGeorgia3,768Southern States Athletic Conference
Alice Lloyd College EaglesPippa PassesKentucky553Continental Athletic Conference
Aquinas College SaintsGrand RapidsMichigan1,295Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Arizona Christian University FirestormPhoenixArizona1,233Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Arkansas Baptist College BuffaloesLittle RockArkansas373Continental Athletic Conference
Ave Maria University GyrenesAve MariaFlorida1,335Sun Conference
Avila University EaglesKansas CityMissouri1,733Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Baker University WildcatsBaldwin CityKansas1,945Heart of America Athletic Conference
Bellevue University BruinsBellevueNebraska14,476Frontier Conference
Benedictine College RavensAtchisonKansas2,465Heart of America Athletic Conference
Benedictine University at Mesa RedhawksMesaArizona2,989Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Bethany College SwedesLindsborgKansas637Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Bethel College (KS) ThreshersNorth NewtonKansas502Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Bethel University (IN) PilotsMishawakaIndiana1,222Crossroads League
Bethel University (TN) WildcatsMcKenzieTennessee2,974Mid-South Conference
Bismarck State College MysticsBismarckNorth Dakota4,065Frontier Conference
Blue Mountain Christian University ToppersBlue MountainMississippi971Southern States Athletic Conference
Bluefield University RamsBluefieldVirginia989Appalachian Athletic Conference
Brenau University[a] Golden TigersGainesvilleGeorgia2,420Appalachian Athletic Conference
Brescia University BearcatsOwensboroKentucky638River States Conference
Brewton–Parker Christian University BaronsMount VernonGeorgia1,123Southern States Athletic Conference
Briar Cliff University ChargersSioux CityIowa940Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of British Columbia*[b] ThunderbirdsVancouverBritish Columbia60,863Cascade Collegiate Conference
Bryan College LionsDaytonTennessee1,548Appalachian Athletic Conference
Bushnell University BeaconsEugeneOregon758Cascade Collegiate Conference
Cal Poly Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) KeelhaulersVallejoCalifornia805California Pacific Conference
Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) Crimson WaveWhitingIndiana674Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Campbellsville University TigersCampbellsvilleKentucky12,451Mid-South Conference
Carolina University BruinsWinston-SalemNorth Carolina893Continental Athletic Conference
Carroll College Fighting SaintsHelenaMontana1,103Frontier Conference
Central Baptist College MustangsConwayArkansas550American Midwest Conference
Central Christian College of Kansas TigersMcPhersonKansas455Sooner Athletic Conference
Central Methodist University EaglesFayetteMissouri1,017Heart of America Athletic Conference
Clarke University CrusadersDubuqueIowa1,025Heart of America Athletic Conference
Cleary University CougarsHowellMichigan1,040Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
College of Coastal Georgia MarinersBrunswickGeorgia3,189Sun Conference
Columbia College (MO) CougarsColumbiaMissouri6,046American Midwest Conference
Columbia College (SC) KoalasColumbiaSouth Carolina1,572Appalachian Athletic Conference
Columbia International University RamsColumbiaSouth Carolina2,631Appalachian Athletic Conference
Concordia University–Nebraska BulldogsSewardNebraska3,423Great Plains Athletic Conference
Corban University WarriorsSalemOregon866Cascade Collegiate Conference
Cornerstone University Golden EaglesGrand RapidsMichigan1,735Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Cottey College[a] CometsNevadaMissouri266American Midwest Conference
Crowley's Ridge College PioneersParagouldArkansas225American Midwest Conference
Culver–Stockton College WildcatsCantonMissouri1,069Heart of America Athletic Conference
Cumberland University PhoenixLebanonTennessee3,072Mid-South Conference
University of the Cumberlands PatriotsWilliamsburgKentucky20,327Mid-South Conference
Dakota State University TrojansMadisonSouth Dakota3,508Frontier Conference
Dakota Wesleyan University TigersMitchellSouth Dakota886Great Plains Athletic Conference
Dalton State College RoadrunnersDaltonGeorgia4,902Southern States Athletic Conference
Defiance College Yellow Jackets and Lady JacketsDefianceOhio511Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Dickinson State University Blue HawksDickinsonNorth Dakota1,453Frontier Conference
Dillard University Bleu Devils & Lady Bleu DevilsNew OrleansLouisiana1,122HBCU Athletic Conference
Doane College TigersCreteNebraska1,948Great Plains Athletic Conference
Dordt University DefendersSioux CenterIowa1,929Great Plains Athletic Conference
Eastern Oregon University MountaineersLa GrandeOregon2,798Cascade Collegiate Conference
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott EaglesPrescottArizona3,286Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Evangel University ValorSpringfieldMissouri2,157Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Evergreen State College GeoducksOlympiaWashington2,320Cascade Collegiate Conference
Faulkner University EaglesMontgomeryAlabama2,933Southern States Athletic Conference
Fisher College FalconsBostonMassachusetts1,501Continental Athletic Conference
Fisk University BulldogsNashvilleTennessee1,005HBCU Athletic Conference
Florida College FalconsTemple TerraceFlorida657Continental Athletic Conference
Florida Memorial University LionsMiami GardensFlorida1,365Sun Conference
Florida National University ConquistadorsMiamiFlorida2,638Continental Athletic Conference[2]
Freed–Hardeman University LionsHendersonTennessee2,294Mid-South Conference
Friends University FalconsWichitaKansas1,927Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Georgetown College TigersGeorgetownKentucky1,463Mid-South Conference
Georgia Gwinnett College GrizzliesLawrencevilleGeorgia11,907Continental Athletic Conference
Goshen College Maple LeafsGoshenIndiana824Crossroads League
Governors State University JaguarsUniversity ParkIllinois4,337Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Grace College & Seminary LancersWinona LakeIndiana2,271Crossroads League
Graceland University YellowjacketsLamoniIowa1,195Heart of America Athletic Conference
Grand View University VikingsDes MoinesIowa1,796Heart of America Athletic Conference
Hannibal–LaGrange University TrojansHannibalMissouri441American Midwest Conference
Harris–Stowe State University HornetsSt. LouisMissouri1,098American Midwest Conference
Haskell Indian Nations University Fighting IndiansLawrenceKansas878Continental Athletic Conference
Hastings College BroncosHastingsNebraska1,011Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis[c] EutecticsSt. LouisMissouri631American Midwest Conference
Hesston College LarksHesstonKansas308Continental Athletic Conference
Holy Cross College SaintsNotre DameIndiana547Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Hope International University RoyalsFullertonCalifornia1,140Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Huntington University ForestersHuntingtonIndiana1,504Crossroads League
Huston–Tillotson University RamsAustinTexas1,029HBCU Athletic Conference
College of Idaho CoyotesCaldwellIdaho1,076Cascade Collegiate Conference
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) WarriorsFort WayneIndiana2,862Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Indiana University Columbus (IU Columbus) Crimson PrideColumbusIndiana932River States Conference
Indiana University East (IU East) Red WolvesRichmondIndiana2,985River States Conference
Indiana University Kokomo (IU Kokomo) CougarsKokomoIndiana2,892River States Conference
Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest) RedhawksGaryIndiana3,045Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Indiana University South Bend (IU South Bend) TitansSouth BendIndiana4,446Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Indiana University Southeast (IU Southeast or IUS) GrenadiersNew AlbanyIndiana3,752River States Conference
Indiana Wesleyan University WildcatsMarionIndiana2,207Crossroads League
Jarvis Christian University BulldogsHawkinsTexas800Red River Athletic Conference
(HBCU Athletic Conference in 2026)
John Brown University Golden EaglesSiloam SpringsArkansas2,341Sooner Athletic Conference
Johnson University RoyalsKimberlin HeightsTennessee950Appalachian Athletic Conference
Judson University EaglesElginIllinois1,058Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Kansas Wesleyan University CoyotesSalinaKansas951Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Keiser University SeahawksWest Palm BeachFlorida20,102Sun Conference
Kentucky Christian University KnightsGraysonKentucky541River States Conference
La Sierra University Golden EaglesRiversideCalifornia1,611Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Langston University LionsLangstonOklahoma1,910Sooner Athletic Conference
Lawrence Technological University
(Lawrence Tech)
Blue DevilsSouthfieldMichigan3,260Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Lewis–Clark State College WarriorsLewistonIdaho3,706Cascade Collegiate Conference
Life University EaglesMariettaGeorgia2,711Southern States Athletic Conference
Life Pacific University WarriorsSan DimasCalifornia504Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Lindsey Wilson University Blue RaidersColumbiaKentucky4,055Mid-South Conference
Louisiana Christian University WildcatsPinevilleLouisiana950Red River Athletic Conference
Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSU Alexandria) GeneralsAlexandriaLouisiana5,330Red River Athletic Conference
Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSU Shreveport) Pilots & Lady PilotsShreveportLouisiana9,736Red River Athletic Conference
Lourdes University[d] Gray WolvesSylvaniaOhio1,014Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Loyola University New Orleans Wolf PackNew OrleansLouisiana4,351Southern States Athletic Conference
Madonna University CrusadersLivoniaMichigan2,054Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Marian University KnightsIndianapolisIndiana3,586Crossroads League
The Master's University MustangsSanta ClaritaCalifornia2,799Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Mayville State University CometsMayvilleNorth Dakota1,025Frontier Conference
McPherson College BulldogsMcPhersonKansas788Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
University of Michigan–Dearborn WolverinesDearbornMichigan8,035Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Mid-America Christian University EvangelsOklahoma CityOklahoma2,183Sooner Athletic Conference
MidAmerica Nazarene University PioneersOlatheKansas1,539Heart of America Athletic Conference
Midland University WarriorsFremontNebraska1,557Great Plains Athletic Conference
Midway University EaglesMidwayKentucky1,945River States Conference
Milligan University BuffaloesElizabethtonTennessee1,200Appalachian Athletic Conference
Mission University[5] PatriotsSpringfieldMissouri377American Midwest Conference
Missouri Baptist University SpartansSt. LouisMissouri5,641Heart of America Athletic Conference
Missouri Valley College VikingsMarshallMissouri1,619Heart of America Athletic Conference
University of Mobile RamsPrichardAlabama1,911Southern States Athletic Conference
Montana State University–Northern Lights and SkylightsHavreMontana1,021Frontier Conference
Montana Technological University
(Montana Tech)
OrediggersButteMontana1,622Frontier Conference
University of Montana–Western BulldogsDillonMontana1,458Frontier Conference
Montreat College CavaliersMontreatNorth Carolina932Appalachian Athletic Conference
Morningside University MustangsSioux CityIowa2,158Great Plains Athletic Conference
Morris College HornetsSumterSouth Carolina421Continental Athletic Conference
Mount Marty University LancersYanktonSouth Dakota1,314Great Plains Athletic Conference
Mount Mary University[a] Blue AngelsMilwaukeeWisconsin1,224Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Mount Mercy University MustangsCedar RapidsIowa1,451Heart of America Athletic Conference
Mount Vernon Nazarene University CougarsMount VernonOhio1,845Crossroads League
Nelson University LionsWaxahachieTexas1,725Sooner Athletic Conference
New College of Florida Mighty BanyansSarasotaFlorida732Sun Conference
North American University StallionsStaffordTexas923Red River Athletic Conference
University of North Texas at Dallas TrailblazersDallasTexas3,797Red River Athletic Conference
Northern New Mexico College EaglesEspañolaNew Mexico1,310California Pacific Conference
Northwest University EaglesKirklandWashington999Cascade Collegiate Conference
Northwestern College Red RaidersOrange CityIowa1,665Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) RacersLimaOhio2,606Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Oakland City University Mighty OaksOakland CityIndiana650River States Conference
Oakwood University Ambassadors & Lady AmbassadorsHuntsvilleAlabama1,319HBCU Athletic Conference
Oklahoma City University StarsOklahoma CityOklahoma2,763Sooner Athletic Conference
Oklahoma Panhandle State University AggiesGoodwellOklahoma1,071Sooner Athletic Conference
Oklahoma Wesleyan University EaglesBartlesvilleOklahoma947Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Olivet Nazarene University TigersBourbonnaisIllinois3,275Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Oregon Institute of Technology
(Oregon Tech)
OwlsKlamath FallsOregon5,103Cascade Collegiate Conference
Ottawa University BravesOttawaKansas1,055Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Ottawa University Arizona SpiritSurpriseArizona836Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Our Lady of the Lake University SaintsSan AntonioTexas2,096Red River Athletic Conference
College of the Ozarks BobcatsPoint LookoutMissouri1,427Sooner Athletic Conference
Pacific Union College PioneersAngwinCalifornia938California Pacific Conference
Park University PiratesParkvilleMissouri6,634[e]Heart of America Athletic Conference
Park University Gilbert BuccaneersGilbertArizona6,634[e]Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Paul Quinn College TigersDallasTexas602HBCU Athletic Conference
Peru State College BobcatsPeruNebraska1,638Heart of America Athletic Conference
Philander Smith University PanthersLittle RockArkansas866HBCU Athletic Conference
University of Pikeville BearsPikevilleKentucky2,610Appalachian Athletic Conference
Point University SkyhawksWest PointGeorgia2,827Southern States Athletic Conference
University of Providence ArgonautsGreat FallsMontana677Frontier Conference
Reinhardt University EaglesWaleskaGeorgia1,170Appalachian Athletic Conference
University of Rio Grande RedStormRio GrandeOhio2,168River States Conference
Rochester Christian University WarriorsRochesterMichigan1,170Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain College Battlin' BearsBillingsMontana991Frontier Conference
Rust College BearcatsHolly SpringsMississippi429HBCU Athletic Conference[6]
St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees & Queen BeesDavenportIowa2,703Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
(Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2026)
University of St. Francis Fighting SaintsJolietIllinois3,185Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
University of Saint Francis CougarsFort WayneIndiana1,852Crossroads League
University of Saint Mary SpiresLeavenworthKansas1,414Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
College of Saint Mary[a] FlamesOmahaNebraska733Great Plains Athletic Conference
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) PomeroysSaint Mary'sIndiana1,227River States Conference
St. Thomas University BobcatsMiami GardensFlorida6,455Sun Conference
Saint Xavier University CougarsChicagoIllinois3,457Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Savannah College of Art and Design* BeesSavannahGeorgia17,575[e]Sun Conference
Savannah College of Art and Design–Atlanta* Atlanta17,575[e]Appalachian Athletic Conference
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma DroversChickashaOklahoma914Sooner Athletic Conference
Shawnee State University[f] BearsPortsmouthOhio3,206River States Conference
Siena Heights University[g] SaintsAdrianMichigan1,832Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Simpson University Red HawksReddingCalifornia907California Pacific Conference
Soka University of America* LionsAliso ViejoCalifornia476Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Southeastern University FireLakelandFlorida10,400Sun Conference
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Knights and Lady KnightsNew OrleansLouisiana2,059HBCU Athletic Conference
Southern Oregon University RaidersAshlandOregon5,371Cascade Collegiate Conference
University of the Southwest MustangsHobbsNew Mexico1,034Red River Athletic Conference
Southwestern College MoundbuildersWinfieldKansas1,139Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Southwestern Christian University EaglesBethanyOklahoma364Sooner Athletic Conference
Spartanburg Methodist College PioneersSaxonSouth Carolina1,029Appalachian Athletic Conference
Spring Arbor University CougarsSpring ArborMichigan2,390Crossroads League
Stanton University ElksAnaheimCalifornia404California Pacific Conference
Stephens College[a] StarsColumbiaMissouri532American Midwest Conference
Sterling College WarriorsSterlingKansas707Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Stillman College TigersTuscaloosaAlabama779HBCU Athletic Conference
Tabor College BluejaysHillsboroKansas664Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Talladega College TornadoesTalladegaAlabama837HBCU Athletic Conference
Taylor University TrojansUplandIndiana2,398Crossroads League
University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) FireHawksPulaskiTennessee978Southern States Athletic Conference
Tennessee Wesleyan University BulldogsAthensTennessee1,074Appalachian Athletic Conference
Texas A&M University–San Antonio JaguarsSan AntonioTexas7,584Red River Athletic Conference
Texas A&M University–Texarkana[h] EaglesTexarkanaTexas2,109Red River Athletic Conference
Texas A&M University–Victoria* JaguarsVictoriaTexas3,784Red River Athletic Conference
Texas College SteersTylerTexas644Red River Athletic Conference
Texas Wesleyan University[i] RamsFort WorthTexas2,595Sooner Athletic Conference
Thomas University Night HawksThomasvilleGeorgia1,583Southern States Athletic Conference
Tougaloo College BulldogsTougalooMississippi725HBCU Athletic Conference
Trinity Christian College[j] TrollsPalos HeightsIllinois883Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Trinity Western University*[b] SpartansLangleyBritish Columbia6,000Cascade Collegiate Conference
Truett McConnell University BearsClevelandGeorgia2,714Appalachian Athletic Conference
Union Commonwealth University BulldogsBarbourvilleKentucky1,129Appalachian Athletic Conference
Valley City State University VikingsValley CityNorth Dakota1,754Frontier Conference
University of Victoria*[b] VikesVictoriaBritish Columbia22,020Continental Athletic Conference
University of the Virgin Islands BuccaneersSaint ThomasUS Virgin Islands1,739HBCU Athletic Conference
Viterbo University V-HawksLa CrosseWisconsin2,301Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Voorhees University TigersDenmarkSouth Carolina515HBCU Athletic Conference
Waldorf University WarriorsForest CityIowa2,657Great Plains Athletic Conference
Walla Walla University WolvesCollege PlaceWashington1,397Cascade Collegiate Conference
Warner University RoyalsLake WalesFlorida891Sun Conference
Warner Pacific University KnightsPortlandOregon350Cascade Collegiate Conference
Washington Adventist University ShockTakoma ParkMaryland695Continental Athletic Conference
Wayland Baptist University Pioneers & Flying Queens[k]PlainviewTexas2,861Sooner Athletic Conference
Webber International University WarriorsBabson ParkFlorida930Sun Conference
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Golden BearsBeckleyWest Virginia1,448River States Conference
Westcliff University WarriorsIrvineCalifornia6,532California Pacific Conference
Wilberforce University BulldogsWilberforceOhio617HBCU Athletic Conference
Wiley University WildcatsMarshallTexas636HBCU Athletic Conference
William Carey University CrusadersHattiesburgMississippi5,448Southern States Athletic Conference
William Penn University StatesmenOskaloosaIowa1,536Heart of America Athletic Conference
William Woods University OwlsFultonMissouri1,729Heart of America Athletic Conference
Williams Baptist University EaglesWalnut RidgeArkansas514American Midwest Conference
Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush & Gold NuggetsNew OrleansLouisiana3,181Red River Athletic Conference
(Southern States Athletic Conference in 2026)
York University PanthersYorkNebraska585Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Close
  1. Women's only institution in undergraduate programs, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
  2. UBC, Trinity Western, and Victoria hold concurrent membership in Canada's governing body for university athletics, U Sports, where their basketball teams compete.
  3. UHSP will merge with Washington University in St. Louis and drop its athletic programs after the 2026–27 academic year.[3]
  4. Lourdes will permanently close its doors after the 2025–26 academic year.[4]
  5. Combined enrollment of both campuses.
  6. Shawnee State will start a transition to NCAA Division II no later than July 2026, joining the Mountain East Conference, before starting full NCAA competition by that time.
  7. Siena Heights will permanently close its doors after the 2025–26 academic year.[7]
  8. Texas A&M-Texarkana will start a transition to NCAA Division II no later than July 2027, joining the Lone Star Conference, pending NCAA approval.
  9. Texas Wesleyan will start a transition to NCAA Division II no later than July 2028, before starting full NCAA competition by that time, pending NCAA approval.[8]
  10. Trinity Christian will permanently close its doors after the 2025–26 academic year.[9]
  11. The women's basketball team uses the nickname Flying Queens.

Future institutions

  1. Women's only institution in undergraduate programs, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.

See also

References

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