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List of NAIA institutions

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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has 237 member colleges and universities for athletic competition in the 2024–25 season.[1]

NAIA institutions

[edit]
  • Note: Non-basketball playing institutions are denoted by *. Members leaving are highlighted in red.
List of NAIA institutions
School Nickname City State/
province/
territory
Conference
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Golden Stallions Tifton Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Alice Lloyd College Eagles Pippa Passes Kentucky River States Conference
Aquinas College Saints Grand Rapids Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Arizona Christian University Firestorm Phoenix Arizona Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Arkansas Baptist College Buffaloes Little Rock Arkansas Continental Athletic Conference
Ave Maria University Gyrenes Ave Maria Florida Sun Conference
Avila University Eagles Kansas City Missouri Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Baker University Wildcats Baldwin City Kansas Heart of America Athletic Conference
Bellevue University Bruins Bellevue Nebraska North Star Athletic Association
(Frontier Conference in 2025)
Benedictine College Ravens Atchison Kansas Heart of America Athletic Conference
Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks Mesa Arizona Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Bethany College Swedes Lindsborg Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Bethel College (KS) Threshers North Newton Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Bethel University (IN) Pilots Mishawaka Indiana Crossroads League
Bethel University (TN) Wildcats McKenzie Tennessee Mid-South Conference
Blue Mountain Christian University Toppers Blue Mountain Mississippi Southern States Athletic Conference
Bluefield University Rams Bluefield Virginia Appalachian Athletic Conference
Brenau University[a] Golden Tigers Gainesville Georgia Appalachian Athletic Conference
Brescia University Bearcats Owensboro Kentucky River States Conference
Brewton–Parker College Barons Mount Vernon Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Briar Cliff University Chargers Sioux City Iowa Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of British Columbia*[b] Thunderbirds Vancouver British Columbia Cascade Collegiate Conference
Bryan College Lions Dayton Tennessee Appalachian Athletic Conference
Bushnell University Beacons Eugene Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime)[c] Keelhaulers Vallejo California California Pacific Conference
University of California, Merced (UC Merced)[d] Golden Bobcats Merced California California Pacific Conference
Calumet College of St. Joseph Crimson Wave Whiting Indiana Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Campbellsville University Tigers Campbellsville Kentucky Mid-South Conference
Carolina University Bruins Winston-Salem North Carolina Continental Athletic Conference
Carroll College Fighting Saints Helena Montana Frontier Conference
Central Baptist College Mustangs Conway Arkansas American Midwest Conference
Central Christian College of Kansas Tigers McPherson Kansas Sooner Athletic Conference
Central Methodist University Eagles Fayette Missouri Heart of America Athletic Conference
Clarke University Crusaders Dubuque Iowa Heart of America Athletic Conference
Cleary University Cougars Howell Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
College of Coastal Georgia Mariners Brunswick Georgia Sun Conference
Columbia College (MO) Cougars Columbia Missouri American Midwest Conference
Columbia College (SC) Koalas Columbia South Carolina Appalachian Athletic Conference
Columbia International University Rams Columbia South Carolina Appalachian Athletic Conference
Concordia University–Michigan[e] Cardinals Ann Arbor Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Concordia University–Nebraska Bulldogs Seward Nebraska Great Plains Athletic Conference
Corban University Warriors Salem Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
Cornerstone University Golden Eagles Grand Rapids Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Cottey College[a] Comets Nevada Missouri American Midwest Conference
Crowley's Ridge College Pioneers Paragould Arkansas American Midwest Conference
Culver–Stockton College Wildcats Canton Missouri Heart of America Athletic Conference
Cumberland University Phoenix Lebanon Tennessee Mid-South Conference
University of the Cumberlands Patriots Williamsburg Kentucky Mid-South Conference
Dakota State University Trojans Madison South Dakota North Star Athletic Association
(Frontier Conference in 2025)
Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers Mitchell South Dakota Great Plains Athletic Conference
Dalton State College Roadrunners Dalton Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Defiance College Yellow Jackets and Lady Jackets Defiance Ohio Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Dickinson State University Blue Hawks Dickinson North Dakota North Star Athletic Association
(Frontier Conference in 2025)
Dillard University Bleu Devils & Lady Bleu Devils New Orleans Louisiana HBCU Athletic Conference
Doane College Tigers Crete Nebraska Great Plains Athletic Conference
Dordt University Defenders Sioux Center Iowa Great Plains Athletic Conference
Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers La Grande Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Eagles Prescott Arizona Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Evangel University Valor Springfield Missouri Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Evergreen State College Geoducks Olympia Washington Cascade Collegiate Conference
Faulkner University Eagles Montgomery Alabama Southern States Athletic Conference
Fisher College Falcons Boston Massachusetts Continental Athletic Conference
Fisk University Bulldogs Nashville Tennessee HBCU Athletic Conference
Florida College Falcons Temple Terrace Florida Continental Athletic Conference
Florida Memorial University Lions Miami Gardens Florida Sun Conference
Florida National University Conquistadors Miami Florida Continental Athletic Conference[5]
Freed–Hardeman University Lions Henderson Tennessee Mid-South Conference
Friends University Falcons Wichita Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Georgetown College Tigers Georgetown Kentucky Mid-South Conference
Georgia Gwinnett College*[f] Grizzlies Lawrenceville Georgia Continental Athletic Conference
Goshen College Maple Leafs Goshen Indiana Crossroads League
Governors State University Jaguars University Park Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Grace College & Seminary Lancers Winona Lake Indiana Crossroads League
Graceland University Yellowjackets Lamoni Iowa Heart of America Athletic Conference
Grand View University Vikings Des Moines Iowa Heart of America Athletic Conference
Hannibal–LaGrange University Trojans Hannibal Missouri American Midwest Conference
Harris–Stowe State University Hornets St. Louis Missouri American Midwest Conference
Haskell Indian Nations University Indians Lawrence Kansas Continental Athletic Conference
Hastings College Broncos Hastings Nebraska Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Eutectics St. Louis Missouri American Midwest Conference
Holy Cross College Saints Notre Dame Indiana Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Hope International University Royals Fullerton California Great Southwest Athletic Conference
University of Houston–Victoria* Jaguars Victoria Texas Red River Athletic Conference
Huntington University Foresters Huntington Indiana Crossroads League
Huston–Tillotson University Rams Austin Texas Red River Athletic Conference
College of Idaho Coyotes Caldwell Idaho Cascade Collegiate Conference
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) Warriors Fort Wayne Indiana Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Indiana University Columbus Crimson Pride Columbus Indiana River States Conference
Indiana University East Red Wolves Richmond Indiana River States Conference
Indiana University Kokomo Cougars Kokomo Indiana River States Conference
Indiana University Northwest Redhawks Gary Indiana Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Indiana University South Bend Titans South Bend Indiana Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Indiana University Southeast Grenadiers New Albany Indiana River States Conference
Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats Marion Indiana Crossroads League
University of Jamestown[g] Jimmies Jamestown North Dakota North Star Athletic Association
Jarvis Christian University Bulldogs Hawkins Texas Red River Athletic Conference
John Brown University Golden Eagles Siloam Springs Arkansas Sooner Athletic Conference
Johnson University Royals Kimberlin Heights Tennessee Appalachian Athletic Conference
Judson University Eagles Elgin Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes Salina Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Keiser University Seahawks West Palm Beach Florida Sun Conference
Kentucky Christian University Knights Grayson Kentucky Appalachian Athletic Conference
(River States Conference in 2025)
La Sierra University Golden Eagles Riverside California California Pacific Conference
(Great Southwest Athletic Conference in 2025)
Langston University Lions Langston Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
Lawrence Technological University
(Lawrence Tech)
Blue Devils Southfield Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Lewis–Clark State College Warriors Lewiston Idaho Cascade Collegiate Conference
Life University Eagles Marietta Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Life Pacific University Warriors San Dimas California Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders Columbia Kentucky Mid-South Conference
Louisiana Christian University Wildcats Pineville Louisiana Red River Athletic Conference
Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSU Alexandria) Generals Alexandria Louisiana Red River Athletic Conference
Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSU Shreveport) Pilots & Lady Pilots Shreveport Louisiana Red River Athletic Conference
Lourdes University Gray Wolves Sylvania Ohio Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Loyola University New Orleans Wolfpack New Orleans Louisiana Southern States Athletic Conference
Madonna University Crusaders Livonia Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Marian University Knights Indianapolis Indiana Crossroads League
The Master's University Mustangs Santa Clarita California Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Mayville State University Comets Mayville North Dakota North Star Athletic Association
(Frontier Conference in 2025)
McPherson College Bulldogs McPherson Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
University of Michigan–Dearborn Wolverines Dearborn Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Mid-America Christian University Evangels Oklahoma City Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers Olathe Kansas Heart of America Athletic Conference
Middle Georgia State University[h] Knights Cochran/Macon Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Midland University Warriors Fremont Nebraska Great Plains Athletic Conference
Midway University Eagles Midway Kentucky River States Conference
Milligan University Buffaloes Elizabethton Tennessee Appalachian Athletic Conference
Mission University[6] Patriots Springfield Missouri American Midwest Conference
Missouri Baptist University Spartans St. Louis Missouri American Midwest Conference
(Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2025)
Missouri Valley College Vikings Marshall Missouri Heart of America Athletic Conference
University of Mobile Rams Prichard Alabama Southern States Athletic Conference
Montana State University–Northern Lights Havre Montana Frontier Conference
Montana Technological University
(Montana Tech)
Orediggers Butte Montana Frontier Conference
University of Montana–Western Bulldogs Dillon Montana Frontier Conference
Montreat College Cavaliers Montreat North Carolina Appalachian Athletic Conference
Morningside University Mustangs Sioux City Iowa Great Plains Athletic Conference
Morris College Hornets Sumter South Carolina Continental Athletic Conference
Mount Marty University Lancers Yankton South Dakota Great Plains Athletic Conference
Mount Mercy University Mustangs Cedar Rapids Iowa Heart of America Athletic Conference
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougars Mount Vernon Ohio Crossroads League
Multnomah University Lions Portland Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
Nelson University Lions Waxahachie Texas Sooner Athletic Conference
New College of Florida Mighty Banyans Sarasota Florida Sun Conference
North American University Stallions Stafford Texas Red River Athletic Conference
University of North Texas at Dallas Trailblazers Dallas Texas Sooner Athletic Conference
Northern New Mexico College Eagles Española New Mexico Continental Athletic Conference
Northwest University Eagles Kirkland Washington Cascade Collegiate Conference
Northwestern College Red Raiders Orange City Iowa Great Plains Athletic Conference
University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) Racers Lima Ohio Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Oakland City University Mighty Oaks Oakland City Indiana River States Conference
Oakwood University Ambassadors & Lady Ambassadors Huntsville Alabama HBCU Athletic Conference
Oklahoma City University Stars Oklahoma City Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies Goodwell Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles Bartlesville Oklahoma Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Olivet Nazarene University Tigers Bourbonnais Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Oregon Institute of Technology
(Oregon Tech)
Owls Klamath Falls Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
Ottawa University Braves Ottawa Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Ottawa University Arizona Spirit Surprise Arizona Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Our Lady of the Lake University Saints San Antonio Texas Red River Athletic Conference
College of the Ozarks Bobcats Point Lookout Missouri Sooner Athletic Conference
Pacific Union College Pioneers Angwin California California Pacific Conference
Park University Pirates Parkville Missouri Heart of America Athletic Conference
Park University Gilbert Buccaneers Gilbert Arizona Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Paul Quinn College Tigers Dallas Texas Red River Athletic Conference
Peru State College Bobcats Peru Nebraska Heart of America Athletic Conference
Philander Smith University Panthers Little Rock Arkansas HBCU Athletic Conference
University of Pikeville Bears Pikeville Kentucky Appalachian Athletic Conference
Point University Skyhawks West Point Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
University of Providence Argonauts Great Falls Montana Frontier Conference
Providence Christian College* Sea Beggars Pasadena California California Pacific Conference
Reinhardt University Eagles Waleska Georgia Appalachian Athletic Conference
University of Rio Grande RedStorm Rio Grande Ohio River States Conference
Rochester Christian University Warriors Rochester Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears Billings Montana Frontier Conference
Rust College Bearcats Holly Springs Mississippi HBCU Athletic Conference[7]
St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees & Queen Bees Davenport Iowa Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
St. Andrews University Knights Laurinburg North Carolina Appalachian Athletic Conference
University of St. Francis Fighting Saints Joliet Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
University of Saint Francis Cougars Fort Wayne Indiana Crossroads League
University of Saint Mary Spires Leavenworth Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
College of Saint Mary[a] Flames Omaha Nebraska Great Plains Athletic Conference
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Pomeroys Saint Mary's Indiana River States Conference
St. Thomas University Bobcats Miami Gardens Florida Sun Conference
Saint Xavier University Cougars Chicago Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Savannah College of Art and Design* Bees Savannah Georgia Sun Conference
Savannah College of Art and Design–Atlanta* Atlanta Appalachian Athletic Conference
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers Chickasha Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
Shawnee State University Bears Portsmouth Ohio River States Conference
Siena Heights University Saints Adrian Michigan Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference
Simpson University Red Hawks Redding California California Pacific Conference
Soka University of America* Lions Aliso Viejo California California Pacific Conference
(Great Southwest Athletic Conference in 2025)
Southeastern University Fire Lakeland Florida Sun Conference
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Knights and Lady Knights New Orleans Louisiana HBCU Athletic Conference
Southern Oregon University Raiders Ashland Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
University of the Southwest Mustangs Hobbs New Mexico Red River Athletic Conference
Southwestern College Moundbuilders Winfield Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Southwestern Christian University Eagles Bethany Oklahoma Sooner Athletic Conference
Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers Saxon South Carolina Continental Athletic Conference
(Appalachian Athletic Conference in 2025)
Spring Arbor University Cougars Spring Arbor Michigan Crossroads League
Stephens College[a] Stars Columbia Missouri American Midwest Conference
Sterling College Warriors Sterling Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Stillman College Tigers Tuscaloosa Alabama HBCU Athletic Conference
Tabor College Bluejays Hillsboro Kansas Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Talladega College Tornadoes Talladega Alabama HBCU Athletic Conference
Taylor University Trojans Upland Indiana Crossroads League
University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) FireHawks Pulaski Tennessee Southern States Athletic Conference
Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs Athens Tennessee Appalachian Athletic Conference
Texas A&M University–San Antonio Jaguars San Antonio Texas Red River Athletic Conference
Texas A&M University–Texarkana Eagles Texarkana Texas Red River Athletic Conference
Texas College Steers Tyler Texas Red River Athletic Conference
Texas Wesleyan University Rams Fort Worth Texas Sooner Athletic Conference
Thomas University Night Hawks Thomasville Georgia Southern States Athletic Conference
Tougaloo College Bulldogs Tougaloo Mississippi HBCU Athletic Conference
Trinity Christian College Trolls Palos Heights Illinois Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Truett McConnell University Bears Cleveland Georgia Appalachian Athletic Conference
Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs Barbourville Kentucky Appalachian Athletic Conference
Valley City State University Vikings Valley City North Dakota North Star Athletic Association
(Frontier Conference in 2025)
University of Victoria*[b] Vikes Victoria British Columbia Continental Athletic Conference
University of the Virgin Islands Buccaneers Saint Thomas US Virgin Islands HBCU Athletic Conference
Viterbo University V-Hawks La Crosse Wisconsin Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Voorhees University Tigers Denmark South Carolina HBCU Athletic Conference
Waldorf University Warriors Forest City Iowa Great Plains Athletic Conference
Walla Walla University Wolves College Place Washington Cascade Collegiate Conference
Warner University Royals Lake Wales Florida Sun Conference
Warner Pacific University Knights Portland Oregon Cascade Collegiate Conference
Washington Adventist University Shock Takoma Park Maryland Continental Athletic Conference
Wayland Baptist University Pioneers & Flying Queens[i] Plainview Texas Sooner Athletic Conference
Webber International University Warriors Babson Park Florida Sun Conference
West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) Golden Bears Beckley West Virginia River States Conference
Westcliff University Warriors Irvine California California Pacific Conference
Wilberforce University Bulldogs Wilberforce Ohio HBCU Athletic Conference
Wiley University Wildcats Marshall Texas HBCU Athletic Conference
William Carey University Crusaders Hattiesburg Mississippi Southern States Athletic Conference
William Penn University Statesmen Oskaloosa Iowa Heart of America Athletic Conference
William Woods University Owls Fulton Missouri American Midwest Conference
(Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2025)
Williams Baptist University Eagles Walnut Ridge Arkansas American Midwest Conference
Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush & Gold Nuggets New Orleans Louisiana Red River Athletic Conference
York University Panthers York Nebraska Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
  1. ^ a b c d Women's only institution in undergraduate programs, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
  2. ^ a b UBC and Victoria hold concurrent membership in Canada's governing body for university athletics, U Sports, where their basketball teams compete.
  3. ^ Cal Maritime will withdraw from NAIA membership after the 2024–25 academic year.[2]
  4. ^ UC Merced started a transition to NCAA Division II in July 2024, joining the California Collegiate Athletic Association.[3] However, it remains an NAIA member in the 2024–25 school year before starting full NCAA competition in 2025.
  5. ^ Concordia–Michigan announced that they will discontinue their athletic program after the 2024–25 academic year.[4]
  6. ^ Georgia Gwinnett will add men's and women's basketball in the 2025–26 school year.
  7. ^ Jamestown started a transition to NCAA Division II in July 2024, joining the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. However, it remains an NAIA member in the 2024–25 school year before starting full NCAA competition in 2025.
  8. ^ Middle Georgia will start a transition to NCAA Division II no later than July 2025, joining the Peach Belt Conference, before starting full NCAA competition by that time, pending NCAA approval.
  9. ^ The women's basketball team uses the nickname Flying Queens.

Future institutions

[edit]
School Nickname City State/
province
Current affiliation Conference Joins
Bismarck State College Mystics Bismarck North Dakota Mon-Dak Conference (NJCAA) Frontier Conference July 2025[8]
Mount Mary University[a] Blue Angels Milwaukee Wisconsin Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (NCAA D-III) Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference July 2025[9]
Trinity Western University*[b] Spartans Langley British Columbia Canada West (U Sports) Cascade Collegiate Conference July 2025[9]
  1. ^ Women's only institution in undergraduate programs, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
  2. ^ Trinity Western will hold concurrent membership in Canada's governing body for university athletics, U Sports, where its basketball teams will compete.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2024-25 NAIA Member Institutions" (PDF). naia.org. NAIA.
  2. ^ "Withdrawal from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac)" (Press release). Cal Maritime Athletics. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  3. ^ UC Merced set to join CCAA, Transition to NCAA D-II
  4. ^ Cunningham, Darren (14 June 2024). "Concordia University Ann Arbor discontinuing athletics after 2024-25 academic year". WXYZ. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. ^ "[Member institutions]". Continental Athletic Conference. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Baptist Bible College is Now Mission University". Baptist Bible Tribune. January 26, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Members". Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  8. ^ "NAIA Announces Membership Additions". NAIA. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "NAIA Announces Two New Member Institutions". NAIA. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.