Best colleges for NAIA athletes
Colleges that compete in NAIA athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NAIA athletes221 schools
221 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NAIA (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for graduation
- NAIA athletics
- 92% graduate
- 2
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Missouri
- NAIA athletics
- 64% graduate
- 3
- 4
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- NAIA athletics
- 70% graduate
- 5
- 6
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA · Private nonprofit#6 in Washington
- NAIA athletics
- 60% graduate
- 7Tie
- 7Tie
- 9
- 10
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- NAIA athletics
- 71% graduate
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- NAIA athletics
- 67% graduate
- 15
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Prescott, AZ · Private nonprofitTop 6% for earnings
- NAIA athletics
- 68% graduate
- 16
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI · Private nonprofit#12 in Michigan
- NAIA athletics
- 64% graduate
- 17
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK · Private nonprofit#4 in Oklahoma
- NAIA athletics
- 65% graduate
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- NAIA athletics
- 58% graduate
- 22
- 23
Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low debt
- NAIA athletics
- 66% graduate
- 24
- 25
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NAIA athletics
- 54% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soka University of America | $18,260 | $15,650 | $55,017 | 92% |
| College of the Ozarks | $6,100 | — | $41,592 | 64% |
| Taylor University | $24,865 | $20,500 | $52,198 | 74% |
| Dordt University | $25,807 | $21,500 | $52,559 | 70% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Walla Walla University | $23,329 | $26,842 | $61,885 | 60% |
| John Brown University | $20,397 | $21,250 | $53,907 | 72% |
| The College of Idaho | $19,481 | $24,500 | $48,473 | 63% |
| College of Saint Mary | $16,590 | $24,250 | $54,338 | 61% |
| Northwest University | $22,288 | $20,891 | $54,914 | 71% |
| Carroll College | $23,960 | $25,757 | $61,772 | 69% |
| New College of Florida | $7,195 | $17,375 | $48,082 | 67% |
| University of California-Merced | $11,983 | $16,144 | $64,368 | 69% |
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | $40,287 | $23,666 | $84,131 | 68% |
| Spring Arbor University | $19,353 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
| Oklahoma City University | $22,857 | $20,835 | $54,655 | 65% |
| Viterbo University | $21,260 | $25,000 | $55,660 | 68% |
| Pacific Union College | $41,008 | $27,500 | $70,484 | 58% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Benedictine College | $27,891 | $24,599 | $53,175 | 62% |
| Oakland City University | $15,210 | $16,758 | $43,283 | 66% |
| Evangel University | $18,669 | $24,736 | $46,573 | 65% |
| Ave Maria University | $24,860 | $20,776 | $49,520 | 54% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.