Best colleges for NAIA athletes in Illinois
Colleges that compete in NAIA athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NAIA athletes in Illinois6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Illinois.
- 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
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- NAIA athletics
- 67% graduate
- 2
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL · Private nonprofit#21 in Illinois
- NAIA athletics
- 58% graduate
- 3
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL · Private nonprofit#22 in Illinois
- NAIA athletics
- 61% graduate
- 4
- 5
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 18% for low net price
- NAIA athletics
- 57% graduate
- 6
Governors State University
University Park, IL · PublicTop 23% for low net price
- NAIA athletics
- 22% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Trinity Christian College | $19,125 | $25,009 | $55,700 | 58% |
| Olivet Nazarene University | $20,729 | $25,000 | $53,213 | 61% |
| Judson University | $18,558 | $25,000 | $56,313 | 60% |
| Saint Xavier University | $10,970 | $22,223 | $58,656 | 57% |
| Governors State University | $12,329 | $18,618 | $58,169 | 22% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.