Best colleges for NAIA athletes in Tennessee
Colleges that compete in NAIA athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NAIA athletes in Tennessee9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Tennessee.
- 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
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Athens, TN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- NAIA athletics
- 48% graduate
- 7
The University of Tennessee Southern
Pulaski, TN · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- NAIA athletics
- 37% graduate
- 8
- 9
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low net price
- NAIA athletics
- 35% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freed-Hardeman University | About $22,000 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| Milligan University | About $21,000 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Bryan College-Dayton | About $21,000 | $23,000 | $54,434 | 50% |
| Fisk University | About $32,000 | $27,000 | $45,454 | 30% |
| Johnson University | About $22,000 | $21,500 | $40,596 | 57% |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | About $15,000 | $20,000 | $45,989 | 48% |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | About $13,000 | $21,500 | $38,924 | 37% |
| Cumberland University | About $19,000 | $17,952 | $57,687 | 46% |
| Bethel University | About $13,000 | $27,249 | $47,482 | 35% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.