PlayNAIA.org helps future student-athletes discover and connect with NAIA schools, coaches and athletic scholarships. PlayNAIA is also the official clearinghouse for NAIA eligibility. Every student-athlete must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to play sports at an NAIA college or university.
Visit the NAIA Eligibility Center
When it comes to collegiate athletics associations, how do you know which is the best fit for your institution? It comes down to priorities. If your school wants to be nationally competitive at a reasonable price, while driving enrollment and supporting the school’s bottom line, the NAIA is the best association for you.
NAIA schools measure success not just by game scores, but by their financial bottom lines, too. Their NCAA counterparts spend an average of 60 percent more on athletics.
Student-athletes come first in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Their needs, desires and ambitions guide our every decision. They are the inspiration that drives us to make character a core component and benefit of all intercollegiate sports. That’s why we are here and why we stand apart.
Average full-time enrollment: 1,400
Private institutions: 82%
Faith-based institutions: 65%
Average # of sports: 16
Average # of student-athletes: 293
Median athletics budget: $3.21 MM
Operating budget: 1.5 MM
Athletic aid: 1.42 MM
Institutions that qualify for a national championship: 75%
Student-athletes come first in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They are the inspiration that drives us to make character a core component and benefit of all intercollegiate sports.
The NAIA is the only college athletics association that offers official events for prospective student-athletes to showcase their skills on the field in front of NAIA coaches.
More InfoMore than 30,000 students register each year to gain exposure and an opportunity to play.
More InfoThe NAIA provides members the tools and opportunities to support their institutional strategic priorities. Return on Athletics (ROA) is the NAIA’s proprietary approach to the management of collegiate athletics. Through data analytics, ROA provides institutional-level insight so members can maximize the impact athletics has on enrollment, student success, and financial viability.
Visit the NAIA Website
Are you a parent or guardian of a college-bound student-athlete? Help them to the finish line of the eligibility process.
Parents RegistrationCheck your student-athlete’s progress through the eligibility process
Review detailed tasks that your student needs to complete
Help your student get recruited by NAIA schools
Access resources to help with the college transition
Learn eligibility rules
View information on NAIA Showcase events
Learn about the diversity of NAIA schools
Meet our coaches and administrators
Plan a campus visit