17 Best Naia Schools in Indiana

NAIA schools in Indiana are known for their high academic standards. The NAIA is an organization that represents the interests of college-bound students by setting national standards for junior and senior high school athletic programs.

To be eligible for membership, a school must have an athletics program, have a minimum enrollment of 1,000 students, and have student-athletes who meet eligibility requirements for interscholastic competition. Schools that meet these criteria may apply for membership with the NAIA.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the world’s largest non-profit, private educational organization.

It has a membership of over 500 institutions of higher learning and more than 100,000 student-athletes. In Indiana, there are over 20 NAIA schools.

What is NAIA?

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a not-for-profit, international organization of 1,064 member institutions from 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and, Guam.

The NAIA was founded in 1932 to serve as the national governing body for a variety of collegiate summer sports and to establish a national playoff system in intercollegiate athletics.

What are the Divisions?

The NAIA has four divisions: Division I (also called the National Collegiate Athletic Association at this level), Division II (formerly known as Division II), Division III and, an associated University Athletic Association (UAA). In addition to these four divisions, there are three NAIA-sponsored championship competitions: men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and, volleyball.

List of all the NAIA schools in Indiana

1. Bethel University

Bethel University is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It’s a private university that was founded in 1895 and has been named a “Best Value” school by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

Bethel University offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, with programs in business, education, engineering, health sciences, law, music, and more.

The university is located in Mishawaka, Indiana, and is home to more than 6,000 students. There are also more than 30 different clubs on campus and many other activities to keep you busy.

Bethel University offers students plenty of opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities like sports (including soccer) and student government.

Sports for Men and Women

Sports for Men

Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Swim and Dive
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Sports for Women

Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swim and Dive
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Other Sports

Coed Sports

Competitive Cheer
Esports

Reserve sports

Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Softball
Women’s Volleyball

Bethel University Athletics

2. Calumet College of St. Joseph

Calumet College of St. Joseph is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It offers an affordable tuition and outstanding academic programs.

The school also offers a wide range of sports and activities that help you stay fit and active, which is especially important for athletes who want to maintain their competitive edge.

The program at Calumet College of St. Joseph focuses on teaching students how to become responsible adults by studying social sciences and humanities.

The school has a varied curriculum that includes classes in business administration, communication studies, psychology, fine arts, computer science, liberal arts, and social sciences.

The school offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration, sociology/social work and arts management/performing arts, associate degrees in criminal justice/criminalistics, certificates in emergency medical services, certificates in emergency medical technology (certificates), as well as diplomas in health information technology and physical therapy assistant studies.

Sports offered at Calumet College of St. Joseph

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Bowling (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Sprint Football (Men)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
JV Men’s Basketball (Men)

Coed Sports

Dance
Cheer

3. Goshen College

Goshen College is a private, Christian liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana. Goshen College was founded as a Bible school by the Church of the Brethren.

It is one of two regional colleges operated by the Church of Brethren. The other regional college is Wilberforce University.

Also, read the 15 Best NAIA Schools in Kansas

Goshen College offers its students a wide range of bachelor’s degrees and certificate programs. The most popular fields of study include business administration, education, health sciences, information technology, engineering sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.

Sports Offered in Goshen College

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)

4. Grace College

Grace College is a small, private school that’s located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It’s an NAIA school and offers some bachelor’s degrees in business, computer science, and nursing.

There are also many minors offered at Grace College. Grace College has a highly qualified faculty to teach you what they know best: business, computer science, and nursing.

The school has a strong focus on learning through experience and hands-on learning this means that if you want to get hands-on training in these areas, you should consider Grace College as your next school.

Grace College is proud to offer many pre-med options that will help you get into medical school after graduation. They also have programs for those who want to pursue careers in engineering or other fields related to technology.

Sports Offered in Grace College

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

Coed Sports

Cheer
Esports

5. Holy Cross College

If you are looking for a great NAIA school in Indiana, look no further than Holy Cross College.

Not only is this school ranked #1 in the state of Indiana, but it also offers several programs that are perfect for anyone looking to get into a career in nursing or other health-related fields.

In addition to their nursing program, they also offer programs in dental hygiene, pharmacy technology, and more.

Their graduates have gone on to work at some of the best hospitals and clinics throughout the state.

Sports offered at Holy Cross College

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

6. Huntington University

Huntington College is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It’s located in Huntington, Indiana, and it has a great sports program. The school fields teams in baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Huntington College also offers many academic programs to students interested in pursuing a degree online or through traditional on-campus classes.

The school offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration, marketing management, and information technology. Students can also pursue an associate degree through the school’s program while still earning their high school diploma.

Sports offered at Huntington University

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

Coed Sports

Cheer

7. Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University Northwest is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It’s a top-tier university with a great location and a lot of student support.

The school has been around for decades, but it still feels like home to students who choose to attend IU Northwest. The school’s location on the northwest side of Indianapolis makes it easy for students to get around campus and everything else in their area, and this is especially true if they live downtown.

It offers a variety of programs, including a bachelor’s degree program in business administration and a master’s degree program in social work. The university is known for its academic excellence, student body diversity, and community involvement.

Sports Offered in Indiana University Northwest

Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Volleyball (Women)

8. Indiana University South Bend

Indiana University South Bend is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It offers a variety of programs, including a bachelor’s degree program in business administration and a master’s degree program in social work. The university is known for its academic excellence, student body diversity, and community involvement.

Indiana University South Bend is a great NAIA school. It has over 600 students, and it has many different options for you to get into. You can choose to go for your bachelor’s degree, or you can go for a master’s degree. The school also offers many other courses such as nursing courses, music courses, and even martial arts classes!

If you want to learn more about the school or want to apply to the school then you should check out the website at [Indiana University South Bend].

Sports offered at Indiana University South Bend

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

9. Indiana University Southeast

IU Southeast is a great choice for students looking to get into NAIA schools. The university has had a strong basketball program since 1923, with more than 50 teams participating in the NAIA.

The school offers several sports at different levels, including baseball, softball, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer. This means that students can choose what they want to focus on and get the best experience possible.

To be able to play sports at IU Southeast, students can also participate in other activities like theater or art classes. The school also has a strong academic reputation, with an average GPA of 3.32 and an acceptance rate of 38%.

Sports offered by Indiana University Southeast

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Women)

10. Indiana Institution of Technology

The Indiana Institution of Technology is the best NAIA school in Indiana. It has a strong academic program and a focus on engineering and computer science, so it’s well-suited for students who want to be engineers or programmers.

The school’s main campus is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. It has branch campuses in Columbus and Fort Wayne.

Students can earn bachelor’s degrees from the institution of technology, but they also have access to online courses that let them earn their degrees from anywhere in the world.

Sports offered at Indiana Institution of technology

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

Also, check out the 7 Best NAIA Schools in Ohio.

11. Indiana Wesleyan University

The university has an excellent reputation and offers a wide range of programs, including Business Management, Computer Sciences, Criminal Justice, Education, Engineering Technology, and Nursing.

The campus is located in Marion, Indiana, and has over 16,000 students enrolled at this time.

The university also offers many other services including employment assistance programs that allow students to gain skills to help them find jobs after graduation.

Sports offered at Indiana Wesleyan University

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

12. Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus

Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana.

Not only does it offer a great education, but it also has a strong athletic program that includes men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and soccer.

The school has a strong history of success in those sports as well. In recent years they have won several conference championships and have had many players go on to play professionally after graduating.

Sports offered Indiana University- Purdue Columbus

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

13. Marian University

With Marian University, you can get all of the benefits of an NAIA school in Indiana, plus the quality education and services that come with being a part of the Marian family.

Marian University is a private Christian university with a commitment to excellence in education. Students are provided with a safe environment where they can learn and grow without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have access to many opportunities to participate in co-curricular events, including sports teams and clubs.

Accreditation is an important part of Marian University’s mission, so students can be assured that their degrees are recognized by outside organizations.

Sports Offered at Marian University

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

14. Oakland City University

Oakland City University offers a variety of programs and degrees, including nursing and business administration. The university also has a campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Oakland City University is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The school has more than 30 different undergraduate majors and over 100 different graduate programs that are offered on its campus or online.

The Oakland City University nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means that graduates can apply to graduate programs at other universities without having to take an entrance exam first.

Their nursing program is also nationally ranked for students who want to become registered nurses or work as case managers after graduation.

Sports offered at Oakland City University

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

15. University of Saint Francis

The University of St. Francis is a private, Catholic university located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has been around for more than 100 years and currently has about 13,000 students on its campus.

The school has many different programs to choose from, including business, nursing, and law. If you are looking for more specific options like sports management or education, you can also check out the offerings at the university’s branch campuses in Mishawaka and South Bend.

The school’s athletics teams are known as the Eagles. They have won a total of 30 NCAA Division II championships over the years.

Sports offered at the University of Saint Francis

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

16. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a private liberal arts college in the town of Saint Marys, Indiana. The school was founded by two Benedictine monks in 1842, and it has been providing education for women ever since.

In addition to a wide range of bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees, the school offers a variety of programs for working adults.

Also, check out the 50 Best Naia Schools

The school’s academic mission “is based on the Benedictine tradition of learning through teaching.” As such, students are encouraged to take classes outside their major field of study so they can develop as well as educate themselves.

To ensure that they are prepared for life after graduation, students also have access to professional development opportunities throughout their time at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Sports offered at Saint Mary-of-the-woods College

Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Both)
Cross Country (Both)
Soccer (Both)
Tennis (Both)
Track and Field (Both)
Volleyball (Both)
Softball (Women)
Golf (Both)

17. Taylor University

Taylor University is one of the best NAIA schools in Indiana. It offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of business, nursing, education, and more. The university also has a strong athletics program.

Taylor University is located in Upland, Indiana. Its main campus is in Taylor Hall (the former home of President James Taylor). The public university’s sports teams are known as the Tigers, and they compete at the NCAA Division II level.

Sports offered at Taylor University