Best Christian colleges for NAIA athletes
Christian colleges that compete in NAIA athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best Christian colleges for NAIA athletes51 schools
51 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- 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
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- NAIA athletics
- Chapel twice a week
- 2
- 3
Concordia University-Nebraska
Seward, NE · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- NAIA athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 4
- 5
- 6Tie
- 6Tie
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13Tie
- 13Tie
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH · Private nonprofit- NAIA athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 21
Columbia International University
Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit- NAIA athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 22Tie
- 22Tie
- 24
- 25
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown University | $20,397 | $21,250 | $53,907 | 72% |
| Walla Walla University | $23,329 | $26,842 | $61,885 | 60% |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | $23,965 | $25,750 | $52,415 | 65% |
| Judson University | $18,558 | $25,000 | $56,313 | 60% |
| Northwest University | $22,288 | $20,891 | $54,914 | 71% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| La Sierra University | $45,566 | $27,000 | $61,824 | 60% |
| Taylor University | $24,865 | $20,500 | $52,198 | 74% |
| Nelson University | $21,662 | $24,725 | $46,238 | 42% |
| Northwestern College | $25,907 | $23,249 | $49,802 | 66% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
| College of the Ozarks | $6,100 | — | $41,592 | 64% |
| Cornerstone University | $20,301 | $25,000 | $47,314 | 62% |
| Spring Arbor University | $19,353 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
| Olivet Nazarene University | $20,729 | $25,000 | $53,213 | 61% |
| Warner Pacific University | $25,629 | $25,000 | $55,204 | 49% |
| Corban University | $28,035 | $22,625 | $48,917 | 61% |
| Bethel University | $18,610 | $25,000 | $48,860 | 53% |
| Huntington University | $19,310 | $25,576 | $46,672 | 64% |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene University | $22,421 | $25,000 | $49,555 | 68% |
| Columbia International University | $26,036 | $20,000 | $38,951 | 47% |
| Evangel University | $18,669 | $24,736 | $46,573 | 65% |
| Milligan University | $21,365 | $25,219 | $46,641 | 63% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| York University | $20,951 | $21,500 | $44,130 | 52% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.