With so many NAIA schools in Arkansas to choose from, you might have a difficult time finding the best for you.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offers:
- Financial aid
- Sponsors NAIA sports championships, and
- Administers athletic programs at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the country.
The following list of the NAIA colleges in Arkansas in this guide can help you find the right fit for your needs and interests.
What are NAIA schools?
NAIA schools are universities that are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
In order to be a member, schools must meet certain criteria related to academics and athletics.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is an organization with the duty of regulating athletic activities in colleges across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
There are many NAIA schools across the country, in this guide, we shall talk more about the NAIA institutions in Arkansas.
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- The 7 Best NAIA Schools in Ohio
- 12 Best NAIA Schools in California: A Comprehensive Guide
Top NAIA Schools in Arkansas
Here is a list of the best NAIA colleges in Arkansas for student-athletes to make a more educative decision;
- Arkansas Baptist College
- Williams Baptist College
- Philander Smith College
- John Brown University
- Crowley’s Ridge College
- Lyon College
- Central Baptist College
Arkansas Baptist College
Arkansas Baptist College is the first on our list of the best NAIA schools in Arkansas, although this list is arranged in no particular order.
Arkansas Baptist College was established in 1884 and is a private Baptist-affiliated historically black college that is located in Little Rock.
As one of the institutions that are a member of the NAIA, the school’s athletic team is called the Buffaloes. The Buffaloes compete predominantly in the Continental Athletic Conference.
The Arkansas Baptist Collegiate Association (ABCA) competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports.
For men and women:
- Baseball and basketball
- Football, softball, and soccer
- Track and field, and
- Wrestling.
Contact details:
Address: 1600 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States.
Phone: +1 501-420-1200
Williams Baptist College
Next on our list is Williams Baptist College, one of the private Baptist institutions located in Walnut Ridge.
Williams Baptist College was founded in 1941 and is one of the NAIA colleges in Arkansas, the college athletic team is called the Eagles.
The Eagles competes predominantly in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) since the 2001-02 academic year.
Williams Baptist participates in 18 collegiate varsity sports for men including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, wrestling, and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Contact details:
Address: 56 Mc Clellan Dr, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476, United States.
Phone: +1 870-886-6741.
Philander Smith College
Philander Smith College is also a private historically black college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it is located in Little Rock.
Philander Smith is one of the NAIA athletic colleges in Arkansas, its athletic team is called the Panthers, and competes predominantly in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) from 2011–12.
Philip Smith competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports including:
- Basketball
- Cross country, and
- Track and field (indoor and outdoor).
Contact details:
Address: 900 W Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States.
Phone: +1 501-375-9845.
John Brown University
John Brown University (JBU) is a private, interdenominational Christian university in Siloam Springs, this institution was founded in 1919.
As one of the NAIA universities in Arkansas, the school’s team; The Golden Eagles competes predominantly in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC).
JBU competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports including:
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Soccer and volleyball
- Tennis, and
- Track & field.
Contact details:
Address: 2000 W University St, Siloam Springs, AR 72761, United States.
Phone: +1 479-524-9500
Crowley’s Ridge College
Crowley’s Ridge College is one of the NAIA universities in Arkansas with its college located in Paragould.
The school’s athletic team is called the Pioneers, the Pioneers participate as an NAIA independent predominantly within the Continental Athletic Conference.
The men’s team participates in different sports such as;
- Baseball
- Basketball, and
- golf.
The women’s team competes in:
- Volleyball, basketball, and track
- Golf and softball
Co-ed sports include jiu-jitsu.
Contact details:
Address: 100 College Dr, Paragould, AR 72450, United States.
Phone: +1 870-236-6901.
Lyon College
Lyon College is a private, liberal arts college located in Batesville, this institution is religiously affiliated with the Presbyterian and it was founded in 1872.
Lyon is also one of the oldest private institutions, and one of the NAIA institutions in Arkansas.
The athletic team is called the Scots and competes predominantly within the American Midwest Conference (AMC).
Lyon competes in 21 college sports, where the men’s team includes:
- Baseball and basketball
- Cross country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Track and field
- Wrestling
While the women’s team includes:
- Basketball and volleyball
- Cross country
- Golf
- Soccer and softball
- Track and field
- Wrestling
Contact details:
Address: 2300 Highland Rd, Batesville, AR 72501, United States.
Phone: +1 800-423-2542.
Central Baptist College
Central Baptist College (CBC) is one of the private Baptist colleges in Conway, it was founded in 1952.
It is also one of the NAIA institutions in Arkansas that competes predominantly within the American Midwest Conference (AMC).
The Athletic team, the Mustangs competes in about 16 different intercollegiate sports which include;
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Wrestling
Contact details:
Address: 1501 College Ave, Conway, AR 72034, United States.
Phone: +1 501-329-6872.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Division 1 (D1) schools in Arkansas?
- The University of Arkansas
- Arkansas State University-Main Campus. Jonesboro, Arkansas.The
- University of Central Arkansas. Conway, Arkansas.
- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Best Division 2 (D2) schools in Arkansas?
- Harding University. Searcy, Arkansas.
- Ouachita Baptist University. Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus. Magnolia, Arkansas.
- Henderson State University. Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
- The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Conclusion
There are many advantages of joining the NAIA schools in Arkansas, we hope this article solves your immediate needs.
If you have any suggestions or you wish to discuss with us, kindly contact us and we would be glad to hear from you,
Good luck with your career!
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