Before you begin the search for NAIA schools in California, it’s important to know what to look for and what makes one school better than another.
NAIA academic schools in California are great options for students looking to enjoy sports while in college.
You’ll get to experience college life and take on new challenges while still being close to home and your loved ones.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled this list of top NAIA colleges in California, as well as what makes them great, so you can choose wisely!
Make sure you choose an institution that will give you a well-rounded educational experience that helps prepare you for life after graduation.
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What are NAIA Schools?
You may be wondering, What are NAIA schools?
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an organization that regulates colleges and universities that concentrate on basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and track & field.
NAIA is a member-driven association that develops competitive and educational programs for smaller colleges and universities around North America.
The benefits of going to an NAIA school as a student-athlete are numerous:
- You get to play your sport while still getting an excellent education and
- You can also develop relationships with coaches who could potentially help you advance your career once your eligibility runs out.
Also Read: The 12 Best Safety Schools in California To Choose From
List of the Best NAIA Colleges in California
Here are some of the top NAIA academic schools for you to make your decisions.
- William Jessup University
- Vanguard University
- Soka University of America NAIA School
- San Diego Christian College
- Pacific Union College NAIA School
- Concordia University NAIA School
- Marymount California University
- Life Pacific College NAIA School
- Hope International University NAIA School
- California State University Maritime Academy
- California Baptist University
- La Sierra University
William Jessup University
Located outside of Sacramento, William Jessup University is one of the best NAIA schools in California and boasts an impressive academic reputation that isn’t matched by many other NAIA schools.
Students have a variety of sports to participate in including:
- Basketball
- Soccer
Every student at William Jessup can expect to participate in a variety of unique learning opportunities like study abroad trips to London or Costa Rica.
Vanguard University
Located in Costa Mesa, Vanguard University is one of the best NAIA schools in Southern California.
Since it was founded in 1820, Vanguard has developed a reputation for innovative programs that foster intellectual and spiritual growth, as well as excellent academic performance and community involvement.
All undergraduates are required to complete internships that address real-world issues and global challenges.
Some of the programs offered in this school include;
- Psychology
- Nursing administration
- Business administration and management
- Sociology
- Speech communication and rhetoric
- Kinesiology and exercise science
- Registered nursing/registered nurse
- Religion/religious studies
- Biology/biological sciences
- English language and literature
And no matter what major you choose, you’ll find a variety of extracurricular opportunities.
Vanguard takes pride in its rich tradition of student leadership development.
Soka University of America
Located on a scenic 80-acre campus adjacent to downtown Aliso Viejo, Soka University of America is one of the NAIA schools in California, founded in 1987.
It’s also one of five NAIA institutions and was founded by Daisaku Ikeda and later established in 2001 as Pacific Buddhist University.
It offers undergraduate degrees (BA, BS) and master’s degree programs for students who hope to study communication arts, business administration, or liberal arts.
The school has small class sizes with an average student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.
San Diego Christian College
San Diego Christian College is one of the NAIA colleges in California that gives students an education that combines hands-on learning with a strong academic foundation.
It boasts small class sizes and has been named one of America’s Top Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for 13 consecutive years, which makes it easy to build close relationships with professors.
Students have a variety of sports to participate in including:
- Softball
- Baseball
- Men’s Basketball and
- Women’s Basketball.
This NAIA School even gives students access to advisers to help them develop their career goals and make sure they have everything they need to be successful in college after graduation.
Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a NAIA school located in Angwin, CA. Founded in 1882, it is affiliated with Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and offers a wide variety of programs to students.
Some of the programs offered here include;
- Registered nursing/registered nurse
- Business/commerce
- Biology/biological sciences
- Health communication
Concordia University
Concordia University is a private, liberal arts school located in Irvine, California, United States. It was founded in 1976 to provide a Lutheran Church.
Concordia University is also one of the top NAIA Schools in California and students have a variety of sports to participate in including:
- Baseball
- Volleyball and
- Golf.
Marymount California University
Marymount California University, MCU, is one of the NAIA schools in California and also a private university located in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Founded in 1928 as a Catholic junior college, the institution transitioned to a four-year school in 1967.
The university offers undergraduate degrees and more than Nine hundred fifty-nine students are enrolled at Marymount California University, and 62% of those are females.
Life Pacific College
Life Pacific College is a private, evangelical Christian college located in San Dimas, California and was founded in 1923.
Its sports teams are nicknamed The Pacific Islanders and compete in the NAIA’s Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).
While LPC is a small school—with less than 200 students—it’s best known for its track and field program; several of its athletes have qualified for Olympic trials.
Hope International University
Hope International University is an NAIA school, which is also part of NCAA Division II. It’s located in Fullerton, CA.
The school is affiliated with Churches of Christ. The athletics program competes at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference level.
The team colors are brown and gold, and their nickname is Warriors. Their official mascot name is Warrior, and their nicknames include Hope Warriors or Hoppers for men’s teams and Hoppers for women’s teams.
California State University Maritime Academy
California State University Maritime Academy is a public university that can be found in Vallejo, California.
It is one of the NAIA academic schools in California and the only maritime academy on the United States West Coast.
Students have a variety of sports to participate in including:
- Men’s Basketball
- Women’s Basketball
- Men’s Soccer
- Rugby
California Baptist University
Located in Riverside, California Baptist University is one of the most highly ranked NAIA schools in Southern California.
It is a private, Christian University founded in 1950 and it is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention, an organization affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention
The university offers graduate-level degrees as well as undergraduate programs for both men and women.
California Baptist University was also named a Best Midwestern College by Forbes magazine.
La Sierra University
La Sierra University was founded in 1922 and is one of the private Seventh-day Adventist universities in Riverside, California.
It also has a satellite campus that offers classes at San Bernardino Valley College. It is also one of the best NAIA academic schools in California.
In athletics, La Sierra University competes as a member of the Pacific West Conference and fields 17 varsity teams.
The team mascot is a lion named Roary, and they go by Cardinal red and gold colors when competing at sporting events.
Conclusion
In most cases, attending a community college or a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school is ideal for students and their budgets.
However, there are certain benefits of attending a Division I university. For example, students may have better access to internships, more research opportunities, and better networking possibilities at larger universities.
When comparing schools, it’s important to think about your future career goals and what you want from your higher education experience.
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