NAIA vs NCAA

NAIA: The Right Choice for You

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.

Regardless of their size, all schools are in competition for students. Student-athlete participation at NAIA schools has increased over the last five years. That’s good for the student-athletes and provides vital support and financial stability to our member institutions.

65% of athletics departments produce net return of more than $2MM
The average NAIA member sponsors 17 sports, a five-year increase of 25%

See the Difference

The numbers show that NAIA member schools are maximizing their Return on Athletics^®

Average athletics
department net return

Average net return
per student-athlete

Average NAIA member sponsors 17 sports, a five-year increase of 25%

Spend 40% less than NCAA counterparts for quality athletic program

Average increase in NAIA student-athlete participation over five years

65% of athletics departments produce net return of more than $2MM

“Moving from NCAA DIII to NAIA has had a significant impact on our enrollment. Our discount rate – which normally hovered between 40-42% which is below the national average for private colleges – right now our discount rate is running at 32% and I attribute much of that to the Return on Athletics®.”