Top 20 Best NAIA Schools In Michigan

Best NAIA Schools In Michigan

Anyone who has gone to college in Michigan will tell you that the state boasts some of the top institutions in the country, ranging from prominent research universities to liberal arts colleges. But the alternatives don’t end there—there are also several NAIA schools in Michigan!

NAIA Schools in Michigan are dedicated to providing students with the best educational experience possible and ensuring that their students receive the best education possible. In this article, we will be covering the best NAIA schools in Michigan.

Best NAIA Schools In Michigan

  • Aquinas College
  • Cleary University
  • Concordia University, Ann Arbor
  • Cornerstone University
  • Lawrence Technological University
  • Madonna University
  • Rochester University
  • Spring Arbor University

1. Aquinas College

Aquinas College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Recognized as one of the best NAIA schools in Michigan, Aquinas College is a welcoming educational community rooted in Catholic and Dominican traditions, offering a liberal arts education with a global perspective. 

The athletic team of Aquinas is known as the Saints. Since the 1992-93 academic year, the institution has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily participating in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball are among the men’s sports. In contrast, women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, dance, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, stunt, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and eSports.

Aquinas provides bachelor’s degrees in over 20 academic subjects, including engineering, teaching, and nursing. The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business Administration both offer master’s degrees. At Aquinas, students can pick from over 70 minors, including art history, biology, business administration, communication studies, and psychology.

2. Cleary University

Cleary University is a private university in Livingston County, Michigan, that focuses on business education. It also maintains a learning facility in Detroit. Cleary University provides certificate programs and ABA, BBA, MS, and MBA degrees.

Cleary’s sporting team is known as the Cougars. Since the 2018-19 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for most of its sports; however, its men’s wrestling program competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). 

From 2012-13 (when the school re-established its athletics program) through 2018-19, they were also a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). When the Cougars joined the NAIA for the 2017-18 academic year, they competed as an NAIA Independent under the Association of Independent Institutions (AII). 

Cleary participates in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: baseball, bowling, cross country, golf, hockey, soccer, track & field, and wrestling for men; bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and track & field for women; and eSports for co-ed. Men’s and women’s lacrosse and co-ed competitive dancing were among the previous sports.

Cleary students benefit from companionship, support, and real-world learning that fosters strong ethics, creative thinking, and critical problem-solving abilities – all highly valued by the business world. Graduates are humanistic, relationship-focused professionals who are productive in the job from day one and transmit the genuine caring that comes with a Cleary education.

3. Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Concordia University is a Lutheran higher education community dedicated to preparing students in intellect, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and worldwide. The institution was founded in 1864 and is one of the best NAIA schools in Michigan, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. CUAA has about 1,200 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of about 11 to 1. Concordia has over 70 areas of study, graduate programs, adult education programs, and a variety of study-abroad opportunities.

The Cardinals are the athletic team of Concordia-Ann Arbor (CUAA). Corky the Cardinal is the school’s mascot. Since the 1992-93 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for most of its sports, while its football team competes in the Mideast League of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA). They are also a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) member, participating as an independent in the Division I Midwest Region.

Baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track, and field are among the men’s sports offered by CUAA (indoor and outdoor). Women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, stunt, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. At the same time, cheerleading, competitive dance, and eSports are examples of co-ed sports.

4. Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a private, non-denominational Christian university. Cornerstone, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and others, is committed to offering quality education to all students that pass through our doors. That includes teaching them how to lead with integrity and serve with humility.

Cornerstone’s sporting teams are known as the Golden Eagles. Since the 1992-93 academic year, the institution has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily participating in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Cornerstone competes in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling for men, and basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling for women.

The university provides 60 academic programs in the arts, sciences, humanities, the Bible, teacher education, computers, business, and journalism. Cornerstone had 1,998 students enrolled as of 2020, including professional and graduate studies and both seminaries.

5. Lawrence Technological University

Lawrence has strived for excellence and integrity in all of its endeavors since its inception in 1847. Through its four colleges: Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering, the university offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in science, technology, engineering, architecture and design, and mathematics.

Lawrence Tech’s sporting teams are known as the Blue Devils. Since the 2012-13 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for most of its sports, while the university’s second men’s ice hockey team is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) at the Division III level as a member of the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC); and its football (MSFA).

During the 2011-12 academic year, the Blue Devils competed as an NAIA Independent under the Association of Independent Institutions (AII). Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey (D-I and D-III), lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball, while women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball.

6. Madonna University

Madonna University is a Catholic private university in Livonia, Michigan. The institution offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in over 100 career-focused majors, and the graduate school offers over 30 master’s and doctorate programs in Education and Nursing.

The Crusaders are the Madonna athletic team. Since the 1997-98 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for most of its sports, while its football team competes in the Mideast League of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).

Men compete in baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and track & field, while women compete in basketball, bowling, cheerleading, competitive dance, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball.

7. Rochester University

Rochester University is an approved liberal art educational school. The institution offers regular and accelerated learning bachelor’s degree degrees and a master’s degree in missional leadership.

Rochester’s sporting teams are known as the Warriors. Since the 2017-18 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC); however, they had competed as an associate member for baseball during the 2016-17 school year before applying for full membership. 

From 2011-12 through 2016-17, the Warriors participated as an NAIA Independent in the Association of Independent Institutions (AII). From 2018-19 to 2019-20, the men’s wrestling team competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC).

Before entering the NAIA, they were a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and the National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA), where they won eight national titles.

Rochester competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling for men, and basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor and outdoor) for women, and volleyball for co-ed.

8. Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University is one of the best NAIA schools in Michigan. SAU is a private Free Methodist university in Spring Arbor, Michigan. At its main campus in Spring Arbor, Michigan, SAU offers approximately 70 undergraduate majors and programs. 

Spring Arbor’s sporting teams are known as the Cougars. Since the 2004-05 academic year, the university has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily participating in the Crossroads League (previously known as the Mid-Central College Conference (MCCC) until after the 2011-12 school year). 

They were also a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) member, participating mainly as an independent in the Division I Midwest Region. From 1992-93 through 2003-04, the Cougars played in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track & field; women’s sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Michigan is home to some of the best NAIA colleges in the country, with outstanding athletic programs and facilities in one of the most beautiful states in the country. Consider one of these Michigan NAIA institutions if you’re an athlete searching for a great school.

While many of the demographics for top-performing NAIA and NCAA schools are similar, there are several essential characteristics that distinguish the NAIA. DII schools spend 70% more on athletic programs than NAIA schools. NAIA schools spend significantly less to compete nationally.

Few NAIA institutions will provide athletes with full-ride scholarships, although partial scholarships are more prevalent. You must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to earn financing and participate on a team.

References

  • https://beststudyabroadcountries.com/best-naia-schools-in-michigan/
  • https://www.arbor.edu/about/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Arbor_University
  • https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/mi
  • https://worldstudyhub.com/top-10-best-naia-schools-in-michigan/

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