# List of NAIA football programs

This is a list of schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) that have football as a varsity sport. In the 2024 season, there are a total of 97 NAIA football programs.

## NAIA football programs

| Institution | Nickname | City | State | Program Established | Conference for football | Primary conference |
| Arizona Christian University | Firestorm | Phoenix | Arizona | 2014 | Frontier Conference | Great Southwest Athletic Conference |
| Arkansas Baptist College | Buffaloes | Little Rock | Arkansas | 2007 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Continental Athletic Conference |
| Ave Maria University | Gyrenes | Naples | Florida | 2011 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Avila University | Eagles | Kansas City | Missouri | 1999 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Baker University | Wildcats | Baldwin City | Kansas | 1890 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Benedictine College | Ravens | Atchison | Kansas | 1902 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Bethany College | Terrible Swedes | Lindsborg | Kansas | 1893 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Bethel University | Wildcats | McKenzie | Tennessee | 1900 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| Bethel College | Threshers | Newton | Kansas | 1914 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Bluefield University | Rams | Bluefield | Virginia | 1941; 2012 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Briar Cliff University | Chargers | Sioux City | Iowa | 2003 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Campbellsville University | Tigers | Campbellsville | Kentucky | 1988 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| Carroll College | Fighting Saints | Helena | Montana | 1920 | Frontier Conference | Frontier Conference |
| Central Methodist University | Eagles | Fayette | Missouri | 1896 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Clarke University | Pride | Dubuque | Iowa | N/A | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Concordia University Ann Arbor | Cardinals | Ann Arbor | Michigan | 2011 | Mid-States Football Association | Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Bulldogs | Seward | Nebraska | 2000 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Culver–Stockton College | Wildcats | Canton | Missouri | N/A | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Cumberland University | Phoenix | Lebanon | Tennessee | 1894 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| University of the Cumberlands | Patriots | Williamsburg | Kentucky | 1985 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| Dakota State University | Trojans | Madison | South Dakota | 2006 | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | Tigers | Mitchell | South Dakota | 1897 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Defiance College | Yellow Jackets | Defiance | Ohio | 1903 | Mid-States Football Association | Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference |
| Dickinson State University | Blue Hawks | Dickinson | North Dakota | 1925 | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025.) | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025.) |
| Doane University | Tigers | Crete | Nebraska | 1891 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Dordt University | Defenders | Sioux Center | Iowa | 2008 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Eastern Oregon University | Mountaineers | La Grande | Oregon | 1929 | Frontier Conference | Cascade Collegiate Conference |
| Evangel University | Valor | Springfield | Missouri | 1977 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Faulkner University | Eagles | Montgomery | Alabama | N/A | Mid-South Conference | Southern States Athletic Conference |
| Florida Memorial University | Lions | Miami Gardens | Florida | 1945; 2020 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Friends University | Falcons | Wichita | Kansas | N/A | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Georgetown College | Tigers | Georgetown | Kentucky | 1893 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| Graceland University | Yellowjackets | Lamoni | Iowa | 1910 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Grand View University | Vikings | Des Moines | Iowa | 2008 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Hastings College | Broncos | Hastings | Nebraska | 1895 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| College of Idaho | Coyotes | Caldwell | Idaho | 1905; 2014 | Frontier Conference | Cascade Collegiate Conference |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | Wildcats | Marion | Indiana | 2018 | Mid-States Football Association | Crossroads League |
| University of Jamestown | Jimmies | Jamestown | North Dakota | 1914 | North Star Athletic Association | North Star Athletic Association |
| Judson University | Eagles | Elgin | Illinois | 2021 | Mid-States Football Association | Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Coyotes | Salina | Kansas | 1893 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Keiser University | Seahawks | West Palm Beach | Florida | 2018 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Kentucky Christian University | Knights | Grayson | Kentucky | 2008 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Langston University | Lions | Langston | Oklahoma | 1922 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Sooner Athletic Conference |
| Lawrence Technological University | Blue Devils | Southfield | Michigan | 1933; 2018 | Mid-States Football Association | Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference |
| Lindsey Wilson College | Blue Raiders | Columbia | Kentucky | 2010 | Mid-South Conference | Mid-South Conference |
| Louisiana Christian University | Wildcats | Pineville | Louisiana | 1908; 2000 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Red River Athletic Conference |
| Madonna University | Crusaders | Livonia | Michigan | 2020 | Mid-States Football Association | Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference |
| Marian University | Knights | Indianapolis | Indiana | 2007 | Mid-States Football Association | Crossroads League |
| Mayville State University | Comets | Mayville | North Dakota | N/A | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) |
| McPherson College | Bulldogs | McPherson | Kansas | 1917 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | Pioneers | Olathe | Kansas | 1979 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Midland University | Warriors | Fremont | Nebraska | 1895 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Missouri Baptist University | Spartans | St. Louis | Missouri | 2014 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | American Midwest Conference (Heart of America Athletic Conference as full-member in 2025.) |
| Missouri Valley College | Vikings | Marshall | Missouri | 1892 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| Montana State University-Northern | Lights | Havre | Montana | 1957 | Frontier Conference | Frontier Conference |
| Montana Technological University | Orediggers | Butte | Montana | 1902 | Frontier Conference | Frontier Conference |
| University of Montana Western | Bulldogs | Dillon | Montana | N/A | Frontier Conference | Frontier Conference |
| Morningside University | Mustangs | Sioux City | Iowa | 1898 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Mount Marty University | Lancers | Yankton | South Dakota | 2021 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Nelson University | Lions | Waxahachie | Texas | 1996 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Sooner Athletic Conference |
| North American University | Stallions | Stafford | Texas | 2020 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Red River Athletic Conference |
| Northwestern College | Red Raiders | Orange City | Iowa | 1950 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | Aggies | Goodwell | Oklahoma | N/A | Sooner Athletic Conference | Sooner Athletic Conference |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Tigers | Bourbonnais | Illinois | 1976 | Mid-States Football Association | Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Ottawa University | Braves | Ottawa | Kansas | 1891 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Ottawa University Arizona | Spirit | Surprise | Arizona | 2018 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Great Southwest Athletic Conference |
| Peru State College | Bobcats | Peru | Nebraska | 1900 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| University of Pikeville | Bears | Pikeville | Kentucky | 2001 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Point University | Skyhawks | West Point | Georgia | 2012 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Reinhardt University | Eagles | Waleska | Georgia | 2013 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Rocky Mountain College | Battlin' Bears | Billings | Montana | 1931 | Frontier Conference | Frontier Conference |
| St. Ambrose University | Fighting Bees | Davenport | Iowa | 1893; 1974 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| St. Andrews University | Knights | Laurinburg | North Carolina | 2017 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| University of St. Francis (IL) | Fighting Saints | Joliet | Illinois | 1986 | Mid-States Football Association | Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| University of Saint Francis (IN) | Cougars | Fort Wayne | Indiana | 1998 | Mid-States Football Association | Crossroads League |
| University of Saint Mary | Spires | Leavenworth | Kansas | 2000 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Saint Thomas University | Bobcats | Miami Gardens | Florida | 2019 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Saint Xavier University | Cougars | Chicago | Illinois | 1993 | Mid-States Football Association | Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Siena Heights University | Saints | Adrian | Michigan | 2012 | Mid-States Football Association | Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference |
| Simpson University | Red Hawks | Redding | California | 2023 | Independent (Frontier Conference in 2025) | California Pacific Conference |
| Southeastern University | Fire | Lakeland | Florida | 2014 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Southern Oregon University | Raiders | Ashland | Oregon | 1927 | Frontier Conference | Cascade Collegiate Conference |
| Southwestern College | Moundbuilders | Winfield | Kansas | 1903 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Sterling College | Warriors | Sterling | Kansas | 1893 | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Tabor College | Bluejays | Hillsboro | Kansas | N/A | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference | Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference |
| Taylor University | Trojans | Upland | Indiana | N/A | Mid-States Football Association | Crossroads League |
| Texas College | Steers | Tyler | Texas | 1922; 2004 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Red River Athletic Conference |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Rams | Fort Worth | Texas | 1933; 2017 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Sooner Athletic Conference |
| Thomas University | Night Hawks | Thomasville | Georgia | 2022 | The Sun Conference | Southern States Athletic Conference |
| Union Commonwealth University | Bulldogs | Barbourville | Kentucky | 1905; 1922; 1984 | Appalachian Athletic Conference | Appalachian Athletic Conference |
| Valley City State University | Vikings | Valley City | North Dakota | N/A | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) | North Star Athletic Association (Frontier Conference in 2025) |
| Waldorf University | Warriors | Forest City | Iowa | 1965 | Great Plains Athletic Conference | Great Plains Athletic Conference |
| Warner University | Royals | Lake Wales | Florida | 2013 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| Wayland Baptist University | Pioneers | Plainview | Texas | 2012 | Sooner Athletic Conference | Sooner Athletic Conference |
| Webber International University | Warriors | Babson Park | Florida | 2003 | The Sun Conference | The Sun Conference |
| William Penn University | Statesmen | Oskaloosa | Iowa | 1892 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference |
| William Woods University | Owls | Fulton | Missouri | 2024 | Heart of America Athletic Conference | American Midwest Conference (Heart of America Athletic Conference as full-member in 2025.) |
* ↑ Concordia Ann Arbor announced that they would discontinue all athletic programs after the 2024–25 academic year.
* ↑ Transitioning from the NCAA Division III.
* ↑ Joining Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NCAA Division II) in 2025.
* ↑ North American announced that they would discontinue their football program after the 2024–25 academic year.

## Future NAIA football programs

| School | Nickname | City | State | Conference for football | Primary conference | Begins play |
| University of Rio Grande | RedStorm | Rio Grande | Ohio | Appalachian Athletic Conference | River States Conference | 2025 |
| Mount Mercy University | Mustangs | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | Heart of America Athletic Conference | Heart of America Athletic Conference | 2026 |