The Who's Who Of The NAIA College Soccer Scene!
Missouri Valley College (NAIA) Men’s Soccer in Action!
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is home to some of the most exceptional soccer programs in the United States. The best soccer colleges in the NAIA have a combination of strong athletic programs, rigorous academic standards, and a supportive campus culture. These colleges attract top soccer talent from across the country and internationally, and provide them with the resources they need to succeed both on and off the field. So without further ado, take a look at the best men's and women's soccer colleges in the NAIA.
NOTE: You can read the other articles in this series here, here & here! Also…as I’ve noted in all the other articles to date. This is definitely not an extensive list! There are plenty of top quality NAIA college soccer programs, and the rankings change year per year, but this article acts as a high level guide!
The best soccer colleges in the NAIA have a combination of strong athletic programs, rigorous academic standards, and a supportive campus culture. These colleges attract top soccer talent from across the country and internationally, and provide them with the resources they need to succeed both on and off the field.
Best Men's Soccer Colleges in the NAIA:
Oklahoma Wesleyan University: The Oklahoma Wesleyan University men's soccer team has been dominant in recent years, winning back-to-back national championships in 2019 and 2020. In 2022, they finished the season with a record of 20-1-1 and were ranked number one in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for the majority of the season.
Central Methodist University: The Central Methodist University men's soccer team had a great season in 2022, finishing with a record of 19-1-2 and making it to the semifinals of the national tournament. They were ranked number two in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for much of the season. We had our own Upper 90 College alumni graduate from CMU in Miriam McLaren!
Missouri Valley College: The Missouri Valley College men's soccer team finished the 2022 season with a record of 19-2-2 and made it to the quarterfinals of the national tournament. They were ranked number three in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for much of the season.
Best Women's Soccer Colleges in the NAIA:
Keiser University: The Keiser University women's soccer team had an outstanding season in 2022, finishing with a record of 23-0-0 and winning the national championship. They were ranked number one in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for the entire season.
Lindsey Wilson College: The Lindsey Wilson College women's soccer team had a great season in 2022, finishing with a record of 21-2-0 and making it to the national championship game. They were ranked number two in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for much of the season.
William Carey University: The William Carey University women's soccer team finished the 2022 season with a record of 17-3-1 and made it to the quarterfinals of the national tournament. They were ranked number three in the NAIA Coaches' Poll for much of the season. Over the years, we’ve had some of our own Upper 90 College clients, like Emma Farrelly play at William Carey!
Now that we know which colleges have the best soccer programs, let's talk about what you need to do to become part of one of these top teams.
To be recruited by a top soccer college in the NAIA, you need to be proactive in your college search. Start by creating a list of colleges that meet your academic and athletic criteria, and then reach out to the coaches at these schools. Attend showcases, camps, and tournaments to get exposure and showcase your skills.
But being a good soccer player isn't enough. You also need to have strong academics. The best soccer colleges in the NAIA have rigorous academic standards and expect their student-athletes to excel in the classroom. Make sure you're taking challenging courses and maintaining good grades.
If you want to uncover more about what it takes to play college soccer in the USA, or are interested to head over to study and play, contact us today to find out how, and check out more about our services here.
