NAIA independent football schools are four-year institutional members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) that play college football independent of any formal conference affiliation. In sports other than football, these schools compete in a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA called Continental Athletic Conference.
NAIA football independents Andrew and Faulkner will join the Appalachian Athletic Conference as associate members for football beginning in the 2027 season. Current members Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Since Primaryconference Andrew College Cuthbert, Georgia 1854 United Methodist 496 Fighting Tigers 2026 SSAC Faulkner University Montgomery, Alabama 1942 Churches of Christ 2,933 Eagles 2026 SSAC
Notes
Yearly records NAIA Division II independents (1970–1996)
NAIA independents (1997–present)
See also NAIA independent schools
References