DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn was rated No. 5 in the nation and the highest in the state of Michigan among 130 NAIA schools in "power rankings" released by Next College Student Athlete entitled "Best NAIA Colleges for Student-Athletes" and compiled from extensive research.
The rankings are based on "proprietary analysis" of data obtained by the organization based in Chicago from the college search activity of over two million student-athletes on the NCSA recruiting network; "U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges" general academic rankings; and U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard graduation rates and average cost after aid.
"We are proud of the top five ranking from NCSA as it takes into account our high academic standards and affordability which make for a great experience for our student-athletes," said University of Michigan-Dearborn Interim Athletic Director Bryan Earl.
NCSA listed UM-Dearborn's one-year tuition rate at $25,158 and the average cost of attendance after aid at $11,208.
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference had two of the top five teams, ranked in this order: Soka University of America (Aliso Viejo, Calif.), Indiana Wesleyan University, University of California-Merced, and WHAC members Taylor University and UM-Dearborn.
NCSA, founded in 2000, noted on its website (www.ncsasports.org) that it is "the world's largest and most successful athletic recruiting network," with 35,000 college coaches and more than 780 employees, assisting student-athletes in 34 sports find their best path college.
The Wolverines feature 16 athletic programs: men's and women's basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey and soccer as well as baseball, softball, men's lacrosse and women's volleyball.
Full rankings can be found here:https://www.ncsasports.org/best-colleges/best-naia-colleges
