Overview of the NCAA Southland Conference

The Southland Conference is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as a Division I conference. All thirteen schools are, naturally, in the southern part of the country, with colleges from Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana represented. The conference, founded in 1963, sponsors eight men's sports and nine women's. The Southland Conference is part of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

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Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University offers programs in a range of disciplines, including business, healthcare, education, and the fine arts. Academics are supported by a 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio. Popular sports include football, basketball, track and field, and soccer.

Location: Abilene, Texas
School type: Private University
Enrollment: 4,427 (3,650 undergraduate)
Team: Wildcats
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Abilene Christian University profile.

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Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University fields seven men's and eight women's sports. Popular choices include football, track and field, soccer, and softball. The school is affiliated with the Baptist church and offers students academic and extracurricular activities that reflect this focus on religion.

Location: Houston, Texas
School type: Private University
Enrollment: 3,128 (2,288 undergraduate)
Team: Huskies
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Houston Baptist University profile.

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Lamar University

Among bachelor's degree students, business, communications, and engineering are all popular. Students can choose from over 100 clubs and organizations including an active fraternity and sorority system. The university fields seven men's and seven women's intercollegiate teams.

Location: Beaumont, Texas
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 14,895 (9,279 undergraduate)
Team: Cardinals (and Lady Cardinals)
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Lamar University profile.

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McNeese State University

McNeese State was founded as a junior college in 1939, and today it is a comprehensive master's-level university. McNeese students come from 34 states and 49 countries, and they can choose from over 75 degree programs. Academics are supported by a 21 to 1 student/faculty ratio.

Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 8,237 (7,484 undergraduate)
Team: Cowboys (and Cowgirls)
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the McNeese State University profile.

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Nicholls State University

Founded in 1948, Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, Louisiana, a small city a little over an hour from both Baton Rouge and New Orleans. On the extracurricular front, students can choose from over 100 clubs and organizations including an active fraternity and sorority system.

Location: Thibodaux, Louisiana
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 6,292 (5,690 undergraduate)
Team: Cowboys (and Cowgirls)
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Nicholls State University profile.

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Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University is a public university in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a city located a little over an hour southeast of Shreveport. With over 100 student organizations to choose from, including the Spirit of NSU Marching Band, student life is active at Northwestern. Northwestern State University

Location: Natchitoches, Louisiana
School type: Public
Enrollment: 9,002 (7,898 undergraduates)
Team: Demons
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Northwestern State University profile.

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Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public university located on a 272-acre campus in Huntsville, Texas, a small city situated between Dallas and Houston. Founded as a teacher training school, SHSU is part of the Texas State University system.

Location: Huntsville, Texas
School type: Private
Enrollment: 19,573 (16,819 undergraduate)
Team: Bearkats
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Sam Houston State University profile.

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Southeastern Louisiana University

A public university located on a 365-acre campus in Hammond, Louisiana Southeastern Louisiana University was founded in 1925 and still continues strong today. In student life, Southeastern Louisiana University has 21 Greek organizations making up its active fraternity and sorority system. The university fields 15 intercollegiate teams.

Location: Hammond, Louisiana
School type: Public
Enrollment: 14,487 (13,365 undergraduates)
Team: Lions
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Southeastern Louisiana University profile.

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Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University offers over 80 undergraduate majors. Health and business fields are extremely popular, but the university also has robust programs in art, music, communications, psychology and many other fields. Popular sports include track and field, football, basketball, and softball.

Location: Nacogdoches, Texas
School type: Public
Enrollment: 12,801 (11,024 undergraduates)
Team: Lumberjacks
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Stephen F. Austin State University profile.

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Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi is a public university in Corpus Christi, Texas. Academics are supported by a 23 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and popular majors include accounting, business, finance, and nursing. Popular sports include basketball, tennis, track and field, and cross country.

Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 11,256 (9,076) undergraduates
Team: Islanders
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi profile .

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University of Central Arkansas

Students at UCA can choose from over 80 majors. Popular choices include biology, business, education, and nursing. The school has a student/faculty ratio of 17 to 1. The school fields seventeen sports, including football, volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

Location: Conway, Arkansas
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 11,698 (9,842 undergraduates)
Team: Bears
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of Central Arkansas profile.

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University of the Incarnate Word

Located in San Antonio, the University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic school that offers over 80 fields of study. It is the largest Catholic university in Texas and is known for its culturally diverse student body. Popular sports at UIW include swimming, track and field, basketball, football, and tennis.

Location: San Antonio, Texas
School type: Private University
Enrollment: 8,745 (6,496 undergraduates)
Team: Cardinals
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of the Incarnate Word profile.

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University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans offers a range of majors for students to choose from: popular choices include accounting, business, communication, marketing, and biology. The school fields six men's and six women's sports--including track and field, volleyball, basketball, and cross country.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
School type: Public University
Enrollment: 9,234 (7,152 undergraduates)
Team: Privateers
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of New Orleans profile.