return on athletics® (ROA)

Leverage the Power of Athletics

Data-driven decisions start here. No other resource in small college athletics does what ROA does — it's the only tool that gives you peer benchmarks, financial insights, and actionable research to strengthen recruitment, retention, and financial sustainability on your campus.

The New ROA:
Clearer Insight. Greater Institutional Impact

ROA is now integrated directly into NAIA Connect — access your benchmarks, peer comparisons, and data submission right where you already work. Log in to get started.

Stronger, More Actionable Insights.

Multi-year trends, conference and association-wide comparisons, and enhanced dashboards to support day-to-day decision-making.

Simpler, Smarter Data Collection

Pre-populated year-end data means less manual entry, better accuracy, and time back in your day.

Seamless Access, Better Experience

ROA lives inside NAIA Connect now, with role-based views so presidents, CFOs, and ADs see exactly what they need.

NAIA Connect

"On the Nelson campus, NAIA ROA has proven to be a great source of information. The NAIA continues to innovate the ROA platform, seeking new ways to enhance data presentation and new initiatives and research to benefit the campus user. The ability to review our campus data and the information from other NAIA sub-populations for education, comparison, and decision making has proven valuable for administrators and coaches."

Dr. Jesse Godding, Nelson University, Director of Athletics

“Return on Athletics has become an incredible useful tool for us at Friends University. It helps us understand ourselves better, see how we compare to our peers, and know what we need to do to stay competitive both athletically and for students. I have leaned on it repeatedly with our board and cabinet, and I appreciate that the NAIA is always looking for ways to make it better for the schools using it."

Dr. Rob Ramseyer, Friends University, Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Expansion

ROA Research Briefs

Built to inform the conversations that shape your athletics programs. Each brief delivers association-wide findings on topics like retention, roster size, and financial performance — giving you the evidence to bring data-backed recommendations to your next cabinet meeting.

ROA Briefs

ROA Winning Decisions

NAIA’s educational program is designed to empower executives to optimize financial returns and student success through the Return on Athletics® (ROA) platform. After completing the Winning Decisions program, you will have gained the skills needed to navigate ROA and the complexities of athletic department enrollment, finance, and student success effectively.

ROA Winning Decisions

Benchmark Tool

ROA is where your data becomes direction. Compare your athletics programs against 250+ NAIA peers, track financial performance over time, and uncover opportunities to strengthen enrollment, retention, and net return — all in one place.

ROA Benchmark Tool

return on athletics® (ROA)

Leverage the Power of Athletics

The New ROA:Clearer Insight. Greater Institutional Impact

Stronger, More Actionable Insights.

Simpler, Smarter Data Collection

Seamless Access, Better Experience

ROA Research Briefs

ROA Winning Decisions

Benchmark Tool

Need Help?Guides, FAQs, and walkthroughs are available inside NAIA Connect.

The New ROA:
Clearer Insight. Greater Institutional Impact

Need Help?
Guides, FAQs, and walkthroughs are available inside NAIA Connect.