University of the Southwest Athletics

The Mustangs compete in NAIA, which sits between NCAA Division I and Division III with moderate athletic scholarships and regional competition. With 297 athletes out of 337 total students, an impressive 88% of the student body participates in varsity sports. The school awards $1,876,038 in athletic scholarships across 11 sports programs. This makes University of the Southwest primarily an athletic-focused institution where nearly everyone plays a sport. The tiny enrollment means most teams likely struggle to field full rosters, but the high participation rate creates a campus culture dominated by athletics. As a Christian university in remote New Mexico, the Mustangs probably compete against other small regional schools rather than drawing major crowds or media attention.