Exploring Tribal Higher Education: A Complete List of Tribal Colleges
Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are higher education institutions that are created by and for American Indian and Alaska Native and Alaska Native communities in the United States of America. They provide a variety of academic programs, such as certificates, bachelor’s, and some offer master’s degrees. All tribal colleges focus on American Indian and Alaska Native culture, traditions, languages, and history. You can find these institutions on or near reservations where they are governed by the tribes themselves or by tribal organizations.
American Indian and Alaska Native students, as well as non-Native students from the surrounding areas, are able to access these centers while creating a future for themselves. These education institutions are crucial for the betterment of indigenous people and the advancement of research. They help students that come from a variety of different backgrounds with needs that are unique. Tribal colleges encourage community engagement to empower and uplift the people of the community.
This article provides a comprehensive list of accredited tribal colleges that can be found in the United States of America. Explore the different programs, certifications, and research that each college offers. While each college and institution is going to be different there are some similarities between all tribal colleges.
Tribal colleges were created in response to the American Indian self-determination movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s. American Indian and Alaska Natives were seeking more control over their own education systems on their land. The federal government allowed funding to create institutions that are known today as tribal colleges and universities. These colleges exist for the preservation and continuation of American Indian and Alaska Native languages, cultures, and traditions.
According to the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, there are currently 37 tribal colleges. This list includes colleges accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association and the Northwest Accreditation Commission. The colleges are listed by state and in alphabetical order:
Alaska
Ilisagvik College
Accreditation: Northwest Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Iñupiat
Key Academic Programs: Iñupiaq Studies, Construction Technologies, Adult Education, and Industrial Safety.
Arizona
Diné College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Key Academic Programs: Arts and Humanities, Business and Social Science, Diné Studies and Education, Math, and Transformation.
Tohono O’odham Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Tohono O’odham
Key Academic Programs: Offers 2 year program certificates in the liberal arts, education, and education. Certificates for culinary arts, education, and digital media are also available.
Kansas
Haskell Indian Nations University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Represents over 140 tribes
Key Academic Programs: Business, Education, and Humanities.
Michigan
Bay Mills Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Ojibwa or Chippewa (Bay Mills Indian Community)
Key Academic Programs: Education, Liberal Arts, Medical Coding, Linguistics, and Health and Wellness.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa
Key Academic Programs: Childhood Education, Anishinaabe Studies, Health Sciences, and Environmental Science.
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Saginaw Chippewa
Key Academic Programs: American Indian and Alaska Native Studies, Business, Science, Liberal Arts, and Developmental Studies.
Minnesota
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa
Key Academic Programs: Environmental Science, Nursing, Law Enforcement, and Geographic Information Systems.
Leech Lake Tribal College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Ojibwe
Key Academic Programs: Indigenous Science, Electrical Technician, and Carpentry.
Red Lake Nation College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Ojibwe
Key Academic Programs: Liberal Education, Associate in Arts & Social & Behavioral Sciences, Associate in Applied Science
White Earth Tribal and Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa
Key Academic Programs: Sciences, Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies.
Montana
Blackfeet Community College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Blackfeet
Key Academic Programs: 2 year programs in Human Services, Liberal Studies, Business, IT, and Education.
Chief Dull Knife College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Cheyenne
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees and certificates in Sciences and Liberal Arts.
Aaniiih Nakoda College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Nakoda and Aaniiih
Key Academic Programs: Ecology, 2 year programs in Nursing, Sciences, and Industrial Trades.
Fort Peck Community College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Assiniboine, Lakota, Dakota, and Sioux
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees for Science, Applied Sciences, and Arts
Little Big Horn College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Crow (Apsáalooke)
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees for Arts, Sciences, and Individualized Studies.
Salish Kootenai College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Bitterroots Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreilles
Key Academic Programs: Forestry, Business Administration, Hydrology, and Life Sciences.
Stone Child College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa-Cree
Key Academic Programs: Education, Cybersecurity, American Indian and Alaska Native Art, and Human Services.
Nebraska
Nebraska Indian Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Omaha and Santee
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees for carpentry, business, and education.
Little Priest Tribal College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Ho-Chunk
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees in Education, Applied Sciences, and Indigenous Studies.
New Mexico
Navajo Technical College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Key Academic Programs: Computer Science, Leadership, Chemistry, and Creative Writing.
Institute of American Indian Arts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Cherokee
Key Academic Programs: Museum Studies, American Indian and Alaska Native Arts, Studio Arts, and Performing Arts.
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Numerous American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes
Key Academic Programs: Culinary Arts, Environmental Studies, and Education.
North Dakota
Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Dakota
Key Academic Programs: 2 year degrees for Social Work, Fine Arts, and Pre-Engineering.
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara.
Key Academic Programs: Addiction Studies, Business Administration, and CDL Programs.
Sitting Bull College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Dakota
Key Academic Programs: Arts, Science, Social Work, and Criminal Justice.
Turtle Mountain Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Chippewa
Key Academic Programs: Accounting, HVAC, Engineering, and Heavy Equipment Operator.
United Tribes Technical College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Spirit Lake Tribe, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
Key Academic Programs: Paralegal, Welding, Graphic Design, and Automotive Technology.
Oklahoma
College of the Muscogee Nation
Accreditation: Associate
Tribal Affiliation: Muscogee
Key Academic Programs: Tribal Services, American Indian and Alaska Native Studies, Gaming, and General Studies.
Comanche Nation College
Accreditation: Associate
Tribal Affiliation: Comanche
Key Academic Programs: Family Services and Furthering Education.
South Dakota
Oglala Lakota College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Lakota
Key Academic Programs: Business, Education, Humanities, and Lakota Studies.
Sinte Gleska University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Sicangu
Key Academic Programs: Nursing, Art, and Business.
Sisseton Wahpeton College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Dakota
Key Academic Programs: Behavioral Sciences, Dakota Studies, Education, and Carpentry.
Washington
Northwest Indian College
Accreditation: Northwest Accreditation Commission
Tribal Affiliation: Lummi
Key Academic Programs: Native Studies, Tribal Governance, and Native Environmental Science.
Wisconsin
College of Menominee Nation
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Menominee
Key Academic Programs: Sustainable Agriculture, Education, and Public Administration.
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association
Tribal Affiliation: Ojibwe
Key Academic Programs: Nursing, General Studies, Humanities, and Education.
Wyoming
Wind River Tribal College
Accreditation: Associate Status
Tribal Affiliation: Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho
Key Academic Programs: Agriculture, Equistrine, Business, Applied Science, and Technical Studies.
Every tribal college will have a slightly different admission process. Community colleges often have a more open admissions policy than universities. Transcripts, standardized test scores and financial information are things most colleges want to see. Read through the process for your selected college carefully before you send in your submission.
After the application process, there is also an opportunity for financial aid and scholarships, including the Cobell Scholarship. Both of these options require a similar application process but can help cover financial costs. Tribal colleges do not participate in the federal student loan program but completion of a FAFSA will help determine the type of financial aid that will be available to you.
Graduation rates, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and professional success show how vital tribal colleges are to the future for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. These students who eventually become graduates become educators, leaders, and advocates for furthering American Indian and Alaska Native heritage and culture.
For graduation rates there has been over a 20 percent increase in graduation rates at Navajo Technical University in the past decade. This means that more American Indian and Alaska Natives are graduating college, allowing them to become professionals while making a difference in their community.
Different companies and businesses are run by tribal college graduates. Different colleges have programs set up to allow students to start businesses and see how they can positively impact their communities. This helps drive the economic growth of reservations while helping expand resources.
Many tribal college students go on to be involved in community pursuits. These include tribal governments, educating local communities, and advocating for American Indian and Alaska Native rights. These students go on to impact individuals and make their lives more meaningful and fulfilling with their understanding and knowledge of American Indian and Alaska Native heritage.
A great example of professional achievement is Mary Kim Titla, graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University. She became the first American Indian and Alaska Native woman to anchor a national television news program. Her achievements are inspiring for all students attending tribal colleges. Our own CEO and President, Melvin Monette, attended the Turtle Mountain Community College and Cankdeska Cikana Community College before graduating from the University of North Dakota.
While tribal colleges have similarities they offer different opportunities and programs. All accredited tribal colleges provide a high quality education while respecting and honoring American Indian and Alaska Native cultures. They benefit the American Indian and Alaska Native communities by providing outreach as well as economic support to the surrounding reservation and land where the school is located. Students are ready to go out into the community and give back and enrich tribal communities.
Overall, tribal colleges provide critical opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native peoples and their communities. They help make higher education a realization for many American Indian and Alaska Natives while allowing them to not give up or forget their culture or where they came from. In an effort to help mitigate inequities, these higher institutions empower students and American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Accessibility, holistic support, and promotion of indigenous knowledge allow students to achieve their academic goals.
