2026 Best Value Native American Studies Schools

1

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #1 spot for value among native american studies schools in the United States. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $62,250. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

2

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #3 makes Haskell Indian Nations University one of the best values for native american studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Native American Studies graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $23,887 early in their careers. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oglala Lakota College earned it the #4 place for native american studies. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.

5

Windward Community College
Kaneohe, HI

Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at Windward Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,194, with out-of-state students paying around $8,330. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $10,930. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $32,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #6 for value in native american studies this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $22,615. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $48,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

8

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #8 spot for native american studies value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College earned the #9 position for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #10 among the best values for native american studies. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $17,875. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $31,001. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University earned the #11 position for value in native american studies this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,533 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $30,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,533 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $15,056. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $31,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

13

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #13 among the best values for native american studies. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $32,441 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #14 among the best values for native american studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,719. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #15 for value in native american studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

16

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #16 for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $20,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among the best values for native american studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $15,000. Native American Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $37,581 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #18 position for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $31,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #19 for value in native american studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #20 for value in native american studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $24,619. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

21

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #21 for value in native american studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $32,563. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

23

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #23 position for value in native american studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $27,857. Native American Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #24 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,841 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

25

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #25 spot for native american studies value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $25,219 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $26,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.