2026 Best Value Native American Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[Native American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/native-american-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for native american studies students.
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Featured Native American Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Learn to evaluate and discuss the topics and events that made an impact on America's history with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Native American Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in native american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Native American Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Southeastern Oklahoma State University the best value for a degree in native american studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #2 place for native american studies. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for native american studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #5 place for native american studies. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $25,219. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $26,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #6 for value in native american studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,186 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,186 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for native american studies. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $38,260. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #8 for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $37,046. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.