15 Top-Ranked Colleges for Native American/Alaska Native Master’s Students

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 18%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 65%
• Institution type: Public

Topping our list is Northeastern State University, a university with its main campus in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. NSU is home to one the most active Native American student populations, with six university-recognized student organizations specifically for Native students active on campus: the Native American Student Association, American Indian Business Leaders, American Indian Science & Engineering Society, two fraternities, and one sorority.

Additional programs include the Native American Support Center (featuring a full range of services such as academic tutoring, peer mentoring, and academic, community, and cultural workshops), the Center for Tribal Studies, the American Indian Resource Center, the American Indian Graduate Center, and much more.

NSU currently offers 25 master’s degree programs throughout its campus system, including 16 that can be completed either fully or partially online. The current in-state tuition cost (tuition and fees) for most graduate programs is $320.57 per credit. You’ll find an abundant number of financial aid opportunities available for Native American students at NSU, including tons of valuable scholarships and internships.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 29%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 42%
• Institution type: Public

Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado is another standout option for Native American and Alaska Native Students. FLC is a top leader in providing academic, financial aid, and other support services to its Native American student population.

The Native American Center acts as the hub of services and activities for the school’s Native American students. Center services and events include academic counseling, a Native American & Indigenous Studies program, the Cultural Kitchen, and the Native Skyway to Success Program, in which students engage with faculty and staff to navigate campus resources and build academic skills. Registered student organizations include, among others, chapters of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, American Indigenous Business Leaders, and Indigenous Society of Psychologists.

You’ll find five Master of Arts in Education programs offered at FLU, including several available in online and hybrid formats. The current per-credit tuition rate (not including fees) is $405. Financial support for Native American graduate students is available in the form of a wide variety of in-house and external scholarships and grants, as well as through the Native American Tuition Waiver program.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 8%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 85%
• Institution type: Public

Located in the south central part of the state, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is another noteworthy option due to its abundance quality programs, organizations, and support services focused on Native American and Alaska Native students, including the American Indian Heritage Center. Programs and events of note include the American Indian Studies program, the American Indian Career Network program, and the annual BraveNation Powwow and Gathering. UNC Pembroke additionally sponsors six American Indian student organizations.

You’ll find more than 40 master’s programs available at UNC Pembroke, including 14 offered in fully online or hybrid formats. Current per-credit tuition rates (not including fees) for master’s students are $237.78 for North Carolina residents and $963.28 for out-of-state residents. Financial aid opportunities for Native American and Alaska Native graduate students include a wide variety of in-house and external scholarships and grants.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 5%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 92%
• Institution type: Public

The University of Oklahoma’s main campus in Norman is another major university featuring an exceptionally high Native American/Alaska Native student graduation rate. A great place to start your exploration of Native American support services at OU is on its Native Nations website, where you can access information and links to a full range of academic programs (tutoring, mentoring, writing, and other services), activities, and events.

Of particular note are the Native Nations Center — a research and policy institute within OU’s Office of Tribal Relations — and the American Indian Institute, which provides outreach services and collaborative partnerships with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Canadian First Nation bands and Tribes.

The school offers more than 40 master’s degrees that can be completed either entirely or partially online. Tuition rates vary by specific program, but most online master’s programs currently charge a per-credit rate between $685 and $985. OU offers both scholarship and fellowship programs specifically for its Native American Studies students. Contact OU’s Student Financial Center for information on other funding opportunities for Native American and Alaska Native grad students.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 3%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 93%
• Institution type: Public

Oklahoma State University bills itself as the “most successful land-grant institution in the nation for Native American students.” This appears to be borne out by OSU’s impressive 93% Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate as well as by the school’s extensive array of programs and support services for Native American students.

OSU has the Native American Student Association and several special interest groups and registered student organizations. Especially noteworthy is OSU’s Center for Sovereign Nations, which offers a number of student support services of its own including information on in-house scholarships and grants, Tribal scholarships, and other funding resources.

OSU is home to nearly 140 master’s degree programs covering practically all academic fields, including 38 fully or partially online programs. Current tuition costs (tuition and fees) for most online master’s programs at OSU are $489 for Oklahoma residents and $530 for out-of-state residents.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 7%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 36%
• Institution type: Public

Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, offers a number of valuable programs and services focused on the success of its Native American students, most of which can be accessed through SOSU’s Native American Institute. Examples of programs include academic counseling services and sponsorship of the biennial Native American Symposium.

SOSU offers several fully online Native American-centered master’s degree programs including an MBA, an MS in Sports Administration, and an MS in Leadership that can be taken with a general curriculum or with a specialization option in either Education or Information Systems. In total, SOSU offers nearly 50 online master’s degree programs, most of which can be completed 100% online.

Tuition rates for online master’s programs range from $318 to $413 per credit. Out-of-state online students pay the same rates as Oklahoma residents. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for information on in-house and Tribal scholarship opportunities, grants, loans, and other funding resources.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 15%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 17%
• Institution type: Public

East Central University is another quality Oklahoma university featuring a variety of programs and services supporting the success of its Native American student population. Native American Academic Services is the hub through which many of these support programs are accessed, including enrollment and academic counseling, Tribal and Native American scholarship assistance, on-campus and community resource referrals, and cultural learning opportunities. Other notable resources:

• The Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) REACHE Program provides a variety of services such as research internships, faculty mentoring, field related employment opportunities, etc.
• The Hays Native American Study Center operates as a meeting place for the Native American Student Association as well as a classroom for joint courses on language and culture with the Chickasaw Nation.

ECU offers six online master’s degrees, all of which are delivered 100% online. Current per-credit tuition rates for online master’s programs are $377.80 for Oklahoma residents and $713.80 for out-of-state residents. Non-resident tuition waivers are available for qualifying students. Along with the Native American and Tribal scholarships mentioned above, Native American and Alaska Native students are encouraged to contact the ECU Office of Financial Aid to learn about available scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding resources.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 3%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 33%
• Institution type: Public

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff is home to an impressive number of programs, services, events, and other activities specifically geared toward its Native American student population. The logical point of entry into these programs is through the Office of Native American Initiatives (ONAI).

The Native American Cultural Center (NACC) is the ONAI’s student hub, where students can study, access academic support services, attend cultural events, and socialize. The center is also home to the NACC Elders Program, designed to enrich and support the educational experience of Indigenous students. Other ONAI program examples include the Institute for Native-Serving Educators, the Tribal Leadership Initiative, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals.

NAU currently offers over 120 master’s degree programs, 66 of which can be completed either entirely or partially online. The tuition rate (not including fees) for online master’s programs is $635 per credit for both Arizona and out-of-state residents. Indigenous grad students may be eligible for a variety of academic funding support resources including in-house, external, and Tribal scholarships, grants, and more.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 13%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 21%
• Institution type: Public

The University of Alaska Fairbanks bills itself as a “premier global destination for Alaska Native and Indigenous students.” In support of that claim, UAF offers an abundance of student-focused academic, financial, social, and cultural programs and activities through its Alaska Native and Indigenous programs.

A major resource for Indigenous students at UAF is the Rural Student Services program, which offers a range of support including tutoring, academic and funding counseling, and monthly social events. UAF is also home to over a dozen Indigenous student organizations and clubs such as the Alaska Native Education Student Association, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, Alaska Native Social Workers Association, Native Alaskan Business Leaders, and the Native Student Union.

UAF currently offers 49 master’s degree programs, including eight that can be completed fully or partially online. The current per-credit tuition rate for all online master’s programs is $539 for both in-state and out-of-state residents. For information on financial aid opportunities for graduate students (scholarships, grants, assistantships, and more), contact the Graduate School & Interdisciplinary Studies department.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 2%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 26%
• Institution type: Public

As the flagship campus of the state’s system of public colleges and universities, it’s no surprise that the University of Arizona is home to the largest offering of master’s degree programs — over 150 — of any college or university in the state. Included are 43 master’s programs available either fully or partially online. Tuition rates vary widely ($500 to $1,332 per credit) and depend on the specific degree program. However, out-of-state residents pay the same tuition rates for their online master’s programs as Arizona residents. Qualifying online Native American master’s students are eligible for the same full range of financial aid resources as all other students as well as for funding opportunities exclusively for them, including scholarships, fellowships, internships, and more.

UA’s excellent Native American Student Affairs (NASA) website provides a comprehensive look at the university’s abundant resources aimed at supporting its Native American student population. Visitors to the site can access information and links to NASA programs and events, UA student clubs and organizations, and other on-campus and off-campus community resources.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 4%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 9%
• Institution type: Public

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest campus of any college or university in the state. UAA prides itself on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, including those belonging to the Alaska Native, Native American, and Indigenous communities. UAA’s Native Student Services is the hub for accessing a wide range of Native-related academic and cultural programs and events. Native student organizations on campus include the Native Student Council, Native Languages Club, and Traditional Games Club.

You’ll find seven online master’s degrees available at UAA. A few of these programs feature 100% online coursework, but most combine online and campus-based classes. Current per-credit tuition rates for on-campus courses are $513 for Alaska residents and $1,079 for non-Alaska residents. The tuition rate for online courses is $513 per credit regardless of residence status. A variety of financial aid resources (including those exclusively for Alaska Native and Native American students) are available to qualifying students.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 10%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 1%
• Institution type: Public

The University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau provides a number of quality programs and services in support of its Native American and Alaska Native students, starting with its Native and Rural Student Center (NRSC). The NRSC describes itself as a “home away from home” for Native students by offering an environment designed to celebrate cultural knowledge and traditions, support diversity, and provide academic support. UAS students can also participate in Wooch.Een, a registered student organization focused on developing a better understanding of Alaska Tribes and promoting awareness of Alaska cultural and social issues.

UAS currently offers several fully and partially online master’s programs in the fields of education and public administration. The current per-credit tuition rate for master’s courses are $513 for Alaska and Western Regional Graduate Program residents and $1,079 for non-residents. The full range of financial aid opportunities are available to Native UAS students including a number of education scholarships and grants specifically aimed at preparing Indigenous teachers and administrators.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 3%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 28%
• Institution type: Public

Through its Connected Campus department, UCO offers eight online master’s degrees, all featuring fully online formats. The current per-credit tuition costs (tuition and fees) for online master’s programs are $492.57 for Oklahoma residents and $909.57 for out-of-state residents. Qualifying Native American and Alaska Native master’s students are eligible for a full line of funding support resources, including scholarships and fellowships, tuition waivers, and more.

Two major campus resources for Native American students at UCO are the Native American Student Association (NASA) and the Inclusive Community Student Hub. Both offer a variety of cultural and academic support services such as tutoring, mentoring, academic and career counseling. They also sponsor on-campus inclusive activities and events like the annual Native American Heritage Month celebration.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 1%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 29%
• Institution type: Public

Utah State University in Logan offers a variety of programs designed to support inclusion and academic success for its Native American student population. A good place to start your exploration of these programs is with USU’s Native American Cultural Center (NACC), which sponsors programs like the Native American Student Council, representing Native American students and creating an inclusive environment for non-Native students to experience Native American cultures.

Utah State currently offers nearly 100 master’s degree programs, 20 of which are available in 100% online formats. Tuition rates for online master’s programs vary from program to program. However, all online students are charged the same program rate regardless of their state residency status. Several scholarships and financial aid resources are available exclusively for USU Native American students.

• Native American/Alaska Native graduate student population: 11%
• Native American/Alaska Native graduation rate: 5%
• Institution type: Public

As an emerging Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution and home to the Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations, New Mexico Highlands University in northcentral New Mexico is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion on all of its campuses. NMHU’s Native American Center (NAC) operates as a clearinghouse for information and access to the school’s many support services for its Native American students, including academic tutoring and peer mentoring, financial aid assistance, help in finding childcare services, and much more.   

You’ll find seven online master’s degree programs currently offered by NMHU, several of which feature 100% online coursework. All online master’s programs charge $525 per credit, except the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner Program, which is $625 per credit. The NAC website offers information and links to a number of Native American scholarship opportunities. For information on other funding resources, contact NMHU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.