by our College Data Analytics TeamNative American Studies was the 585th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 527 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 20.1% increase in American Indian studies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 421.
Our 2023 Best Native American Studies Schools ranking analyzes 17 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for Native American studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of American Indian studies programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in History - American History
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.
MA in History - American History
Understand the impact of major political, cultural, social and economic shifts in American society with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is a required skill for American Indian studies majors. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and teaching others how to do something.
Native American studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic Native American studies program qualifications, to serve in some American Indian studies careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of American Indian studies degrees. Native American Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest American Indian studies degree you can get. Depending on the Native American studies degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to American Indian studies, with approximately 60.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for American Indian studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 61.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 31.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 3.3% |
| First Professional Degree | 1.1% |
About 64.5% of workers in careers related to American Indian studies obtain at least doctor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in Native American studies careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the American Indian studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your American Indian studies degree? Native American Studies careers are expected to grow 10.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to Native American studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | 12,700 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for American Indian studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for Native American studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers American Indian studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | $85,450 |
With over 166 different American Indian studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased American Indian studies school rankings to help you with this.
Native American Studies is one of 11 different types of Ethnic Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Women’s Studies | 2,868 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, & Group Studies, Other | 2,142 |
| African American Studies | 1,196 |
| Latino Studies | 883 |
| Ethnic Studies | 673 |
