by our College Data Analytics Team
[Native American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/native-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value native american studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in native american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Haskell Indian Nations University tops our 2027 list of the best value native american studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $23,887. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #2 place for native american studies. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oglala Lakota College earned it the #3 place for native american studies. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,441. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for native american studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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 $29,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Francisco State University landed the #6 spot for native american studies value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot for native american studies value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $15,740. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $34,559. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Humboldt State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value native american studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,533 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $30,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value native american studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $10,492. Native American Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value native american studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $31,459. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for value in native american studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,563 early in their careers. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #13 position for value in native american studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $23,000. Native American Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $31,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego State University placed #15 among the best values for native american studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $29,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in native american studies this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the native american studies program here. 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. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #17 among the best values for native american studies. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. 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. Set against $23,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value native american studies schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $20,109. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #19 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. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $25,000. Native American Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $21,964. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $33,000. Set against $21,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $25,219. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,875 early in their careers. Set against $25,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in native american studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $19,750. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #23 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #24 spot for native american studies value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #25 for value in native american studies this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $37,046. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s native american studies value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Native American Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Native American Studies Rankings >This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.