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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.
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.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Native American Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in native american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Native American Studies Schools
Leading the list is Windward Community College, our #1 best value for native american studies in the Far Western Region. Windward Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kaneohe. Students from in state pay about $3,194 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,930 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Windward Community College generally make around $32,654. That is a strong return on a $10,930 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for native american studies. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $17,527. Native American Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Hawaii At Hilo one of the best values for native american studies. Set in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $48,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,615 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Humboldt State University placed #6 among the best values for native american studies. 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, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $30,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #7 for value in native american studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $32,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #9 among the best values for native american studies. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $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 California Riverside came in at #10 for value in native american studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $31,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $37,581. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best values for native american studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis earned the #13 position for value in native american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $14,155. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $32,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #14 position for value in native american studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Southern Oregon University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $24,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.