2026 Best Value Native American Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[Native American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/native-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
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 United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in native american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Native American Studies Schools
Southeastern Oklahoma State University tops our 2026 list of the best value native american studies schools in the United States. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the native american studies program here. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $62,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #2 makes Oglala Lakota College one of the best values for native american studies. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in native american studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in native american studies, landing the #4 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $34,559. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $45,247. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #6 spot for native american studies value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the native american studies program here. 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.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for native american studies value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, native american studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Other Native American Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Native American Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Native American Studies Rankings >
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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.