by our College Data Analytics Team
[Native American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/native-american-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for native american studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in native american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Phoenix College, our #1 best value for native american studies in Arizona. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the native american studies program here. Early-career native american studies graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in native american studies will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Native American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Native American Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for native american studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for native american studies graduates is $23,000. Native American Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $40,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in native american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,219 to complete the native american studies program here. Native American Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.