American Indian and Native American Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the rich and diverse experiences of Indigenous peoples across the Americas through a multidisciplinary academic lens. This program examines the historical development, social structures, political systems, cultural expressions, and economic realities of Native communities from pre-colonial eras to the present day, with a primary focus on populations in the United States and Canada while also acknowledging broader regional contexts.
- Indigenous Histories: Investigate the pre-contact civilizations, colonial encounters, and long-term impacts of settlement and displacement across North and Central America.
- Political Systems and Sovereignty: Analyze the legal frameworks, tribal governance, federal policies, and ongoing struggles for self-determination among Native nations.
- Cultural Expressions and Traditions: Study oral traditions, language revitalization, ceremonial practices, art forms, and the role of storytelling in preserving identity and knowledge.
- Sociological Perspectives: Examine community structures, kinship systems, migration patterns, and the social dynamics shaping Indigenous life in contemporary settings.
- Economic Development and Challenges: Explore traditional economies, resource management, land rights, and modern economic initiatives within and beyond reservation boundaries.
- Comparative Regional Studies: Engage with the experiences of Indigenous groups in the Caribbean and Latin America, highlighting both shared histories and distinct trajectories.
American Indian and Native American Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
American Indian and Native American Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with American Indian and Native American Studies degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
American Indian and Native American Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,920 in Florida to $113,070 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Vermont, and Kansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 11,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for American Indian and Native American Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 86 institutions offering American Indian and Native American Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in American Indian and Native American Studies is found at Oglala Lakota College (OLC) (53 graduates), Windward Community College (WCC) (38 graduates), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (25 graduates), University of Hawaii (UHM), Manoa (24 graduates), and Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 560 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota College (OLC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Kyle, South Dakota | Public | olc.edu |
| Windward Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
38 | Kaneohe, Hawaii | Public | windward.hawaii.edu |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
Master's
|
25 | Durant, Oklahoma | Public | se.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
22 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | haskell.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHH) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Hilo, Hawaii | Public | hilo.hawaii.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
18 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
10 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Fort Lewis College (FLC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Durango, Colorado | Public | fortlewis.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Morris, Minnesota | Public | morris.umn.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Dine College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
6 | Tsaile, Arizona | Public | dinecollege.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Hawaii |
Associate's
|
6 | Kahului, Hawaii | Public | maui.hawaii.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Other Award
|
6 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Northwest Indian College (NWIC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | nwic.edu |
| Hawaii Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Hilo, Hawaii | Public | hawaii.hawaii.edu |
| Tohono O'odham Community College (TOCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Sells, Arizona | Public | tocc.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Other Award
|
5 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Associate's
|
4 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Kapiolani Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | kapiolani.hawaii.edu |
| Kauai Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Lihue, Hawaii | Public | kauai.hawaii.edu |
| Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
| Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Macy, Nebraska | Public | thenicc.edu |
| Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Fort Totten, North Dakota | Public | littlehoop.edu |
| Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Sisseton, South Dakota | Public | swcollege.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) |
Associate's
|
4 | Okmulgee, Oklahoma | Public | cmn.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Leeward Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pearl City, Hawaii | Public | leeward.hawaii.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Fort Peck Community College (FPCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Poplar, Montana | Public | fpcc.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| Sitting Bull College |
Associate's
|
2 | Fort Yates, North Dakota | Public | sittingbull.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Brimley, Michigan | Public | bmcc.edu |
| Leech Lake Tribal College (LLTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Cass Lake, Minnesota | Public | lltc.edu |
| Ilisagvik College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Barrow, Alaska | Public | ilisagvik.edu |
| Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (SCTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | sagchip.edu |
| Alaska Pacific University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Anchorage, Alaska | Private | alaskapacific.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Harlem, Montana | Public | ancollege.edu |
| Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA) |
Associate's
|
1 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | iaia.edu |
| San Juan College (SJC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Farmington, New Mexico | Public | sanjuancollege.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | New Town, North Dakota | Public | nhsc.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Black Hills State University (BHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Spearfish, South Dakota | Public | bhsu.edu |
| Sinte Gleska University (SGU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Mission, South Dakota | Public | sintegleska.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
| Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Winnebago, Nebraska | Public | littlepriest.edu |
| Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Baraga, Michigan | Public | kbocc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about American Indian and Native American Studies programs
How much can I earn with a American Indian and Native American Studies degree?
Salaries for American Indian and Native American Studies graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,070 compared to $61,920 in Florida. Approximately 11,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest American Indian and Native American Studies programs?
Currently 86 accredited institutions offer American Indian and Native American Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Oglala Lakota College (OLC) (53 graduates), Windward Community College (WCC) (38 graduates), and Southeastern Oklahoma State University (25 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in American Indian and Native American Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 336 in 2010 to 560 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a American Indian and Native American Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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