Discover Native American Colleges That Honor Identity and Culture
Finding the right college is about more than academics; in fact, it’s about identity, belonging, and support. Therefore, our CollegeBound Journey® College Search Tool assists students, families, and educators in exploring colleges that align with Native values.
Whether you’re just beginning your search or supporting a student as an advisor or parent, this tool is designed to make culturally aligned college planning easier and more meaningful.
Current College Going Trends and Native American Students...
24%
of 18–24-year-old Native American students are enrolled in college compared to 41% of the overall U.S. population (Postsecondary National Policy Institute).
14.5%
of the American Indian and Alaska Native population earned a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 31.3% of the overall population (Census Bureau).
51%
of Native students had an expected family contribution – the amount of money the government deemed they had to pay for college – at $0 (NPR).
More Than a Degree—A Place to Belong
For many Native students, choosing a college is about more than academics. Instead, it’s about finding a place that respects their culture, supports their goals, and honors who they are. As a result, the search often includes colleges that offer Native student programs, cultural connections, and a true sense of belonging.
Helping Students Find Supportive Native American Colleges
The CollegeBound Journey® College Search Tool is built to complement your work as a school counselor, Indian Education advocate, or college advisor. Moreover, it provides culturally aligned options that help Native students feel seen and supported in their postsecondary planning.
Finding the Right Native American College as a Family
Families play a powerful role in helping Native youth select colleges. Native students often feel disconnected on mainstream campuses. However, Native-serving colleges provide cultural programs, support services, and a sense of community—elements that make all the difference.
Specifically, our CollegeBound Journey® College Search Tool identifies schools that feel like home, including:
- Native Teacher Prep Programs
- Over 70 Native-Specific Majors/Programs of Study
- Native Student Support Center Identification
- Indigenous Language Course Offerings
- Summer Bridge Programs for Native Students
- Clubs and Organizations for Native Students
- Elder in Residence Programs and Peer Mentor/Kinship Programs
- Colleges with Tuition Waivers for Native students
Personalized Filters. Meaningful Results.
To begin your search, sort colleges based on what matters most—Tribal affiliation, Native student services, scholarship opportunities, and cultural academic opportunities, including Indigenous languages.
Featured Blog: Native American College Programs That Support Cultural Identity
Want to better understand what to look for in a Native-supportive campus? If so, our blog article highlights five standout programs and what makes them culturally responsive.
Explore More: Videos, FAQs, and Helpful Resources
Check out on how a college search is completed within CollegeBound Journey®
FAQs
A Native American culturally supportive college is typically one that either identifies as a Tribal College or University (TCU) or has strong Native student support services, programs rooted in Indigenous values, and a commitment to cultural belonging and representation. Our tool helps you identify schools that offer these elements.
Importantly, the CollegeBound Journey® College Search Tool includes both Tribal Colleges and other schools that support Native students. As a result, users have access to a wide range of college types and cultural environments.
All of the colleges within the CollegeBound Journey® College Search Tool are located within the United States. Also, we have only included opportunities for the undergraduate level.
We regularly update college information throughout the year as new details become available. In particular, we conduct a full review of every college in our database between June and August to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Because colleges continuously adjust their programming and opportunities to meet evolving student needs, we make it a priority to provide the most current and accurate information possible. Therefore, we encourage users to refer to our Disclaimer page for clarification on data sources and update cycles.
Additionally, we welcome program updates and corrections—please visit our Contact page to submit notifications or edits.
Colleges are reviewed based on the four elements of our platform: Academic Opportunities, Campus Experiences, Cultural Support, and Financial Support. Our educational consultants have years of experience reviewing and visiting colleges to determine cultural fit.
Moreover, we do not accept sponsorship or monetary exchange from colleges or companies to be included on our list.
Yes! Early exposure to culturally aligned college options can help Native youth feel more connected to future opportunities. School counselors and families can use the tool to introduce the idea of higher education in a culturally grounded way.
Ready to Support Native Youth with Their Search?
Use the Native American College Search Tool to help students explore schools that value identity, culture, and community. Whether you’re guiding a class or working with your own child, this tool is here to support you.
