Aaniiih Nakoda College: $3,600 Tuition

$3,600Tuition

108Students

32%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$30,528Earnings

#14 in MontanaPublic4-yearData: 2023-24

About Aaniiih Nakoda College

Aaniiih Nakoda College serves the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation with education deeply rooted in Native American culture and traditions. This tribal college maintains a tight-knit community of just 108 students in rural Montana. The college provides culturally relevant programming that honors the heritage of the Aaniiih and Nakoda peoples while preparing students for modern careers.

Students pay an average net price of $11,811 after financial aid, regardless of whether they're from Montana or elsewhere since tuition runs $3,600 for everyone. More than half of students receive some form of financial assistance. Graduates earn a median of $30,528 ten years after starting college, though early career earnings average just $17,600 after six years. The investment pays off slowly but provides valuable cultural grounding that larger institutions cannot offer.

The student body is 94% Native American, creating an environment where Indigenous perspectives shape every aspect of campus life. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know every student personally. About 30% of students graduate within four years, reflecting both the challenges many tribal college students face and the college's commitment to supporting them through completion. All students come from Montana, reinforcing the college's mission to serve its local community.

Academics & Faculty

Aaniiih Nakoda College serves as a tribal college rooted deeply in Native American culture and traditions. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally in this intimate academic environment. Only 31% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing education with family and work responsibilities common in rural reservation communities. The college focuses on culturally relevant education that honors Gros Ventre and Assiniboine heritage while preparing students for modern careers. Academic programs emphasize both traditional knowledge and practical skills needed on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Students receive education that connects their cultural identity with academic achievement in small, supportive classrooms.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 66.7%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 30.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 32.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $30,528
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

The 108 students at this tribal college experience small-town Montana life on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, about 150 miles from Billings and 200 miles from Great Falls. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, everyone knows each other's name. Winter temperatures drop well below freezing, so heavy coats are essential from November through March.

The college emphasizes Native American traditions and serves the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. Cultural ceremonies and powwows mark important campus events throughout the year. With 100% of students coming from Montana, many commute from nearby communities rather than living on campus. The rural setting means weekend activities often center around family gatherings, traditional hunting and fishing, or trips to larger towns for shopping and entertainment. Students frequently participate in language preservation programs and cultural workshops alongside their academic studies. The tight-knit community creates strong bonds between classmates who often continue supporting each other long after graduation.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1984

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 6°–31°F
July Avg: 53°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 11.6"
Annual Snowfall: 19.8"

Student Demographics

Aaniiih Nakoda College draws exclusively from Montana, serving the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation community. The student body of 108 is overwhelmingly Native American, reflecting the college's mission as a tribal institution. More than half are women, which aligns with trends in Native American higher education where women often pursue degrees at higher rates. Over half receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves students from lower-income families. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where traditional Native knowledge combines with contemporary education.

Men: 46.3%
Women: 53.7%
White: 6.5%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 53.5%

Location

Aaniiih Nakoda College sits in Harlem, Montana, about 220 miles northeast of Billings, the state's largest city. The campus serves the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in north-central Montana's remote prairie landscape. With just 108 students enrolled, the college operates in one of the most sparsely populated regions of the country. The surrounding area features rolling grasslands and traditional ranching country, far from any major metropolitan areas. Harlem itself has fewer than 900 residents. The nearest significant town is Havre, roughly 30 miles away. This isolation creates an intimate academic environment where Native American cultural traditions remain central to daily life. Students considering colleges in Montana may also compare Aaniiih Nakoda College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Harlem, Montana 59526

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $30,528
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $17,600

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the enrollment size at Aaniiih Nakoda College?

Aaniiih Nakoda College enrolls just 108 students, making it one of the smallest colleges in Montana. This intimate size allows for close relationships between students and faculty on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

How much does Aaniiih Nakoda College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $11,811 annually, with tuition set at $3,600 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Over half of students (53.46%) receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's commitment to serving low-income Native American communities.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Aaniiih Nakoda College?

The college maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in every classroom. This tribal college emphasizes education rooted in Native American culture and traditions alongside academic instruction.

What are the graduation rates at Aaniiih Nakoda College?

The four-year graduation rate stands at 30.64%, with a six-year rate of 32.40%. These rates reflect the unique challenges faced by students on remote reservations while the college works to preserve tribal knowledge and provide career pathways.

Where is Aaniiih Nakoda College located?

The college sits in Harlem, Montana, in a rural-remote setting on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. All students (100%) come from in-state, primarily serving the local Aaniiih and Nakoda tribal communities.

Does Aaniiih Nakoda College serve a diverse student population?

The student body is 53.70% women and reflects the college's mission as a tribal institution, with only 6.48% of students identifying as white. Founded in 1984, the college specifically serves Native American students seeking higher education while staying connected to their cultural heritage.