Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College: $5,000 Tuition

$5,000Tuition

147Students

9%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$22,340Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

This tribal college preserves Ojibwe culture and language while providing practical education to a tight-knit community of 147 students. The school serves the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula, where students receive highly personalized attention with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio. Founded in 1975, the college emphasizes traditional knowledge alongside academic programs that prepare graduates for local careers and transfer opportunities.

Students pay remarkably little for their education here. The average net price after aid is just $529 annually, dropping to only $223 for families earning under $30,000. Graduates earn a median of $22,340 ten years after enrollment, making this one of the most affordable pathways to postsecondary education available. No students take federal loans, reflecting the institution's commitment to debt-free education.

The student body is predominantly female at nearly 80%, with strong representation from both Native American and white communities. All students come from Michigan, creating a close regional connection. The 9% six-year graduation rate reflects the college's role as a stepping stone for many students who transfer to four-year institutions. About half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college's mission to serve first-generation and low-income learners.

Academics & Faculty

This tribal college offers certificate and associate degree programs designed to serve the educational needs of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and rural Upper Peninsula residents. With only 147 students enrolled, the 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes. The college focuses on culturally relevant education that incorporates Ojibwa traditions and language into its curriculum. However, the 9.10% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face, including financial pressures and family obligations common in rural communities. Programs emphasize practical skills for local employment, including natural resources management and general education courses that prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 9.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $22,340
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

This tribal college sits in Michigan's remote Upper Peninsula, where winter temperatures regularly drop below zero and snow blankets the ground for months. You'll need heavy winter gear for the long, harsh seasons that define life here. With just 147 students and an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, everyone knows each other on this intimate campus. The college serves the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, creating a tight-knit environment where Indigenous culture and traditions shape daily life.

Students here are predominantly women, making up nearly 80% of enrollment, and all come from Michigan. The rural setting means the nearest major city is hours away, making campus the center of social life. Weekend activities often connect to the surrounding natural landscape and tribal community events. With over half of students receiving financial aid and an average net price of just $529, affordability brings together students who might otherwise struggle to access higher education. The small size means limited campus housing options, so most students commute from the surrounding area.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1975

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 6°–19°F
July Avg: 53°–74°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.3"
Annual Snowfall: 207.8"

Student Demographics

This tribal college draws students exclusively from Michigan, reflecting its mission to serve the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and surrounding Upper Peninsula residents. Women make up nearly 80% of the student body, typical for community colleges offering health, education, and social services programs. The college serves a diverse mix of Native American and white students from the region. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to making education accessible to lower-income families. With just 147 students total, everyone knows each other on this small campus.

Men: 20.4%
Women: 79.6%
White: 38.8%
Black: 0.7%
Hispanic: 1.4%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 51.7%

Location

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College sits in Baraga, Michigan, roughly 400 miles from Detroit and about 60 miles from Marquette, the largest city in the Upper Peninsula. The campus serves Michigan's remote northern wilderness, where Lake Superior's shoreline meets dense forests. This tribal college operates in one of America's most sparsely populated regions, where traditional Ojibwa culture intersects with outdoor recreation and natural resource industries. The school draws 100% of its 147 students from in-state. Baraga County has fewer than 9,000 residents total. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, and the area receives heavy snowfall from lake-effect storms. Students considering colleges in Michigan may also compare Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Baraga, Michigan 49908-0000

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $22,340

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College?

The college maintains an open admission policy with 147 students enrolled. This tribal community college primarily serves the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and welcomes students from the surrounding Upper Peninsula region.

How much does Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of just $529 after aid, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying only $223. Both in-state and out-of-state tuition is set at $5,000, though all current students are Michigan residents.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College?

The college maintains a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, providing personalized attention in small classes. This intimate learning environment reflects the institution's commitment to supporting students within the tribal community college tradition.

What are the graduation rates and career outcomes at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College?

The six-year graduation rate is 9.10%, with graduates earning a median of $22,340 ten years after enrollment. As a two-year tribal college founded in 1975, the school focuses on providing educational opportunities and cultural preservation for Native American students in rural Michigan.

Where is Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Baraga, Michigan, in a rural-remote setting in the Upper Peninsula. With 79.59% female enrollment and a tight-knit community of 147 students, the campus offers a supportive environment deeply connected to Ojibwa culture and traditions.

How does Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College serve its tribal community?

As one of the nation's tribal colleges, 51.66% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve economically diverse Native American students. The institution operates on a semester system and focuses on preserving indigenous knowledge while providing practical education for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.