Navajo Technical University: $4,250 Tuition

$4,250Tuition

1,134Students

20%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$26,364Earnings

Public4-yearNAIAData: 2023-24

About Navajo Technical University

Navajo Technical University trains students for careers in engineering, construction, and other technical fields while preserving Diné culture and language. The tribal college serves 1,134 students on its rural campus in northwestern New Mexico. NTU focuses on hands-on programs that prepare graduates for immediate employment in sectors critical to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized instruction in specialized technical programs.

Students pay an average net price of $3,307 annually, making this one of the most affordable higher education options in the region. The same low tuition rate of $4,250 applies to both in-state and out-of-state students. Graduates earn a median salary of $26,364 ten years after enrollment. While earnings are modest, the combination of very low costs and strong employment prospects creates a pathway to stable careers without crushing debt.

The student body is predominantly Native American, creating a supportive cultural environment that many students find nowhere else. Women make up 61.64% of enrollment, reflecting strong participation in technical fields traditionally dominated by men. The Skyhawks compete in 10 NAIA sports with just 33 total athletes, emphasizing academics over athletics while still offering team opportunities.

Academics & Faculty

The Navajo Nation's only technical university specializes in career-focused programs that blend traditional knowledge with modern skills. Students can study everything from renewable energy and construction technology to veterinary science and culinary arts. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally and provide intensive mentoring. However, the 14% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many Native students face balancing education with family responsibilities and economic pressures. The university emphasizes hands-on learning through partnerships with tribal enterprises and government agencies. Programs in environmental science and natural resources management prepare graduates to address issues affecting Native lands and communities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 14.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 19.7%
Retention Rate: 86.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $26,364
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

Students at this tribal college navigate life in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico, where winter temperatures drop below freezing and summer days reach into the 90s. Crownpoint sits roughly 100 miles from Albuquerque, making it one of the more isolated college campuses in the Southwest. Only 203 students can live on campus, meaning about 18% of the 1,134 enrolled students stay in dorms while most commute from surrounding Navajo communities.

The 9:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know students by name. Campus life centers around technical labs, traditional Navajo cultural events, and the 33 Skyhawks athletes competing in 10 NAIA sports. Weekends often involve trips to nearby trading posts, hiking in the high desert terrain, or participating in community gatherings that blend college social life with Navajo traditions. The rural setting means students create their own entertainment, fostering tight-knit relationships that reflect the college's mission of serving the Navajo Nation while preserving cultural identity.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 203 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1979

Campus Safety (2023)

6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Domestic Violence	3	3	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 11°–41°F
July Avg: 53°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 10.6"
Annual Snowfall: -756.1"

Student Demographics

This tribal college draws students primarily from the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, with about half coming from within New Mexico. The student body is 62% women, reflecting strong female participation in the school's health sciences and business programs. Nearly half of all students receive Pell Grants, showing the university serves families with significant financial need. The demographics reflect the school's mission as a Navajo Nation institution focused on providing accessible technical education to Native American students who want to develop skills while staying connected to their cultural roots.

Men: 38.4%
Women: 61.6%
White: 0.4%
Black: 0.8%
Hispanic: 1.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 53.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 49.0%

Location

Crownpoint sits in northwestern New Mexico, about 130 miles northwest of Albuquerque. The campus operates in high desert country on the Navajo Nation, where red rock mesas stretch toward distant mountains. This remote setting reflects in the school's 53.16% in-state enrollment, drawing heavily from local Navajo communities. The nearest town of any size is Gallup, roughly 60 miles south along Highway 491. Students experience true rural isolation here, with wide open spaces and traditional Navajo culture defining daily life. The high desert climate brings hot summers and cold winters to this sparsely populated region. Students considering colleges in New Mexico may also compare Navajo Technical University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Crownpoint, New Mexico 87313-0849

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $26,364
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $16,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Navajo Technical University?

Navajo Technical University maintains an open enrollment policy with an 86.36% retention rate for first-year students. The tribal college prioritizes serving the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities with accessible technical education. Students benefit from small class sizes with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

How much does Navajo Technical University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,307 annually, with tuition set at $4,250 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Nearly half of students (49.02%) receive Pell Grants, making this tribal college one of the most affordable options in the region. Total cost of attendance including room and board reaches $14,922.

What is Navajo Technical University known for academically?

The university specializes in technical and vocational programs designed to meet workforce needs in the Southwest. Students work closely with faculty in small classes averaging 9 students per instructor. The college emphasizes hands-on training and culturally relevant education rooted in Navajo traditions.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Navajo Technical University?

The four-year graduation rate stands at 14.02%, while the six-year rate reaches 19.70%. Graduates achieve an 82.2% employment rate with median earnings of $26,364 ten years after graduation. The college focuses on preparing students for technical careers that serve tribal communities.

Where is Navajo Technical University located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in rural Crownpoint, New Mexico, serving 1,134 students in a remote setting on Navajo Nation land. On-campus housing accommodates 203 students, creating a close-knit community atmosphere. The Skyhawks compete in 10 NAIA sports with 33 total athletes representing the university.

What makes Navajo Technical University unique as a tribal college?

Founded in 1979, the university serves as one of the nation's tribal colleges with a student body that reflects the Navajo Nation's demographics. Women comprise 61.64% of enrollment, while the college maintains its mission of preserving Navajo culture through education. The institution bridges traditional knowledge with modern technical training for sustainable community development.