Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College: $3,870 Tuition

$3,870Tuition

139Students

17%Grad Rate (6-yr)

#20 in North DakotaPublic4-yearData: 2023-24

About Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College serves the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation with programs rooted in Native American culture and community needs. The tribal college enrolls just 139 students in a rural setting that emphasizes close-knit learning and cultural preservation. Students work directly with faculty through a 6:1 student-faculty ratio that enables personalized attention. The college focuses on preparing graduates to serve their communities while maintaining connections to traditional knowledge and values.

Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,177 after aid, making higher education accessible to tribal members. Even families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay only $2,594 net price. The college charges the same $3,870 tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve first-generation and low-income learners.

Women make up nearly 65% of the student body, which is 8% white and draws 61% of students from North Dakota. The 17% six-year graduation rate reflects the unique challenges many tribal college students face, including family responsibilities and economic pressures that often require stopping out. The Storm nickname represents the college's resilience in serving a community that values both education and cultural continuity.

Academics & Faculty

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College serves the Three Affiliated Tribes with culturally grounded education that connects traditional knowledge to modern careers. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally and can provide intensive mentoring. Academic programs focus on Native American studies, natural resources, and community development that address reservation needs. The college offers associate and bachelor's degrees in fields like environmental science and business administration. The 17% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many tribal college students face, including family responsibilities and economic pressures. Faculty understand these realities and work flexibly with students who often balance education with cultural obligations and community roles.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 96.7%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 11.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 17.1%
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

The 139-student campus sits in New Town, North Dakota, about 150 miles northwest of Bismarck on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, so heavy coats are essential from November through March. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name and cultural background matters deeply here.

Women make up 64.75% of students, creating a collaborative atmosphere where traditional knowledge and academic learning blend naturally. Most students commute from nearby reservation communities, though the small size means everyone gathers in common areas between classes. Weekends often center around cultural events, powwows, and community service projects that connect students to the Three Affiliated Tribes' heritage. The Storm teams compete in intramural sports, but social life revolves more around clan gatherings and language preservation activities. Students frequently participate in traditional ceremonies and work on projects that benefit their home communities. The rural setting means the nearest major shopping or entertainment is hours away, so campus becomes a tight-knit family where Indigenous traditions guide daily interactions.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1973

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 3°–22°F
July Avg: 55°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 17.9"
Annual Snowfall: 34.8"

Student Demographics

This tribal college draws students primarily from North Dakota's Three Affiliated Tribes and surrounding communities. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong interest in the college's education and social work programs that serve tribal communities. The overwhelmingly Native American enrollment connects directly to the school's mission of preserving Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara culture while providing culturally relevant higher education. About one in three students receives Pell Grants, typical for tribal colleges that serve rural Native communities where traditional economic opportunities remain limited.

Men: 35.3%
Women: 64.8%
White: 7.9%
Black: 1.4%
Hispanic: 5.8%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 61.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 30.8%

Location

New Town, North Dakota sits on the shores of Lake Sakakawea, about 150 miles northwest of Bismarck. The town of roughly 2,300 residents lies within the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in the heart of North Dakota's oil-rich Bakken region. With 61% of students coming from in-state, many are connected to the Three Affiliated Tribes the college serves. The remote prairie setting offers wide open spaces and a strong sense of tribal community, though the nearest major shopping or entertainment requires a significant drive. The 139 enrolled students experience true small-town life where everyone knows each other. Students considering colleges in North Dakota may also compare Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College with similar schools in the region.

Address: New Town, North Dakota 58763

After College

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College?

The college serves 139 students as a tribal institution primarily focused on the Three Affiliated Tribes community. As a specialized tribal college founded in 1973, admission is designed to support Native American students and their educational goals.

How much does Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $3,669, making it highly affordable for most families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,177 after aid, while those from higher-income families still benefit from the low $3,870 base tuition rate.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College?

The 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures extremely personalized attention in this small academic environment. This intimate setting supports the college's mission to provide culturally relevant education focused on Native American traditions and community needs.

What are the graduation rates at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College?

The six-year graduation rate is 17.10%, with an 11.11% four-year completion rate. These outcomes reflect the unique challenges many tribal college students face, including balancing education with family and community responsibilities.

Where is Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in New Town, North Dakota, in a rural-remote setting that connects students directly to their tribal homeland. With 64.75% women and a strong focus on serving the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Storm athletics teams represent a tight-knit community atmosphere.

What makes Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College unique as a tribal institution?

Only 7.91% of students are white, reflecting its core mission to serve Native American communities with culturally centered programs. The college specifically focuses on the educational needs of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes, integrating traditional knowledge with modern academic offerings.