What to Look for in the Best Colleges for Indigenous Students
You deserve to get your degree and start your career at a school that values your cultural history and identity. Knowing how to spot colleges that empower Native American students is the first step in that journey.
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Native American enrollment at the university level has declined over the last decade, meaning that less Indigenous students are able to begin careers that require a college degree.
There are many factors that play into that decrease, but one of the largest is a lack of critical support services for Native American students in the college environment.
However, some universities — Pacific included — have invested meaningful resources into creating spaces for indigenous students to receive academic, cultural and financial support throughout all four years of their undergraduate journey.
But what does that support look like, and how can you make use of it to get your degree and kickstart a high-paying and rewarding career?
Let us show you what to look for in the best schools for Native Americans and how you can feel at home at colleges that genuinely support Indigenous students.
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An Indigenous Student Presence on Campus
Students from underserved populations can often feel isolated at college, so finding demonstrated ways your school supports the Indigenous population on campus can help greatly ease the transition into university life.
When searching for schools that support Native American students, be on the lookout for:
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Indigenous students groups. On-campus cultural organizations provide a vital lifeline between Indigenous students, nontribal allies and their communities.
Pacific’s Indigenous Student Alliance fosters a compassionate space for Native American students to explore their identity through events, education and representation.
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Multicultural advocacy. Advocates for all, multicultural student centers help students adapt and thrive in the university environment.
Celebrating the diverse cultural experience present on college campuses, your multicultural center seeks to amplify the voices of those who may have been historically marginalized.
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First-generation undergraduate support. Native American students are significantly less likely to have had parents or guardians who attended college or university when compared to their white student counterparts.
First-generation college students make up nearly 25% of Pacific’s undergraduate student body, a population of which we take extra care in supporting throughout their entire college career.
Institutions that Acknowledge their Place in Indigenous History
Education played a huge role in the oppression of Native Americans during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and many universities and their associated communities were involved.
While there is no way to undo the generations of damage caused by Indian Schools, the goal of many current colleges is reconciliation and support for Native American students.
That reconciliation comes partially in the form of Indigenous engagement committees, organizations that facilitate everything from formal land acknowledgments to educational resources.
Pacific’s Indigenous Student Alliance recently hosted their first annual Reconciliation Powwow, an event which not only honored the complex history of the Forest Grove Indian School, but uplifted current Native students and community members.
The best schools for Native American students interrogate their history, rather than pretending it didn’t happen, and use it to help uplift the Indigenous community.
Active Investment in Indigenous Student and Community Resources
Universities empower Native American students by continually improving facilities and programs geared toward Indigenous populations.
This investment can come in the form of physical spaces for Indigenous students and nontribal allies to meet and hold community gatherings.
One of these spaces is the Pacific University Longhouse, the first of its kind in Washington County, which will be used for Native American gatherings and provide an inclusive space for students.
Schools that support Native American students also do so by devoting resources and programs to community efforts, especially in areas like healthcare.
On a university-wide level, schools that prioritize a core curriculum of critical thinking and diverse perspectives help create graduates of all backgrounds that are ready to implement critical social justice ideals in their professional fields.
Degree Pathways that Support Advocacy and Service for Marginalized Communities
Getting your degree is just the first step in discovering how you can make an impact in the communities that matter most to you.
Supporting Indigenous students means not only giving them the tools to thrive while in school, but also showing them the pathway to a career that can help them give back.
Degrees Native American students can pursue that support underserved communities include:
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Social work. Compassionate and in-demand, social workers have the potential to help with everything from food security to employment to healthcare.
Available as an undergraduate or graduate degree (and eligible for Pacific’s Guaranteed Graduate School Admissions), a degree in social work can empower you to make a difference in Indigenous communities.
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Public health. Versatile and with the potential for a wide variety of advanced degrees, public health provides you with skills to greatly enhance people’s lives through education and advocacy.
Underserved communities are often the most in need when it comes to healthcare programs and accessible services, something public health workers can help provide.
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Education. For many young people, access to education is a way to start exploring their passions and begin envisioning a potential career they are passionate about.
Teachers at all levels help not only in the tangible aspects of education, but also by providing community structure through educational institutions.
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Environmental studies. In both research and policy, environmental scientists can help manage and advocate for land use practices that benefit entire communities.
On tribal lands especially, land use rights and management experts are sought after, making environmental scientists perfect for helping give back.
Financial Aid Resources for Native American Students
Another factor in the decline in Indigenous student enrollment is the rising cost of a higher education, especially at private institutions.
However, with generous academic and merit scholarships, plus a newly streamlined FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), getting the funding you need to attend college has never been more accessible.
Pacific offers scholarships to nearly every undergraduate student, which can lower the cost of attendance by up to 40%.
Pacific is also eligible for Oregon Tribal Student Grants, which can cover a substantial amount of your tuition over all four years of your undergraduate degree.
Regardless of your tribal affiliation, background or prior financial aid situation, you can greatly reduce the cost of college and reap the benefits of attending a small, private liberal arts college as a Native American student.
Pacific is currently accepting undergraduate admissions applications for the 2025-2026 academic year! Inquire to learn more about how you could thrive at one of Oregon’s most acclaimed research institutions.