Native Americans in Higher Education

Native Americans in higher education are a racialized and political group on college campuses, coming from specific cultural (ethnic) orientations, and frequently representing sovereign nations. The terms Native, American Indian, Indigenous, Alaska Native, and Native American are often used interchangeably to refer to the status of students as a racial/ethnic group and highlight their marginalization along racial, cultural, and political spheres within predominately White institutions (PWI). In 2015, Native students enrolled in U.S. higher education made up about 1% of the student body population. Of Native students in 2016–2017, 4% graduated with an associate degree, and 5% graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Of the total number of Native students enrolled, 2% received a master’s degree and 0.5% obtained a doctorate in 2016–2017.

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