Issue Primers

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), also known as tribally controlled colleges and universities, or TCCUs, are institutions of higher education formally controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by the governing body of a Native American tribe or tribes where Native American culture, language, and tradition are fostered. In Fall 2020, 79.7% of the TCU population was Native American.

In addition to students, TCUs serve a diverse group of 100,000 community members in academic and community-based programs and actively work to preserve Native American languages, promote tribal sovereignty, and further economic growth for Native American people. Because Native Americans (both American Indians and Alaska Natives) make up 1% of both the U.S. undergraduate and graduate student population, these students are often left out of postsecondary research and data reporting due to small sample size. What data is available indicates that, while 47% of Native Americans have attempted some form of higher education, only 24% have earned a degree.

After years of federal government control over tribal education at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels, tribal leaders began a political movement known as self-determination in the 1960s. Beginning with Dine College, founded in 1968 by the Navajo Nation,Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), also known as tribally controlled colleges and universities, or TCCUs, are institutions of higher education formally controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by the governing body of a Native American tribe or tribes where Native American culture, language, and tradition are fostered. In Fall 2020, 79.7% of the TCU population was Native American.

In addition to students, TCUs serve a diverse group of 100,000 community members in academic and community-based programs and actively work to preserve Native American languages, promote tribal sovereignty, and further economic growth for Native American people.3 Because Native Americans (both American Indians and Alaska Natives) make up 1% of both the U.S. undergraduate and graduate student population, these students are often left out of postsecondary research and data reporting due to small sample size.4 What data is available indicates that, while 47% of Native Americans have attempted some form of higher education, only 24% have earned a degree.

After years of federal government control over tribal education at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels, tribal leaders began a political movement known as self-determination in the 1960s. Beginning with Dine College, founded in 1968 by the Navajo Nation, 6 tribally controlled colleges grew out of this movement, establishing themselves as institutions that would sustain and grow tribal culture.

The majority of designated TCUs are located on reservations in the Midwest and Southwest (see Figure 1). TCUs are chartered by tribal governments and serve students from more than 230 federally recognized tribes. Many TCUs have open admission practices and, while they vary in size, focus, and location, individual tribal identity is deeply embedded in every institution. Often TCUs are the only postsecondary option for students in rural and poor communities and as such they tend to offer a broad range of social services, such as mentoring, childcare, wellness programs, and community programs, to meet student needs. tribally controlled colleges grew out of this movement, establishing themselves as institutions that would sustain and grow tribal culture.

The majority of designated TCUs are located on reservations in the Midwest and Southwest (see Figure 1). TCUs are chartered by tribal governments and serve students from more than 230 federally recognized tribes. Many TCUs have open admission practices and, while they vary in size, focus, and location, individual tribal identity is deeply embedded in every institution. Often TCUs are the only postsecondary option for students in rural and poor communities and as such they tend to offer a broad range of social services, such as mentoring, childcare, wellness programs, and community programs, to meet student needs.