Summary
According to the Census’ American Community Survey, in 2021 1% of the total U.S. population identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native. Among American Indian or Alaskan Native residents aged 25 or over, only 15.4% had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. This rate is up from 13.4% in 2010 but falls short of the national rate of 32.9%.
Enrollment:
- In Fall 2020, Native American students made up 0.6% of all postsecondary enrollment.
- In 2020, 22% of the 18–24-year-old Native American population were enrolled in college compared to 40% of the overall U.S. population.
- Since Fall 2010, Native American enrollment has declined from 196,000 to 123,000, a 37% decrease.
- Native American students are much more likely to attend public versus private institutions of higher education.
- In Fall 2020, 83% of Native American students attended public institutions: 45% attended public four-year institutions and 38% attended public two-year institutions.
- Nearly 80% of the Fall 2020 enrollment at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) were Native American students.
