Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
A public tribal college in Santa Fe, New Mexico dedicated to preserving and advancing American Indian and Alaska Native arts, culture, and heritage through specialized higher education.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
About Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
The Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is a public tribal college located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school focuses on providing educational opportunities rooted in Native American cultures and artistic traditions. With a student body of 334 undergraduates and 70 graduate students, the institute serves as a cultural and educational hub for indigenous communities.
Official website: iaia.edu
- Acceptance
- 97.5%
- Graduation
- 41.1%
- Net Price
- $12,570
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $24,505
- Enrollment
- 334
- Student : Faculty
- 8:1
How It Measures Up
The institute earns an Average UCD Score of 43.78, which reflects its position as a specialized institution within the peer group of 4-year selective colleges. The score emphasizes the school's strengths in affordability and instructional investment relative to its peer institutions.
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
The institute has an acceptance rate of 97%, indicating an open admissions approach. Standardized test scores are not required for admission.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Cost & Financial Aid
Annual tuition is $5,920 for both in-state and out-state students, with room and board costs averaging $13,028. The net price of attendance after grants varies by income level; students from families earning $0.30k pay approximately $10,974 annually, while those from families earning $75.110k pay about $21,413. This variation reflects available aid distribution patterns across income brackets.
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
- Tuition & Fees
- $5,920
- Room & Board (on-campus)
- $13,028
- Room & Board (off-campus)
- $13,648
- Books & Supplies
- $2,400
- Other Expenses (on-campus)
- $4,400
- Other Expenses (off-campus)
- $5,600
- Total Cost of Attendance
- $24,854
Application fee: $25 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Graduation Rate & Retention
The institute reports a graduation rate of 15%, which is notably low and reflects the challenges of degree completion at a small specialized institution. The retention rate is 64%, indicating that a significant portion of enrolled students continue to the following year.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
Six years after enrollment, median earnings for graduates are approximately $20,816 annually. Ten years after enrollment, median earnings increase to $24,505, suggesting modest long-term wage growth in the careers pursued by graduates.
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Who Studies Here
About 38% of students are first-generation college students. The student body includes 11.7% Hispanic students and 10.2% white students, reflecting a diverse community centered on Native American educational experiences.
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
What You Can Study
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development offers a varied set of programs: 11 distinct programs across 4 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
- Fine Arts $41K ($26K–$57K)
- Fine Arts $41K ($26K–$57K)
- Film & Video Production $44K ($26K–$63K)
- Museology/Museum Studies $37K ($30K–$50K)
- Museology/Museum Studies $37K ($30K–$50K)
Faculty & Resources
The institute has a full-time faculty composition, with instructional spending of $15,463 per student. This reflects a strong commitment to educational investment and direct faculty engagement with learners.
Faculty by Rank
27 instructional faculty across 3 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
| Rank | Faculty Count | Share | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Professors | 1 | 4% | $83,734 |
| Associate Professors | 5 | 19% | $77,407 |
| Assistant Professors | 21 | 78% | $62,674 |
Pros & Cons of Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Strength: The institute offers a unique mission-driven education focused on Native American arts, culture, and heritage with strong instructional investment and minimal tuition costs. Concern: The graduation rate of 15% is notably low for a four-year institution, suggesting significant barriers to degree completion that prospective students should carefully consider.
- Below-average net price
- Accessible admissions for most applicants
- Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
- Tight-knit, close community feel
- Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
- Below-average completion rate
- First-year retention is below typical
- Below-average post-graduation earnings
- Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Frequently Asked Questions about Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Here are answers to common questions about the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development.