According to a UNM press release, the Native American Studies program at UNM was recently ranked as one of the best in the country in terms of value and research by Great College Deals. The list placed UNM at No. 15 out of 20 colleges.
NAS is an academic program at UNM that is committed to indigenous research and scholarship, according to the press release. The curriculum and degree program is a focused and comprehensive study of “the history, conceptual frameworks, applications and research in the field of Native Studies.”
According to the release, the program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor degree through University Studies at UNM.
In its rankings, editors highlighted the NAS focus on research methods and sociopolitical concepts of the Native American culture, according to the release. In addition, UNM’s program was ranked in part because the tuition cost is lower than $30,000.
“A Native American Studies degree at UNM is much more valuable and significant than a net price attribute across higher institutions nationally,” Pamela Agoyo, special assistant to the president for American Indian affairs and director of American Indian Student Services, said in the release. “The Native American Studies program is a reflection of the vast knowledge and unwavering diligence of Dr. Greg Cajete and the entire team of NAS Faculty.”
According to the release, the ranking was created and points awarded using information from the National Center for Education Statistics' College Navigator database. Schools were selected based on the presence of a well-rounded NAS curriculum, field-related internships and scholarship options, as well as any special features that added value to the degree.
Great College Deals' mission is to provide high-quality, well-researched rankings and other resources aimed toward individuals looking for affordable higher education, according to the press release.
