Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Worth It?
At a value score of 10/100, Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $24,505 — 54% below average — while paying $12,570/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 20% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stone Child College | 46 | $4,424 | $24,555 |
| #2 | Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico | 43 | $5,669 | $21,790 |
| #3 | Sitting Bull College | 36 | $4,605 | $28,488 |
| #4 | Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | 13 | $8,657 | $24,302 |
| #5 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | 10 | $12,570 | $24,505 |
| #6 | Sinte Gleska University | 3 | $12,768 | $20,948 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,570/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in NM
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Santa Fe, NM
- Student Body
- 334 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 20%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,570
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $24,505