Haskell Indian Nations University

Lawrence, Kansas, United States · Est. 1884 · Tribal College

The oldest continually operating federal school for American Indians, serving 140+ tribal nations since 1884.

  • Founded 1884 as United States Indian Industrial Training School; renamed Haskell Institute (1887), Haskell Indian Junior College (1970), Haskell Indian Nations
  • Public tribal land-grant university operated by U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Located in Lawrence, Kansas; 878 undergraduate students (fall 2024)
  • No tuition; students pay yearly fees; funded directly by Bureau of Indian Education
  • 12 campus buildings designated U.S. National Historic Landmarks
  • Offers 4 bachelor degrees and 8 associate degree programs; 45% graduation rate (2022)

Academics

Haskell offers four baccalaureate degree programs: Indigenous and American Indian Studies (BA), Business Administration (BS), Elementary Teacher Education (BS), and Environmental Sciences (BS). The university also provides eight associate degree programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields including Communication Studies, Liberal Arts, Media Communication, Community Health, and Social Work. All academic programs are designed within a culturally relevant context that honors American Indian and Alaska Native worldviews and contemporary experiences.

Campus & Student Life

The historic 640-acre campus features 12 National Historic Landmarks and residential halls named after prominent Native American leaders. The Haskell-Baker Wetlands span 640 acres and support 243 bird species, serving as critical habitat for migratory birds. The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum houses the renowned Rinehart Collection and archives on Native American history. Students engage in cultural events including the annual Haskell Indian Art Market, Stories-n-Motion Film Festival, and Haskell Commencement and Pow-Wow. The Jim Thorpe Fitness Center and various student clubs support active campus life.

Admissions

Haskell admits students who are members of federally recognized Native American tribes. Application deadlines are June 1 for fall semester, April 15 for summer, and November 15 for spring. The university serves approximately 140 tribal nations and Alaska Native communities. Applicants must submit an online or downloadable application along with required forms including immunization documentation and FERPA release forms.

History & Mission

Founded in 1884 as a federal boarding school with 22 students, Haskell evolved from a vocational-technical institution into a tribal university. The 1960s brought student activism for cultural reclamation and curriculum reform. In 1993, it became a four-year university; in 1994, Congress designated it a land-grant college. Today, Haskell serves as the premiere tribal university in the United States, educating Native American and Alaska Native students for leadership roles in their communities.

Founded
1884
Type
Tribal College
Courses
13
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationU.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs; tribal land-grant
Websitehttps://haskell.edu/
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
13
Avg career outcomes
$37K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources