North Dakota’s tribal colleges contribute $170 million to state economy amid federal budget cuts threat

A new report reveals that North Dakota's five tribal colleges have made a $170 million impact on the state's economy, contributing over $30 million in added tax revenue and public-sector savings in just one year. Despite these positive findings, concerns loom as the Trump administration's budget cuts threaten the survival of these vital institutions. With federal funding cuts on the horizon, tribal colleges face the potential for layoffs, rising tuition, and program closures. Tribal college leaders stress that the schools, which serve as cultural havens for Native students, must be exempt from cuts due to their unique obligations under federal treaty agreements.