North Dakota Tribal College System Releases 2024 Economic Impact Study
Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Tribal College System (NDTCS) is excited to announce the
findings from its 2024 Economic Impact Study. The research details the significant positive
impact Tribal Colleges have on North Dakota’s economy.
The study found that from 2022-2023 Tribal Colleges added $169.5 million to North Dakota’s
economy, the equivalent of supporting 2,106 jobs. For every dollar invested in Tribal Colleges,
taxpayers receive $1.30 in return. In total North Dakotans saw added tax revenue and public
sector savings of $30.4 million because of Tribal Colleges.
“This data proves how valuable Tribal Colleges are to all of North Dakota,” said Dr. Tracey
Bauer, NDTCS Executive Director. “North Dakotans benefit from the money Tribal Colleges
bring to and keep in North Dakota, particularly in our rural communities. Students and
staff, and the colleges themselves, are a vital part of keeping our economy strong.”
North Dakota’s five Tribal Colleges, Turtle Mountain College in Belcourt; Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish
College in New Town; Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten; United Tribes
Technical College in Bismarck; and Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, employ 657 full-time and
part-time faculty and staff, and spend $49.3 million annually on facilities, supplies and
professional services. Expenditures by students enrolled in Tribal Colleges added another $3.6
million to North Dakota’s economy.
Tribal Colleges also generated $3.2 million in construction income and $1 million in tourism
income for North Dakota. Tribal Colleges attract new students to North Dakota, and help the
state retain students who otherwise would have left. Alumni of tribal colleges employed in North
Dakota added an additional $104.4 million in income to the state.

The 2024 Economic Impact Study reflects fiscal year (FY) 2022-23. The study was conducted
by Lightcast, a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data to
educational institutions, workforce planners and regional developers in the U.S. and
internationally.

About NDTCS
The North Dakota Tribal College System is a unified coalition supporting five Tribal Colleges
across the state, leveraging both culture and collaboration to provide high-quality, accessible
post-secondary education. Chartered by federally recognized Tribal governments, the NDTCS is
committed to advancing enrollment, retention, and completion rates while ensuring culture
remains engrained in all facets of education.