
Aaniiih Nakoda College is a tribally controlled college in Harlem, Montana. Chartered by the Fort Belknap Indian Community in 1984, it was originally known as Fort Belknap College. Its current name recognizes the Aaniiih and Nakoda peoples of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.
The college was established to make postsecondary education more accessible to reservation residents and nearby communities. That purpose continues to shape its academic offerings: students can pursue college credentials close to home while studying in an institution that places Aaniiih and Nakoda languages, cultures, and community priorities within its educational mission.
Aaniiih Nakoda College is a small college organized around academic programs rather than a large system of separate schools. Its offerings center on associate degrees and certificates, with fields spanning general education, business, health, education, and science.
Students considering a particular occupation should examine the current academic catalog for the exact credential, required courses, and any separate admission or clinical requirements. A program's name alone does not establish that it meets every requirement for professional licensing or transfer into a bachelor's degree.
Aaniiih Nakoda College is in Harlem, a small community in north-central Montana near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Its location is particularly relevant to students who want to study while remaining connected to the Fort Belknap community or surrounding towns.
This is a rural setting, so commuting distance and reliable transportation matter more than they might at an urban campus. Students traveling from farther away should plan around limited regional transportation options. Billings Logan International Airport is a major airport in the broader region, but it is not a substitute for arranging ground transportation to Harlem.
Aaniiih Nakoda College's stated educational purpose connects postsecondary study with the needs of the Aaniiih and Nakoda peoples and the broader Fort Belknap area. Its tribal identity is part of the institution's mission, not an indication that enrollment is restricted to tribal members.
For prospective students, the practical question is how that mission appears in the current catalog: language and culture coursework, locally relevant programs, and opportunities to apply learning in the community may matter as much as the college's size or tuition. A mission statement expresses institutional priorities; it should not be read as a guarantee of any individual academic or career outcome.
Name of the institution
Aaniiih Nakoda CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
Rural: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1984Aaniiih Nakoda College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.