Diné College graduates a large number of students with associate degrees, according to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics that was published in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The magazine ranked Diné College fifth with respect to associate’s degrees conferred to Native Americans in all disciplines.

Diné College was the highest ranked tribal college in the survey. “We are proud of the ranking. It reaffirms that our faculty care about student success and with a low teacher-to-student ratio, extra time can be focused on students to ensure they are successful,” says Diné College president Monty Roessel.

According to the magazine, the number of associate degrees awarded around the U.S. in the academic year 2017-18 was over one million. Of the degrees awarded, 44% were conferred to minorities.

Provost Geraldine Garrity said students excel at Diné College “because the institution is culturally-based and relevant for students.” Garrity went on to state, “Students incorporate both the Navajo and Western perspectives in their education and are able to achieve their goals toward life-learning.”