What Little Big Horn College does

Little Big Horn College (LBHC) is a private, non-profit tribal community college chartered by the Crow Tribe of Indians in January 1980 under Crow Tribal Resolution 80-17b and operating as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The college sits on the Crow Indian Reservation in Crow Agency, Montana, and is governed by an all-Crow Indian Board of Trustees elected by Crow voters from the six reservation districts. LBHC is a 1994 Land Grant Institution and has held continuous regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1990, with reaffirmation in 2017 and a Year Seven Comprehensive Evaluation completed in September–October 2024. Its primary customer base is Crow tribal members and other residents of the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana, with the majority of enrolled students being members of the Crow Tribe of Indians.

LBHC delivers a portfolio of academic programs that includes eight Associate of Arts degrees, three Associate of Science degrees, and multiple one-year certificate programs spanning Crow Studies and Tribal Management, Business Accounting, Early Childhood Education, Information Systems (Technology and Office Assistant), Agriculture, and Highway Construction, plus an Associate of Science in Agriculture with a Livestock Management option currently in pilot status. Programs are offered through on-campus instruction at the Crow Agency campus (Driftwood Lodges Learning Center, Cultural Learning Lodge, Library Archives, Administration facilities) and via distance education delivered through the NWCCU-substantive-change approval granted in December 2020. The supporting technology stack is conventional for a small community college: the CloudRam student portal (course registration, financial aid, student services), the Parchment transcript service, a Drupal-hosted institutional website, and standard distance education infrastructure. Course numbering is standardized through the Montana University System Transfer Initiative to enable credit transfer to four-year institutions such as Montana State University-Billings.

LBHC's revenue model is a hybrid of tuition, federal financial aid (Title IV / Pell Grants), tribal and federal appropriations, and private donations. In-state tuition is approximately $3,200 per year for certain certificate programs (e.g., the Crow Studies Tribal Management Certificate), with books and supplies adding $1,200; a tuition package allows students to register for 12–18 credits for the same price as 12 credits, encouraging full-time enrollment. No application fee is charged, and financial aid coverage is extensive: in 2009–10, 100% of full-time first-time students received grant or scholarship aid, and private donor stipends and scholarships average over $200,000 annually. LBHC distributes its services through direct on-campus registration, in-person advising at the Registrar's Office, and the CloudRam portal, with marketing handled primarily through the institutional website, biennial catalogs, student handbooks, and tribal community channels.

Name

Little Big Horn College

Legal name

Little Big Horn College

Website

https://lbhc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Little Big Horn College is a non-profit tribal community college chartered by the Crow Tribe of Indians that delivers associate degrees, one-year certificates, and distance education programs to Crow tribal members and other residents of the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (61121), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Tribal Land-Grant Institutions (1994 Land-Grant TCUs) (EDAHANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal Community Colleges (2-Year) (EDAHADAI), Community/Tribal Two-Year Colleges (Associate Degree–Granting) (EDAHANAA)

Keywords

• Tribal college education
• Associate degree programs
• Certificate programs
• Higher education
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Crow Agency

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition charges for credit hours. The college has open admission and charges a registration fee at the time of registration. In-state tuition is approximately $3,200 per year for certain certificate programs.
2. Financial Aid Programs: Federal financial aid including Pell Grants and institutionally supported work-study programs. The college participates in Title IV financial aid programs and distributes federal student grants and loans.
3. Scholarships and Private Donations: Stipends and scholarship support from private donors averaging over $200,000 annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Little Big Horn College is a two-year tribal community college that delivers post-secondary education to primarily Crow tribal members on the Crow Indian Reservation. It offers eight Associate of Arts degrees, three Associate of Science degrees, multiple one-year certificate programs, and individualized studies, delivered through on-campus instruction and accredited distance education. The college integrates Crow language, history, and culture into its curriculum and supports students with Pell Grants, work-study, and private donor scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate of Arts in Business Administration Two-year associate degree program focused on business principles, management, and administration skills relevant to tribal and rural business environments.
• Associate of Arts in Crow Studies Two-year associate degree program focusing on Crow language, history, culture, and tribal governance, preserving Apsáalooke heritage.
• Associate of Arts in Education Two-year associate degree program preparing students for teaching careers or transfer to four-year education programs.
• Associate of Arts in Human Services Two-year associate degree program providing skills for community service, counseling support, and social work roles within tribal communities.
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Two-year associate degree providing a broad liberal arts foundation for transfer to four-year institutions or general educational enrichment.
• Associate of Science in Information Systems Two-year associate degree program covering computer systems, technology, and information management skills.
• Associate of Science in Mathematics Two-year associate degree program in mathematics, including math and pre-engineering options.
• Associate of Science in Science Two-year associate degree program in natural sciences with options in applied sciences (pre-med, pre-nursing, community health), environmental health, and natural sciences (natural resources, tribal natural resources, biology).
• Associate of Arts in Directed Individualized Studies Customized associate degree program allowing students to design their own course of study based on personal educational goals.
• One Year Certificate in Crow Studies: Tribal Management One-year certificate (30 weeks) focused on tribal management, governance, and cultural preservation. In-state tuition: $3,200 plus $1,200 for books and supplies.
• One Year Certificate in Business: Accounting Assistant One-year certificate program training students in basic accounting principles and office skills for business environments.
• One Year Certificate in Early Childhood Education One-year certificate (36 weeks) preparing students for work in early childhood education settings.
• One Year Certificate in Information Systems: Technology Assistant One-year certificate program training students as technology assistants with practical IT support skills.
• One Year Certificate in Information Systems: Office Assistant One-year certificate program developing office technology and administrative skills for business support roles.
• One Year Certificate in Agriculture One-year certificate program in agricultural practices.
• One Year Certificate in Highway Construction One-year certificate program in highway construction techniques and safety.
• Associate of Science in Agriculture: Livestock Management Option Associate of Science degree in agriculture with a livestock management specialization.
• Health and Wellness Center Campus facility offering fitness amenities including cardio room, weight room, aerobic room, two saunas, gymnasium, and concessions. Serves LBHC students and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 graduates have transitioned to jobs or senior institutions; at least 60 have completed bachelor's degrees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Indian Higher Education ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1976AIHEC is the organization of tribal colleges. LBHC received essential training and technical assistance from AIHEC beginning with associate membership in 1976. AIHEC provided college organization and curriculum development support.
• Salish Kootenai CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents of Salish Kootenai College (chartered 1976) shared college organization and curriculum development information with LBHC during its founding period.
• Sinte Gleska CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents of Sinte Gleska College (chartered 1972) shared college organization and curriculum development information with LBHC during its founding period.
• Oglala Lakota CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents of Oglala Lakota College (chartered 1972) shared college organization and curriculum development information with LBHC during its founding period.
• Blackfeet Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents of Blackfeet Community College (chartered 1976) shared college organization and curriculum development information with LBHC during its founding period.
• Dull Knife Memorial CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents of Dull Knife Memorial College (chartered 1974) shared college organization and curriculum development information with LBHC during its founding period.
• Montana State University-Billings (formerly Eastern Montana College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU-Billings provided substantial help in growth and progress toward full accreditation, personnel development and student science related opportunities. Extension center arrangements existed with this institution.
• Miles Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension center arrangements existed with Miles Community College in Miles City for student access to additional courses and programs.
• Dawson Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension center arrangements existed with Dawson Community College in Glendive for student access to additional courses and programs.
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWCCU is the regional accrediting body. LBHC achieved accreditation at the community college level in 1990 and has maintained full accreditation since that time. The college undergoes periodic evaluations including Year Seven Comprehensive Evaluation in 2024.
• Crow Central Education CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe parent organization of Little Big Horn College, established by the Crow Tribal Council in 1972 under Executive Director Joseph Medicine Crow. Created the educational services path that led to the development of the college. Commission projects included Crow and Northern Cheyenne Teacher Training Program (1975-81), Crow Educational Research, and Crow Head Start Program.
• Montana University System Transfer InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLBHC participates in the state-wide Transfer Initiative developed by the Montana Legislature and commissioned by the Board of Regents. This focuses on transferability of college credits throughout the state with emphasis on standardizing course numbering. Enables students transferring to or from other Montana higher education institutions to have credits accepted.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stone Child College: Tribal college on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in north-central Montana. Comparable two-year TCU with similar associate degree catalog, cultural curriculum integration, and small-enrollment reservation-based operating model.
• Fort Peck Community College: Two-year tribal college on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana. Directly comparable as a fellow Montana TCU offering associate degrees and certificates, serving a reservation community with similar workforce and cultural-preservation objectives.
• Blackfeet Community College: Tribal college on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana chartered in 1976. Directly comparable two-year TCU serving a Montana reservation community, sharing founding-era collaboration with LBHC and a similar cultural-preservation and workforce development mission.
• Aaniiih Nakoda College: Tribal college on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana. Comparable two-year TCU delivering associate degrees and certificates to a Montana reservation community with similar scale, mission, and accreditation status as LBHC.
• Salish Kootenai College: Two-year tribal college on the Flathead Reservation in Montana, also a 1994 Land-Grant institution. Directly comparable as a fellow TCU with NWCCU accreditation, similar associate degree and certificate catalog, and shared founding-era knowledge exchange with LBHC.
• Dull Knife Memorial College: Tribal college on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana chartered in 1974. Closely comparable two-year TCU in south-central Montana with similar associate degree structure, cultural curriculum emphasis, and founding-era relationship with LBHC.
• Oglala Lakota College: Tribal college on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, chartered in 1972. Comparable TCU that shared founding-era support with LBHC and operates a similar two-year-plus baccalaureate degree pathway serving a reservation community.
• Sinte Gleska University: Tribal college on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, chartered in 1972. Directly comparable founding-era TCU that shared curriculum and organizational development support with LBHC; offers a similarly structured two-year associate degree program.

Broad incumbents

• Montana State University Billings: Four-year public university in Billings, Montana and primary transfer destination for LBHC graduates. Comparable as a regional higher education institution in south-central Montana with established transfer pathways from LBHC, though it is a broad incumbent rather than a direct competitor for the same student segment.

Regional players

• Miles Community College: Public two-year community college in Miles City, Montana with an active extension-center arrangement with LBHC. Comparable as a Montana community college offering associate degrees and serving rural eastern Montana, though not reservation-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Little Big Horn College