What San Carlos Apache College does

San Carlos Apache College (SCAC) is a private tribal college founded in August 2017 by the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council to provide higher education to Apache people on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona. It serves primarily San Carlos Apache Tribal Members, along with local high school dual-enrollment students, adult learners, GED candidates, and non-tribal community members. The college offers associate degrees (AA/AS and AAS) in Computer Information Systems, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Business Management, and Management and Supervision, plus certificates in Social Services, Substance Abuse/Addiction Studies, and Management/Supervision. Workforce development is delivered through a WIOA-funded Institute for Career Development.

The institution's core technology stack is built on industry-standard educational platforms: Canvas for learning management (integrated with Turnitin for plagiarism detection), Jenzabar/MyTOCC for student information and registration, ALEKS for math coursework, and Pearson REVEL for business courses. Proprietary differentiators are limited to cultural tools, including a Western Apache keyboard layout supporting Apache-language diacritics and the A.R.R.O.W. institutional framework (Accountability, Respect, Resilience, Openness, Wisdom). The Apache Institute, directed by Tia Early, operates as an academic extension integrating Apache culture, language, and traditions into the educational experience under the guidance of a Cultural Advisory Council of tribal elders.

SCAC's business model combines tuition ($34.25 per credit, described as among the lowest in the nation) with diversified public and tribal funding streams. Revenue sources include per-credit tuition and activity fees, federal financial aid accessed through its accredited-site status under Tohono O'odham Community College (TOCC), IMLS and NSF grants, WIOA workforce program funding, and direct tribal support from the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council. The college pursues independent accreditation while operating under TOCC's Higher Learning Commission accreditation. Distribution is primarily on-campus at a single San Carlos, Arizona location, supplemented by Canvas-based online courses (including Apache language courses delivered via Zoom), dual-enrollment partnerships with San Carlos High School and Globe High School, and WIOA workforce channels.

Name

San Carlos Apache College

Legal name

San Carlos Apache College

Website

https://apachecollege.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Carlos Apache College is a private tribal college founded in 2017 on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, offering associate degrees, certificates, and workforce programs to Apache tribal members and local community members with culturally integrated curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tribal Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal Community Colleges (2-Year) (EDAHADAI), Tribal Teacher Education & Indigenous Language Colleges (Educator Prep/Language Revitalization) (EDAHANAG), Tribal Technical & Workforce Development Colleges (Trades/Applied Programs) (EDAHANAE)

Keywords

• Tribal higher education
• Community college degrees
• Workforce development training
• Associate degree programs
• Cultural education integration

Headquarters

HQ city

San Carlos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition fees ($34.25 per credit), IT fees ($2.50 per credit), activity fees ($15), and processing fees ($10). The college offers among the lowest tuition rates in the nation.
2. Federal Financial Aid: Students access federal financial aid programs through the college's accreditation with Tohono O'odham Community College (FAFSA School Code: 037844)
3. Tribal Support and Partnerships: Support from San Carlos Apache Tribal Council, partnerships with Gila Community College, Arizona State University, and Tohono O'odham Community College
4. WIOA Workforce Programs: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs providing workforce development and training services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

San Carlos Apache College is a tribal college that delivers higher education, workforce training, and community education programs rooted in Western Apache culture and values. It offers associate degrees, certificates, dual-enrollment courses for high school students, adult/GED programs, and WIOA workforce development, supported by cultural integration through the Apache Institute and the A.R.R.O.W. framework (Accountability, Respect, Resilience, Openness, Wisdom). Tuition is among the lowest in the nation at $34.25 per credit, with access to federal financial aid through accreditation with Tohono O'odham Community College.

Product overview

San Carlos Apache College is a tribal college offering higher education programs through a unified platform combining on-campus instruction with digital learning tools. The institution provides associate degrees and certificates across disciplines including Computer Information Systems, Business, Liberal Arts, and Social Work. Core academic operations are supported by Canvas LMS for coursework and Jenzabar/MyTOCC for registration and grades. The Apache Institute serves as a cultural extension integrating Apache traditions into education. The college also offers WIOA workforce development programs, library services, and free tutoring to enrolled students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Apache Institute: An academic extension of San Carlos Apache College that provides oversight, guidance, and integration of Apache culture and traditions using the A.R.R.O.W. model. Directed by Tia Early with guidance from historian Dr. Marcus Macktima.

Products and services

• Associate Degree Programs Associate degree programs (AA/AS and AAS) offered by SCAC in Computer Information Systems, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Business Management, and Management and Supervision, designed for San Carlos Apache tribal members and community learners seeking two-year higher education credentials.
• Certificate Programs Certificate programs in Management and Supervision, Social Services, and Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies for students seeking shorter-term career credentials.
• Apache Institute Academic extension of SCAC that provides oversight, guidance, and integration of Western Apache culture and traditions across the college's educational offerings using the A.R.R.O.W. (Accountability, Respect, Resilience, Openness, Wisdom) framework, including Apache Language courses, Apache History curriculum, and the Cultural Advisory Council.
• WIOA Workforce Development Programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs administered through SCAC's Institute for Career Development, providing career development, job training, and employment services for adults, youth, and dislocated workers in the San Carlos Apache community.
• Dual Enrollment Program College Credit Pathway program that allows high school students at San Carlos High School, Globe High School, and surrounding districts to earn transferable college credit through SCAC while completing their high school diploma.
• Adult Education and GED/Equivalency Program College Credit Pathway for the Arizona High School Equivalency Diploma, providing adult learners with GED preparation, adult basic education, and pathways to college credit.
• SCAC Community Library Community library offering learning support services, research resources, and access to digital collections through partnerships with the TOCC Library, Gila County Library District, and Digital Arizona Library (DAZL).
• Student Tutoring Services Free academic tutoring services for currently enrolled SCAC students providing subject-area support and learning assistance.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration19 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Tohono O'odham Community College (TOCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAC operates as an accredited site of Tohono O'odham Community College. This accreditation provides students access to federal financial aid programs and ensures transferable course credits. The partnership allows SCAC to leverage TOCC's accreditation status while pursuing independent accreditation.
• Gila Community College (Eastern Arizona College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished partnership for academic collaboration and course offerings. The Chairman's message specifically acknowledges this partnership as part of the college's educational offerings.
• Arizona State University (ASU)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership referenced in the Chairman's message. Faculty member Dr. Marcus Macktima serves as Assistant Professor at both SCAC and NAU (Northern Arizona University).
• Northern Arizona University (NAU)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for faculty and program development. Dr. Marcus Macktima serves as Assistant Professor at NAU while also teaching at SCAC. Dr. Lisa Eutsey holds an M.Ed. from NAU.
• San Carlos Apache TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe college was founded by the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council and serves as the higher education institution for the Apache people. The Tribe provides ongoing support and governance through the Board of Regents.
• Diné CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with fellow Tribal College for curriculum development, particularly in Apache Studies. Faculty collaboration and exchange of knowledge for Apache language and cultural curricula.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) - CR PartnershipsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAC staff member Nikki Lewis serves as site coordinator for Cultivating Relationships project funded by NSF in collaboration with University of Idaho, integrating Indigenous and School STEM Knowledge.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Northern Arizona University: Regional public university in Flagstaff with established faculty ties to SCAC (Dr. Marcus Macktima holds a joint appointment). Provides transfer pathways and competes for Arizona students seeking bachelor's-level credentials beyond SCAC's associate offerings.
• Arizona State University: Large public research university with a stated partnership with SCAC and a major online education footprint (ASU Online). Competes for the same Arizona students and provides transfer pathways, but does not specialize in tribal-serving, culturally embedded two-year education.

Direct peers

• Oglala Lakota College: Tribal college on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota offering associate through doctoral degrees. Directly comparable as a reservation-based tribal institution with cultural integration and workforce development programming for an indigenous student body.
• Haskell Indian Nations University: Tribal college/university in Kansas serving Native American students across many nations. Directly comparable mission and student demographic; SCAC's President Dr. Linda Sue Warner previously led Haskell, providing leadership and governance continuity between the two institutions.
• Tohono O'odham Community College: Accrediting partner institution that grants SCAC its accredited-site status. TOCC is itself a tribal community college in Arizona serving the Tohono O'odham Nation, making it the closest direct peer in mission, structure, and student population.
• Navajo Technical University: Tribal college in Crownpoint, New Mexico offering certificates, associate, and bachelor's degrees with strong technical/workforce programming. Comparable to SCAC in tribal-serving mission, geographic isolation, and WIOA-aligned workforce development emphasis.
• Bay Mills Community College: Michigan-based tribal community college offering two-year degrees with a mission to serve the Bay Mills Indian Community and surrounding region. Closely comparable as a small tribal community college with cultural preservation emphasis and associate-degree focus.
• Diné College: Tribal college serving the Navajo Nation with a similar two-year associate-degree model and cultural integration approach. SCAC's EVP Dr. Lisa Eutsey was previously Dean of Faculty at Diné College, indicating direct operational familiarity and an existing partnership for curriculum exchange in Apache Studies.
• Salish Kootenai College: Tribal college on the Flathead Reservation in Montana offering associate and bachelor's degrees with strong cultural and vocational programs. Comparable as a reservation-based TCU with mature program offerings and culturally grounded curriculum SCAC aspires to build toward.
• Gila Community College (Eastern Arizona College): Community college partner in eastern Arizona that supports SCAC's academic collaboration and course offerings. Operates as a satellite/satellite-like partner and competes for the same geographic student pool outside the tribal enrollment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@apachecollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/ApacheCollege
• Xx.com/apachecollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sancarlosapachecollege

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about San Carlos Apache College