College of Menominee Nation

About College of Menominee Nation

College of Menominee Nation began offering general-education classes to 42 tribal members on the Menominee Reservation in January 1993 and was chartered by the Menominee Legislature on March 4 of that year. It now operates as a tribal land-grant college and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which reaffirmed its accreditation in 2023. Federal IPEDS reporting classifies CMN as a private, not-for-profit institution without religious affiliation. The college's identity is closely connected to the Menominee People, but enrollment is open to students from all backgrounds who meet its admission requirements. Teaching, applied research, cultural preservation, community outreach, and sustainable development all feature in the institution's work. That orientation is visible in Indigenous-focused courses, tribal public-service programs, the Sustainable Development Institute, and community resources housed at the college. CMN's main campus is in Keshena, with a second campus in metropolitan Green Bay near the Oneida Nation. The official site also documents asynchronous online classes and hybrid formats, although students should confirm that their complete chosen program is available in the format and at the campus they need. The college awards bachelor's and associate degrees and also offers certificates and technical diplomas. It does not list master's or doctoral programs. Active Fall 2026 admissions information and a 2026 commencement page support its current operating status.

CMN describes itself as an open-enrollment institution. Applicants who meet the general requirements are admitted to the college, but admission does not guarantee entry to every program; some programs have separate criteria and limited capacity. The published general requirements state that applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and normally must hold a high-school diploma, GED, or HSED. Home-schooled applicants are reviewed individually. As of the current admissions page, CMN does not accept international students. Applications are submitted through MyEmpower. Required materials include official high-school records or GED/HSED documentation and, when relevant, official college transcripts. Enrolled members or direct descendants of federally recognized tribes must provide applicable tribal enrollment or blood-degree documentation, but tribal affiliation is not a general condition of enrollment. Certain programs, including education and some health or counseling-related offerings, require a Wisconsin disclosure form or other program-specific steps. For Fall 2026, the official admissions page listed August 14, 2026 as the last day to apply and register, with classes beginning August 31. Those dates apply specifically to that term and should not be reused for later intakes. Transfer, returning, high-school, and non-degree applicants have distinct application categories. Prospective students should contact admissions early if they have international academic records, want a limited-enrollment program, or need to establish how prior college credit will be evaluated.

CMN's academic portfolio combines bachelor's and associate education with shorter certificates and technical diplomas. Current degree fields include business administration, education, natural resources, public administration, biological and physical sciences, geoscience, integrated studies in sustainability, liberal studies, digital media, early childhood education, and substance abuse counseling. Technical and workforce-oriented options shown in the current program directory include CNC machining, electricity, welding, IT support, medical office technology, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable residential building systems. Applicants should use the program directory rather than the broad subject tags in the database, since not every commonly listed university field is an actual CMN degree. Indigenous knowledge and regional needs are integrated into the curriculum. The catalog includes Menominee and Oneida language courses, American Indian literature and history, Native American cultures, environmental ethics, and American Indian environmental philosophies. The Sustainable Development Institute provides another route into applied work involving Indigenous food sovereignty, ecology, sustainability, and student enrichment. Course delivery can be face-to-face, hybrid, fully online, or organized around hands-on laboratory and shop work. CMN describes fully online courses as asynchronous, with deadlines but no scheduled class meeting, while hybrid courses retain some in-person requirements. Online students can use the same academic support services as campus students. Because delivery varies by course and some professional or limited-enrollment programs impose additional requirements, students should check the current schedule and program page before assuming an entire credential can be completed remotely or at either campus.

Key Highlights

• Founded and chartered by the Menominee Legislature in 1993
• Accreditation reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission in 2023
• Tribal land-grant college open to students of all backgrounds
• Main campus in Keshena plus a Green Bay/Oneida campus

Student Life & Environment

Student life is organized around a small, community-oriented college with services available at Keshena, Green Bay/Oneida, and online. Academic support includes Academic Success Coaches, tutoring in subjects such as algebra, writing, business, oral communication, and humanities, and disability accommodations. Student Resources can also help connect learners with assistance involving food insecurity, housing, transportation, and other outside challenges. The college describes limited emergency aid for eligible students, but students should confirm current funding and conditions directly. Recognized organizations include Student Government, American Indian Business Leaders, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the CMN Prep Club for American Indian Higher Education Consortium competitions, the student-produced Feather Chronicles, and SEEDS, a sustainability group. These options emphasize leadership, academic and professional networks, creative work, competition, and environmental action rather than a large residential-campus social scene. The S. Verna Fowler Library, online learning resources, internships, student employment, and career support extend the academic experience. Career Services provides résumé feedback, interview preparation, career exploration, and help locating jobs, apprenticeships, and internships. CMN does not clearly advertise institution-operated residence halls in the reviewed current sources, so prospective students should plan to ask about local housing and transportation rather than assume residential accommodation is available.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus is at N172 Highway 47/55 in Keshena, Wisconsin, on the Menominee Reservation and beside the Menominee Forest. This rural setting is especially relevant for students interested in tribal community life, natural resources, sustainability, and place-based learning. The surrounding area does not provide the scale of services or public transportation associated with a large city, making commuting, vehicle access, and housing important matters to investigate before enrolling. CMN also operates the Green Bay/Oneida campus at 2733 South Ridge Road in Green Bay. That location places students in a metropolitan labor market and near the Oneida Nation while remaining part of the same institution. Program availability can differ by site, and some courses are offered online or in hybrid form, so applicants should confirm where required classes, laboratories, and student services are delivered. No current official source reviewed clearly confirms college-operated housing. Students moving to either area should therefore request current guidance on rentals, commuting, parking, and any housing referrals before building a budget.

Costs & Career Outcomes

CMN publishes separate cost-of-attendance budgets for standard study and certain programs. Its financial-aid page links 2026–27 budgets, but the detailed amount can vary by enrollment load and program. Cost of attendance is broader than the bill: CMN explains that tuition, school fees, and books are direct charges, while living, transportation, and personal expenses are estimates. Students should therefore use the budget matching their program and credit load and request a current account estimate from Student Billing. No verified current residential charge was found because official college housing was not confirmed. Students seeking federal or state aid should submit the FAFSA using CMN school code 031251. Tribal members seeking tribal education funding may also need an Indian Scholarship Application through their own Tribal Higher Education Office, whose deadlines and rules are separate. The college states that it does not provide student loans, while its aid resources cover grants, scholarships, work-study, veterans' benefits, and tribal funding. Aid requires admission to and enrollment in a degree-seeking program, and attendance is verified before disbursement. Career Services offers résumé review, interview preparation, career exploration, and assistance finding jobs, apprenticeships, and internships. Students can also consider work-study, CMN internships, Sustainable Development Institute opportunities, and paid remote micro-internships advertised through an external platform. These are useful career-development channels, but the reviewed sources do not provide current salary, placement-rate, or employer-outcome statistics, so no earnings claim should be inferred.