2024 Most Diverse Colleges

What Contributes to College Diversity?

Attending a college with a diverse student body is quickly becoming an important factor for most students when selecting a college. College diversity is certainly a broad topic, but for our intents, we’re referring to 4 primary types of diversity: financial, geographic, gender and race.

Financial Diversity

Financial diversity is a key component of any college campus. Many colleges are now using financial aid and scholarship programs to widen their access to students from low-income families and provide them with higher education opportunities. This is important for college campuses because it creates a student body with a wider range of perspectives. In addition to enabling financially disadvantaged students to attend college, financial diversity can also provide these students with a valuable network of individuals with different backgrounds and experiences.

Geographic Diversity

Geographic diversity is an oft-overlooked aspect of college life, but it can play a major role in the college experience. By having students from different parts of the country, or even different parts of the world, it creates an environment that harbors a wealth of perspectives and ideas. Additionally, having a diverse student body helps to eliminate any “regional divides” that exist on college campuses.

Gender Diversity

Gender diversity is also an incredibly important factor for colleges, as it improves the overall quality of education for all students. It allows for a more balanced classroom experience, which means more diverse views, ideas, and perspectives. In addition to improved education, gender diversity also helps to eliminate many of the institutional gender biases that have plagued colleges in the past.

Racial Diversity

Racial diversity is of paramount importance on a college campus, as cultural and racial differences can bring a wealth of perspectives to a college education. Furthermore, having a diverse student body fosters greater respect and understanding between individuals of different backgrounds and experiences. This is why many colleges are now focusing on reaching out to students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds and encouraging them to apply.

What Are the Benefits of Studying at a Diverse College?

Attending a college with a diverse student body has many benefits. One of the most beneficial aspects is the exposure to different cultures and backgrounds that come with attending a school made up of people from around the world. This type of environment offers an opportunity for social and academic growth, as well as an increased understanding of global issues. Being exposed to different cultures opens up many doors and can help shape the path in life that one takes.

What Are the Most Diverse Colleges?

Moving now to the actual college diversity rankings, here's a quick look at the top 5 most diverse colleges.

Hult International Business School

Located in the bustling and academic-dense city of Cambridge, Hult International Business School is known globally as a beacon for diverse opinions - and it ranks first in our most diverse colleges countdown. Albeit with a rather small student body of just 3,161 - the school does have a unique admission process but still ends up accepting about 4 out of every 10 applicants. The college ranks 199th overall on our best colleges ranking, and it does carry a huge cost coming in at $41,650 annually. Of particular note, Hult Connect is a professional networking platform that sits at the heart of the school's programming and boasts 11,000+ active alumni that swap advice and job opportunities. This alone can often justify the hefty price tag of heading to Hult.

University of Phoenix-Arizona

The University of Phoenix-Arizona, located in Phoenix, takes up the second spot on our most diverse colleges ranking. Enjoying a huge student base of 149,556, the college has a virtually no-barrier of entry policy with an acceptance rate of 100%. As expected, the college does not rank as highly as the other colleges on the list and clocks in outside the top 1,000. Nonetheless, the university does make up for this via its affordability - annual tuition can drop well below $10,000 in certain cases. While the university does not boast a huge list of alumni, it does however house a number of notable professors who bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge and professional experience to the institution year after year.

Andrews University

At #3, there’s Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Known globally for its commitment to academic excellence, Andrews University sits at #383 position overall, which isn’t outstanding but the school does offer a manageable tuition fee of $28,992 annually. Furthermore, those interested in a less intense admission process will be relieved to know that the school accepts 67% of applicants. Andrews University also prides itself on its diverse student population. With a student base of 4,754, the university is able to provide its students with numerous opportunities to mingle with peers of different backgrounds.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Grabbing the 5th slot is MIT, no stranger to topping rankings. The school also claims the #1 spot on our overall best colleges ranking. Located in Cambridge (Massachusetts), students have easy access to the entire northeast, just a train ride away. Boasting an acceptance rate of only 7%, MIT is the ultimate destination for the brightest minds from around the world. Amazingly, even though the college does charge an annual tuition fee of $53,450, it still has a diverse population of 12,321 students. MIT alumni are known for their innovation and making a positive dent on the world - some of the more notable ones including astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Apollo program director William F. Ritschel.

How Should Diversity Factor Into Your College Decision?

We would strongly recommend students take a deep look at the diversity metrics of their top schools of choice, it can have a unique and positive impact on the college experience and even professional outcomes. As discussed, attending a college with a diverse student body offers many benefits, ranging from exposure to different cultures to increased understanding of global issues. Each college offers a unique atmosphere and diverse group of students, giving students the opportunity to learn and grow in an accepting and open-minded environment. The 4 key types of diversity discussed – financial, geographic, gender, and racial – can play a major role in creating an educational environment that offers an even playing field for all students. By attending a college with a diverse student body, students can gain valuable new perspectives and skills that would otherwise may be challenging to access.