Diversity—in race, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic background, and more—is a big selling point for many colleges. Though using diversity as a factor for college admissions has been a controversial decision—one that has been challenged in the court system through cases like Fisher v. University of Texas—many say it’s essential to reflect our increasingly diverse nation and to close the educational gap for groups that have historically been marginalized by higher learning. As Cesar Chavez said, "We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community—and this nation.”

It’s also about more than inclusivity. Diverse schools prepare students for working in a global society and promote cultural awareness. Plus, diversity makes campus life itself more varied, exposing students to ideas in the classroom, clubs, and activities they might have never known about otherwise. An in-depth 2015 study by consulting firm McKinsey discovered clear benefits for corporations around the world that outclassed their competitors in diversity. Companies in the top quartile for racial diversity are 35% more likely to make more money than the median company in their industry, and those in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to earn more than the median. For many students, attending a school with a diverse student body isn't just an ethical choice, it's a practical one, too. 

Stacker has ranked the top diverse colleges throughout the U.S. based on stats from Niche college rankings. Niche uses information from the U.S. Department of Education to reflect the racial diversity of students and faculty, the number of international and out-of-state students, socioeconomic differences, and gender ratios for both students and professors. It also considers the overall levels of tolerance on campuses. Stacker supplemented the Niche rankings with info from College Scorecard so that, whether you’re a prospective college student, a parent, an alumnus of one of these institutions, or just someone interested in the numbers, you’ll get a complete picture on the most diverse colleges in the country.

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- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Undergrads enrolled: 1,673
- Racial diversity: 46% white, 6% black, 12% asian, 3% hispanic, 11% multiracial, 16% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 16% under $30k and 46% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 75% female and 25% male

- Location: Fort Worth, TX
- Undergrads enrolled: 1,497
- Racial diversity: 34% white, 14% black, 1% asian, 26% hispanic, 5% multiracial, 16% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 26% under $30k and 6% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 52% female and 48% male

- Location: Bothell, WA
- Undergrads enrolled: 4,641
- Racial diversity: 40% white, 6% black, 25% asian, 9% hispanic, 6% multiracial, 10% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 26% under $30k and 13% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 48% female and 52% male

- Location: Evanston, IL
- Undergrads enrolled: 8,205
- Racial diversity: 46% white, 6% black, 16% asian, 11% hispanic, 5% multiracial, 8% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 10% under $30k and 43% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 50% female and 50% male

- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Undergrads enrolled: 4,978
- Racial diversity: 50% white, 4% black, 20% asian, 6% hispanic, 5% multiracial, 13% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 9% under $30k and 61% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 44% female and 56% male

- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Undergrads enrolled: 29,325
- Racial diversity: 50% white, 4% black, 5% asian, 25% hispanic, 5% multiracial, 7% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 30% under $30k and 20% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 53% female and 47% male

- Location: La Verne, CA
- Undergrads enrolled: 3,759
- Racial diversity: 22% white, 6% black, 4% asian, 48% hispanic, 3% multiracial, 3% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 29% under $30k and 20% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 58% female and 42% male

- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergrads enrolled: 6,164
- Racial diversity: 44% white, 6% black, 11% asian, 20% hispanic, 8% multiracial, 10% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 11% under $30k and 53% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 56% female and 44% male

- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Undergrads enrolled: 38,814
- Racial diversity: 51% white, 4% black, 7% asian, 19% hispanic, 4% multiracial, 13% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 34% under $30k and 18% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 44% female and 56% male

- Location: Houston, TX
- Undergrads enrolled: 27,159
- Racial diversity: 26% white, 10% black, 21% asian, 33% hispanic, 3% multiracial, 4% international (non-citizen)
- Household income: 30% under $30k and 19% over $110k
- Gender breakdown: 50% female and 50% male