Most Diverse Colleges in the US (2023 Rankings)

Whether you're a high school student looking for an inclusive four-year university or a graduate student hoping to expand your horizons, check out our list of the most diverse universities in America. While plenty of colleges claim to have a diverse student body, some back up their claims better than others in terms of cultural, intellectual, and ethnic diversity.

That's why we'll present you with a list of the best colleges for diversity (in no particular order) complete with the percentage of students who come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We'll also give you the scoop on each school's demographic inclusion initiatives surrounding students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and more.

New York University

Location: New York, New York

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 23.7% International students
• 22.9% White students
• 19.5% Asian students
• 16.6% Hispanic students
• 8.5% Black students
• 4.0% Multiethnic students
• 0.3% Native American/Pacific Islander students

New York University (NYU) is a huge private research university that doesn't play when it comes to global diversity and inclusion. NYU boasts over 60,000 college students from 133 different countries, 25 research programs in 25 countries, and 12 global academic centers on five different continents.

The university also provides students with great resources like its Center for Multicultural Education and LGBTQ+ Center. With over 270 areas of study for undergraduate and graduate students and exceptional study abroad programs, NYU offers a global educational experience for everyone.

You might also like: Rutgers University at New Brunswick - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Georgia State University

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 41.2% Black students
• 20.9% White students
• 15.2% Asian students
• 13.3% Hispanic students
• 6.1% Multiethnic students
• 2.7% International students
• 0.2% Native American/Pacific Islander students

Georgia State University (GSU) is a large public research college where you'll join a diverse campus made up of students from 150 countries. According to a 2022 report, GSU has also granted more bachelor's degrees to African-American students than any other college in the nation.

With over 250 bachelor's degree programs and more than 150 graduate programs, GSU's academic offerings are just as diverse as its student body. With a Carnegie R1 research ranking, a Division 1 athletics department, and plenty of equality-themed student organizations, GSU is a great place to pursue higher education.

You might also like: Harvard University - Cambridge, Massachusetts

University of Houston

Location: Houston, Texas

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 36.8% Hispanic students
• 22.9% Asian students
• 20.9% White students
• 10.2% Black students
• 3.8% International students
• 3.2% Multiethnic students
• 0.2% Native American/Pacific Islander students

The University of Houston (UH) is a large public research university with over 46,000 undergraduate and graduate students. At UH, you'll find a particularly strong percentage of Hispanic students and Asian-American students, who collectively make up nearly 60% of the student body.

You'll also find 276 degree programs and dozens of activist, cultural, and faith-based student organizations. Get active in the Deeds Not Words social justice organization or check out UH's Gamma Rho Lambda Kappa Chapter, an all-inclusive sorority for LGBTQ+ community members and allies.

You might also like: The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) - Arlington, Texas

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 36.4% Asian students
• 25.9% Multiethnic students
• 17.7% White students
• 12.6% Hispanic students
• 3.2% International students
• 2.5% Native American/Pacific Islander students
• 1.4% Black students

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public research college and the flagship campus of the UH system. Not only does UH Manoa offer a campus where traditional minority students are the majority but also a number of unique academic programs.

You'll find programs dedicated to topics ranging from tropical agriculture, volcanology, and oceanography to Pacific Island studies and comparative religion. You can even major in Hawaiian studies or minor in Hawaiian language immersion education.

You might also like: University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) - Las Vegas, Nevada

Andrews University

Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 24.4% White students
• 18.7% Black students
• 18.1% Hispanic students
• 17.5% International students
• 13.5% Asian students
• 5.7% Multiethnic students
• 0.6% Native American/Pacific Islander students

Andrews University is a private Christian college where students of all religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply for enrollment. With a tight-knit student body of just over 3,000 students, Andrews offers over 100 different academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

Whether you're interested in a STEM career, fine arts, or humanities, Andrews offers a wide range of options. Their co-curricular education gives each student the skills they need to create a more positive world in their own unique way.

You might also like: Boston University - Boston, Massachusetts

University of San Francisco

Location: San Francisco, California

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 26.4% Asian students
• 23.7% White students
• 20.7% Hispanic students
• 11.7% International students
• 6.0% Black students
• 0.5% Native American/Pacific Islander students

The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Catholic university with a diverse student population of 10,000 students from over 100 different countries. USF offers an excellent range of opportunities to study abroad and a curriculum packed with courses ranging from human rights and global change to global inequalities and social justice.

USF encourages students to explore other cultures and perspectives at its on-campus Intercultural Center and Gender & Sexuality Center. Choose from 40 undergraduate majors and a wide selection of graduate programs on an inclusive campus that's all about activism and global engagement.

You might also like: Swarthmore College - Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

University of California-Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, California

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 35.3% Asian students
• 21.8% White students
• 18.7% Hispanic students
• 12.6% International students
• 5.9% Multiethnic students
• 2.1% Black students
• 0.3% Native American/Pacific Islander students

The University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is a large public college that's home to a student population of over 40,000. First-generation college students make up over 25% of the first-year class at Berkeley, which goes above and beyond to foster diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Students can choose from more than 300 degree programs and an excellent range of cultural and social justice courses. Consider checking out the campus's Gender Equity Resource Center and getting involved in your choice of over 1,000 student organizations.

You might also like: University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) - Los Angeles, California

Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Undergraduate student population diversity:

• 27.2% Asian students
• 25.8% White students
• 16.6% Hispanic students
• 12.1% International students
• 8.0% Black students
• 6.9% Multiethnic students
• 0.2% Native American/Pacific Islander students

In 1876, Johns Hopkins University became the first American private research university. Today, it's known as one of the best in the world due to its next-level research facilities and an alumni list that includes everyone from Wes Craven and Wolf Blitzer to American presidents like Woodrow Wilson.

With a student population of just over 28,000, Johns Hopkins University's academic reputation and strong commitment to diversity and inclusion attract students from all over America and the world. With an international network around the globe, the university offers excellent study-abroad opportunities and over 400 undergraduate student clubs and organizations to explore.

You might also like: George Washington University - Washington, D.C.

College diversity FAQ

What is the No. 1 most diverse college in the U.S.?

As you can see from our demographics stats, pinning down the No. 1 most diverse college in America can be a bit tricky. We've attempted to present you with a list of the best colleges with a diverse range of students from cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

What's the least diverse college in the U.S.?

A lack of diversity isn't always necessarily a bad thing. Some schools, such as HBCUs, cater specifically to Black students, while others are exclusively Hispanic-serving institutions or designed for students of a particular religious faith or set of abilities. What's important is finding the right type of school for you.

What's the best U.S. college for international students?

New York University has one of America's largest international student populations and exceptional global inclusion policies.

Find the most diverse colleges with College Rover

Find out more about American colleges of all shapes and sizes with the user-friendly tools you'll find at College Rover. We have everything you need to find schools and programs that match your unique needs and goals, all in one handy dashboard.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.