These Colleges Have the Most Diverse Student Bodies

San Francisco State University is one of the most diverse colleges in the nation. There is a nearly 78% chance that two randomly selected students would be from a different racial or ethnic group, or will have a different U.S. citizenship status. Of American undergraduates at SFSU, 36.6% identify as Hispanic. The other largest demographic groups are Asian (27.6%) and white (18.4%).

SFSU has several programs within its Division of Equity and Community Inclusion that aim to promote equity and facilitate intercultural dialogue. These programs include the Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Services unit, the Black Unity Center, and the Dream Resource Center for undocumented students.

Boston University is one of five higher learning institutions in Massachusetts to rank among the 25 most diverse universities and colleges in the country.

More than 21% of undergraduates at BU are nonresident aliens, the highest share among all schools to rank in the 25 most diverse. There is a 78% chance two randomly selected students will have a different racial or ethnic background, or will have a different U.S. citizenship status. Boston University is a very selective school, with an admissions rate of 22.1%. Nationally-recognized, highly-selective schools often have much more diverse applicants, which may contribute to a greater diversity of students.

The only Texas school on this list, Rice University’s American undergraduate population is composed of 37.7% white students, 29.1% Asian students, 17.6% hispanic students, 8.1% black students, and 4.5% students who identify as multi-racial. Roughly half of Rice Students are from Texas, which is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the country.

The school has numerous working groups within its Council on Diversity and Inclusion, including affirmative action services, Multicultural Community Relations, and more.

At California State University-Sacramento, students who identify as Hispanic make up about one-third of the American undergraduate student body. It is one of just four schools to rank among the 25 most diverse in the country in which the largest racial or ethnic group on campus is Hispanic.

CSU-Sacramento is a large, public school, drawing many of its students from Sacramento County, which is among the most diverse counties in America. There is a greater than 70% chance that two randomly selected county residents would have a different race, ethnicity, or citizenship status. The school draws almost all of its students from nearby, as just 1% of full-time undergraduate students come from outside of California to attend the school.

MIT is one of the most selective schools in the country, with just 6.7% of applicants making it into the prestigious institution. Its large applicant pool may allow the school to factor in racial and ethnic diversity more than less selective schools when deciding on which applicants to admit.

Massachusetts and Middlesex County, where MIT is located, are not especially diverse, but the school has attracted students from all 50 states. White students make up the largest demographic group among respondents, at 35.2%. Asian students make up the next largest group at 31.0% followed by Hispanic students at 16.9%.