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Our analysis found Young Americans College of the Performing Arts to be the most economically diverse college in California. Young Americans College of the Performing Arts scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. The ranking below was designed to help you find 564 institutions by economic diversity in California, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 564 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every student measures diversity the same way. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Young Americans College of the Performing Arts to be the most economically diverse college in California. Young Americans College of the Performing Arts scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Out of the 564 colleges in California in this year's ranking, North-West College - Glendale landed the #2 spot. North-West College - Glendale scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 64.6, alongside a 52.4 gender-diversity score.
You'll find a welcoming community at Pomona Unified School District Adult and Career Education, which ranked #3 this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 27.1, alongside a 88.3 gender-diversity score.
A rank of #4 makes California State University-Long Beach one of the most economically diverse colleges in California. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 66.5, with a gender-diversity score of 97.8.
California State University-Sacramento came in at #5 on this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in California. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 75.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.8.
Federico Beauty Institute placed #6 among the most economically diverse colleges in California. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.4, with a gender-diversity score of 36.0.
Lu Ross Academy landed the #7 spot in California this year. Lu Ross Academy scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 38.7, and gender diversity 75.2.
University of Silicon Valley ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 79.4, and gender diversity 81.6.
La Sierra University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. La Sierra University scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 73.8, and gender diversity 97.8.
Unitek College placed #10 among the most economically diverse colleges in California. Unitek College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 70.8, with a gender-diversity score of 53.0.
Ukiah Adult School landed the #11 spot in California this year. Ukiah Adult School scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 70.4, and gender diversity 90.0.
Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Healthcare Career College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.6, alongside a 51.8 gender-diversity score.
Salon Success Academy - West Covina landed the #15 spot in California this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 17.3, alongside a 15.3 gender-diversity score.
MIXED Institute of Cosmetology & Barber landed the #16 spot in California this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 74.6, alongside a 93.2 gender-diversity score.
Epic Bible College & Graduate School ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 75.4, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
National Polytechnic College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.2, with a gender-diversity score of 85.2.
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles landed the #19 spot in California this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 57.0, and gender diversity 89.2.
Design Institute of San Diego ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 69.9, and gender diversity 36.7.
Glendale Career College earned the #21 position in California. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 75.7, with a gender-diversity score of 78.6.
University of La Verne ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.5, and gender diversity 94.4.
West Coast University-Ontario ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.9, and gender diversity 78.3.
Diamond Beauty College landed the #24 spot in California this year. Diamond Beauty College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 33.1, and gender diversity 50.1.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program earned the #25 position in California. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
Click any college name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | MTI College | 99.7 |
| 52 | CET, San Jose | 99.7 |
| 53 | Ventura Adult and Continuing Education | 99.7 |
| 54 | DeHart Technical School | 99.7 |
| 55 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 99.7 |
| 56 | Victory Career College | 99.5 |
| 57 | Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield | 99.5 |
| 58 | American University of Health Sciences | 99.5 |
| 59 | California Aeronautical University | 99.5 |
| 60 | Modern Technology School | 99.5 |
| 61 | Academy for Salon Professionals | 99.5 |
| 62 | Capstone College | 99.5 |
| 63 | California Institute of Integral Studies | 99.5 |
| 64 | Coastline Beauty College | 99.5 |
| 65 | Woodbury University | 99.5 |
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Paul Mitchell the School Sacramento | 99.5 |
| 67 | SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary | 99.5 |
| 68 | Lemoore College | 99.5 |
| 69 | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | 99.5 |
| 70 | San Diego Christian College | 99.5 |
| 71 | California College of ASU | 99.5 |
| 72 | Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | 99.5 |
| 73 | Life Pacific University | 99.5 |
| 74 | Unitek College | 99.5 |
| 75 | San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula | 99.5 |
| 76 | Hinton Barber and Beauty College | 99.5 |
| 77 | Platt College-Anaheim | 99.5 |
| 78 | Lionel University | 99.3 |
| 79 | Paul Mitchell the School East Bay | 99.3 |
| 80 | Cinta Aveda Institute | 99.3 |
| 81 | The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose | 99.3 |
| 82 | California State University-East Bay | 99.3 |
| 83 | Copper Mountain Community College | 99.3 |
| 84 | Professional Institute of Beauty | 99.3 |
| 85 | Salon Success Academy - Upland | 99.3 |
These colleges narrowly missed the top tiers:
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | West Coast University-Los Angeles | 99.3 |
| 87 | Imperial Valley College | 99.3 |
| 88 | California Beauty School | 99.3 |
| 89 | Career Academy of Beauty | 99.3 |
| 90 | Oak Valley College | 99.0 |
| 91 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | 99.0 |
| 92 | Agape College of Business and Science | 99.0 |
| 93 | California State University-Monterey Bay | 99.0 |
| 94 | Central California School of Continuing Education | 99.0 |
| 95 | Annenberg School of Nursing | 99.0 |
| 96 | Advance Beauty College | 99.0 |
| 97 | Barstow Community College | 99.0 |
| 98 | California State University-Stanislaus | 99.0 |
| 99 | California State University-Northridge | 99.0 |
| 100 | Simpson University | 99.0 |
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | South Coast College | 99.0 |
| 102 | Vanguard University of Southern California | 99.0 |
| 103 | Asher College | 99.0 |
| 104 | International School of Beauty Inc | 99.0 |
| 105 | Lyle’s College of Beauty | 99.0 |
| 106 | Salon Success Academy - Corona | 99.0 |
| 107 | San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | 99.0 |
| 108 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | 99.0 |
| 109 | Institute for Business and Technology | 99.0 |
| 110 | Touro University Worldwide | 99.0 |
| 111 | Xavier College School of Nursing | 99.0 |
| 112 | Merced College | 99.0 |
| 113 | Hope International University | 99.0 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.