Gogebic Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 31.5, alongside a 96.7 gender-diversity score.
If 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 153 institutions that stand out for their student bodies in Michigan, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To help you decide, College Factual evaluated 153 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. Refine the list by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our tool College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Gogebic Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 31.5, alongside a 96.7 gender-diversity score.
Out of the 153 colleges in Michigan in this year's ranking, Kirtland Community College landed the #2 spot. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 35.1, with a gender-diversity score of 97.6.
North Central Michigan College earned the #3 place in Michigan. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 28.9, alongside a 96.3 gender-diversity score.
You'll find a welcoming community at The University of Olivet, which ranked #4 this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 52.2, with a gender-diversity score of 98.2.
A rank of #5 makes Wayne County Community College District one of the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 44.7, and gender diversity 94.8.
Chamberlain University-Michigan ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Chamberlain University-Michigan scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 55.1, with a gender-diversity score of 58.8.
Sharps Academy of Hair Styling landed the #7 spot in Michigan this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College landed the #8 spot in Michigan this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 44.6, and gender diversity 98.8.
Albion College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Albion College scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.6, with a gender-diversity score of 99.5.
Mott Community College placed #10 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. Mott Community College scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.6, alongside a 94.9 gender-diversity score.
Delta College earned the #11 position in Michigan. Delta College scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 46.1, and gender diversity 94.8.
University of Michigan-Dearborn landed the #12 spot in Michigan this year. The school's economic diversity score is 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 63.1, alongside a 99.4 gender-diversity score.
West Shore Community College placed #13 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 32.9, alongside a 96.9 gender-diversity score.
Ross Medical Education Center - Brighton landed the #14 spot in Michigan this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100.
L'esprit Academy ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.0, alongside a 14.2 gender-diversity score.
Bay Mills Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 41.0, and gender diversity 71.8.
Glen Oaks Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 46.0, alongside a 96.6 gender-diversity score.
Jackson College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Jackson College scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 49.5, alongside a 94.2 gender-diversity score.
Mid Michigan College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Mid Michigan College scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 37.2, with a gender-diversity score of 96.2.
Wayne State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 64.3, alongside a 97.3 gender-diversity score.
Dorsey School of Beauty - Taylor placed #21 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.2, and gender diversity 13.2.
Empire Beauty School-Michigan placed #22 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 99.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.8, and gender diversity 44.7.
Alpena Community College earned the #23 position in Michigan. The school's economic diversity score is 99.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 33.4, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
Montcalm Community College placed #24 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. Montcalm Community College scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 37.7, and gender diversity 93.2.
Southwestern Michigan College placed #25 among the most economically diverse colleges in Michigan. It scores 99.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.3, alongside a 97.1 gender-diversity score.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on 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.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.