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Leading the list is East Central College, our #1 most economically diverse college in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 24.5, and gender diversity 96.3.
by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 446 schools ranked on economic diversity in Plains States, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 446 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal mix depends on what matters most to you. Narrow your list 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 that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Leading the list is East Central College, our #1 most economically diverse college in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 24.5, and gender diversity 96.3.
A rank of #2 makes Midwest Institute one of the most economically diverse colleges in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 49.0, and gender diversity 35.8.
Mineral Area College came in at #3 on this year's Most Economically Diverse Colleges ranking in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 29.8, alongside a 94.5 gender-diversity score.
Out of the 446 colleges in Plains States in this year's ranking, College of the Ozarks landed the #4 spot. College of the Ozarks scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 29.3, and gender diversity 99.0.
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary earned the #5 place in Plains States. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 33.2, alongside a 99.8 gender-diversity score.
Metropolitan State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 69.8, and gender diversity 98.3.
Central Christian College of the Bible earned the #7 position in Plains States. Central Christian College of the Bible scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 45.4, alongside a 91.2 gender-diversity score.
Hastings Beauty School earned the #8 position in Plains States. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Graceland University-Lamoni earned the #9 position in Plains States. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 69.4, and gender diversity 99.7.
St Luke's College earned the #10 position in Plains States. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.8, alongside a 35.0 gender-diversity score.
Southwestern Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Southwestern Community College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 30.3, with a gender-diversity score of 95.5.
William Penn University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 63.1, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
Pine Technical & Community College landed the #13 spot in Plains States this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.0, with a gender-diversity score of 96.7.
Cowley County Community College landed the #14 spot in Plains States this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 56.2, alongside a 96.4 gender-diversity score.
Barclay College ranked #15 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 73.8, alongside a 99.3 gender-diversity score.
Fort Scott Community College landed the #16 spot in Plains States this year. Fort Scott Community College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 37.6, with a gender-diversity score of 99.8.
Ottawa University-Kansas City came in at #17 in this year's ranking. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.2, with a gender-diversity score of 88.8.
Heartland Welding Academy placed #18 among the most economically diverse colleges in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100.
Capri College, Cedar Rapids earned the #19 position in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 32.5, with a gender-diversity score of 21.8.
Grand River Technical School ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 36.9, alongside a 97.7 gender-diversity score.
Warrensburg Area Career Center landed the #22 spot in Plains States this year. Warrensburg Area Career Center scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Ottawa University-Online landed the #23 spot in Plains States this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 80.5, alongside a 91.5 gender-diversity score.
Oglala Lakota College earned the #24 position in Plains States. It scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 11.8, with a gender-diversity score of 87.6.
Indian Hills Community College placed #25 among the most economically diverse colleges in Plains States. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 44.0, and gender diversity 99.7.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
Click any college name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Myotherapy Institute | 99.5 |
| 52 | Buena Vista University | 99.5 |
| 53 | South Central College | 99.5 |
| 54 | North Central University | 99.5 |
| 55 | City Pointe Beauty Academy | 99.5 |
| 56 | Coffeyville Community College | 99.5 |
| 57 | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | 99.5 |
| 58 | Capri College, Dubuque | 99.5 |
| 59 | Empire Beauty School-Bloomington | 99.5 |
| 60 | Merrell University of Beauty Arts and Science | 99.5 |
| 61 | Chamberlain University-Missouri | 99.3 |
| 62 | Jefferson College | 99.3 |
| 63 | Stephens College | 99.3 |
| 64 | Carlson College of Massage Therapy | 99.3 |
| 65 | Z Hair Academy | 99.3 |
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Eric Fisher Academy | 99.3 |
| 67 | Emmaus Bible College | 99.3 |
These colleges also rank near the top this year:
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Grand View University | 99.3 |
| 69 | Iowa Central Community College | 99.3 |
| 70 | New Dimensions School of Hair Design | 99.3 |
| 71 | Walden University | 99.3 |
| 72 | Riverland Community College | 99.3 |
| 73 | North Hennepin Community College | 99.3 |
| 74 | Normandale Community College | 99.3 |
| 75 | Ridgewater College | 99.3 |
| 76 | Evangel University-College of Online Learning | 99.3 |
| 77 | Paul Mitchell the School Springfield | 99.3 |
| 78 | Paul Mitchell the School Overland Park | 99.3 |
| 79 | Bellus Academy | 99.3 |
| 80 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | 99.3 |
| 81 | Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College | 99.3 |
| 82 | Evangel University-James River Assembly of God Church | 99.3 |
| Rank | College | Economic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | 99.3 |
| 84 | Lex La-Ray Technical Center | 99.3 |
| 85 | Mission University | 99.0 |
| 86 | Kansas City Art Institute | 99.0 |
| 87 | Southwest Baptist University | 99.0 |
| 88 | Applied Technology Services | 99.0 |
| 89 | Nebraska Indian Community College | 99.0 |
| 90 | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture | 99.0 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based 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.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.