by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 18 colleges ranked on ethnic diversity in District of Columbia, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body. To help you decide, College Factual evaluated 18 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Diversity means different things to different students. 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? We built a tool called College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus to be the most ethnically diverse college in District of Columbia. The school's ethnic diversity score is 80.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 80.8, alongside a 100.0 gender-diversity score.
A rank of #2 makes Wesley Theological Seminary one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in District of Columbia. Wesley Theological Seminary scores 79.2 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 79.2, and gender diversity 99.1.
Georgetown University earned the #3 place in District of Columbia. The school's ethnic diversity score is 77.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 77.4, with a gender-diversity score of 99.3.
George Washington University came in at #4 on this year's Most Ethnically Diverse Colleges ranking in District of Columbia. The school's ethnic diversity score is 75.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 75.2, and gender diversity 95.9.
You'll find a welcoming community at American University, which ranked #5 this year. It scores 73.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 73.6, alongside a 95.1 gender-diversity score.
The Chicago School at Washington DC ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. The school's ethnic diversity score is 72.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 72.3, with a gender-diversity score of 62.1.
Gallaudet University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 71.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 71.0, with a gender-diversity score of 96.7.
The Catholic University of America came in at #8 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 67.2 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.2, and gender diversity 99.8.
Strayer University-Global Region came in at #9 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 62.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 62.2, and gender diversity 92.9.
University of the District of Columbia landed the #10 spot in District of Columbia this year. It scores 60.0 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 60.0, and gender diversity 92.8.
Institute of World Politics earned the #11 position in District of Columbia. It scores 56.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.4, and gender diversity 95.2.
Trinity Washington University earned the #12 position in District of Columbia. On ethnic diversity, it scores 55.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.3, and gender diversity 35.7.
Howard University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. It scores 53.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 53.9, and gender diversity 88.4.
The Salon Professional Academy - Washington DC came in at #14 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 39.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 39.5, and gender diversity 21.9.
Strayer University-District of Columbia earned the #15 position in District of Columbia. Strayer University-District of Columbia scores 35.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 35.4, and gender diversity 78.1.
Career Technical Institute ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. The school's ethnic diversity score is 17.1 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 17.1, with a gender-diversity score of 79.4.
Bennett Career Institute ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 4.6 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 4.6, and gender diversity 81.5.
Saint Michael College of Allied Health placed #18 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in District of Columbia. On ethnic diversity, it scores 2.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 2.3, with a gender-diversity score of 49.6.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body. 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
