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 65 institutions that stand out for their student bodies in Arkansas, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body. So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 65 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? We built a tool called College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
University of the Ozarks earned the #1 spot in this year's Most Ethnically Diverse Colleges ranking in Arkansas. University of the Ozarks scores 67.2 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.2, with a gender-diversity score of 99.0.
A rank of #2 makes University of Arkansas Grantham one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. On ethnic diversity, it scores 66.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.8, alongside a 95.7 gender-diversity score.
A rank of #3 makes Lyon College one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. It scores 66.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.4, with a gender-diversity score of 97.8.
A rank of #4 makes Designer Barber & Stylist School one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. Designer Barber & Stylist School scores 66.2 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.2, and gender diversity 70.2.
Out of the 65 colleges in Arkansas in this year's ranking, Ecclesia College landed the #5 spot. It scores 64.8 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 64.8, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 64.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.0, with a gender-diversity score of 95.6.
Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School landed the #7 spot in Arkansas this year. Imagine-Paul Mitchell Partner School scores 63.5 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 63.5, alongside a 31.8 gender-diversity score.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences earned the #8 position in Arkansas. The school's ethnic diversity score is 61.9 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.9, with a gender-diversity score of 83.4.
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. The school's ethnic diversity score is 61.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.3, alongside a 92.4 gender-diversity score.
Central Baptist College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 61.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.6.
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education landed the #11 spot in Arkansas this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 60.9 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 60.9, with a gender-diversity score of 99.2.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 60.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 60.4, and gender diversity 98.1.
Champion Christian College earned the #13 position in Arkansas. On ethnic diversity, it scores 58.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 58.9, and gender diversity 92.3.
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith placed #14 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. It scores 58.0 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 58.0, with a gender-diversity score of 97.2.
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas landed the #15 spot in Arkansas this year. It scores 56.5 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.5, with a gender-diversity score of 93.9.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College placed #16 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. On ethnic diversity, it scores 56.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.2, and gender diversity 97.7.
John Brown University landed the #17 spot in Arkansas this year. John Brown University scores 55.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 55.3, alongside a 96.6 gender-diversity score.
Northwest Technical Institute came in at #18 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 55.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 55.0, with a gender-diversity score of 85.4.
Arkansas State University-Newport came in at #19 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 54.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 54.4, with a gender-diversity score of 93.1.
Arkansas State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 53.6 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 53.6, with a gender-diversity score of 92.3.
Academy of Professional Cosmetology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Academy of Professional Cosmetology scores 53.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 53.1, with a gender-diversity score of 19.4.
Hendrix College earned the #22 position in Arkansas. It scores 52.7 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.7, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana earned the #23 position in Arkansas. The school's ethnic diversity score is 52.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.4, and gender diversity 92.7.
Arkansas Welding Academy placed #24 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Arkansas. It scores 52.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.4, and gender diversity 48.4.
University of Arkansas at Monticello came in at #25 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 51.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.3, and gender diversity 95.8.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most ethnically diverse this year:
*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.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
