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Our analysis found Belhaven University to be the most ethnically diverse college in Mississippi. Belhaven University scores 65.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 65.9, and gender diversity 94.7.
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 40 schools by ethnic diversity in Mississippi, 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 40 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. Refine the 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? 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:
Our analysis found Belhaven University to be the most ethnically diverse college in Mississippi. Belhaven University scores 65.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 65.9, and gender diversity 94.7.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #2 place in Mississippi. It scores 61.7 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.7, and gender diversity 95.4.
A rank of #3 makes Millsaps College one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Mississippi. On ethnic diversity, it scores 59.8 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 59.8, alongside a 99.7 gender-diversity score.
You'll find a welcoming community at East Central Community College, which ranked #4 this year. It scores 59.7 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.7, alongside a 97.2 gender-diversity score.
University of Southern Mississippi earned the #5 place in Mississippi. The school's ethnic diversity score is 56.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 56.3, and gender diversity 94.3.
Mississippi College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 56.0 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 56.0, and gender diversity 96.5.
Blue Cliff College-Gulfport landed the #7 spot in Mississippi this year. It scores 55.2 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.2, and gender diversity 39.9.
Hinds Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 52.8 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.8, with a gender-diversity score of 96.8.
William Carey University placed #9 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Mississippi. William Carey University scores 52.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.6, with a gender-diversity score of 91.2.
Delta State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 52.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 52.4, and gender diversity 94.7.
Wesley Biblical Seminary landed the #11 spot in Mississippi this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 52.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.4, with a gender-diversity score of 86.1.
Blue Mountain Christian University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 49.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 49.2, alongside a 99.1 gender-diversity score.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #13 position in Mississippi. It scores 49.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 49.1, alongside a 95.2 gender-diversity score.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 49.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 49.0, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
Meridian Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Meridian Community College scores 47.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.6, alongside a 87.1 gender-diversity score.
Mississippi State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Mississippi State University scores 47.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 47.3, and gender diversity 99.9.
Southwest Mississippi Community College earned the #17 position in Mississippi. It scores 46.0 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 46.0, alongside a 96.5 gender-diversity score.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. It scores 45.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 45.1, with a gender-diversity score of 96.2.
University of Mississippi ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. The school's ethnic diversity score is 44.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 44.8, alongside a 97.9 gender-diversity score.
Holmes Community College earned the #20 position in Mississippi. Holmes Community College scores 44.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 44.3, with a gender-diversity score of 89.9.
Jones County Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 43.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 43.6, with a gender-diversity score of 95.7.
Mississippi University for Women ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Mississippi University for Women scores 43.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 43.3, and gender diversity 74.3.
Corinth Academy of Cosmetology earned the #23 position in Mississippi. Corinth Academy of Cosmetology scores 42.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 42.3, with a gender-diversity score of 13.9.
Itawamba Community College earned the #24 position in Mississippi. On ethnic diversity, it scores 42.1 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.1, and gender diversity 94.3.
Pearl River Community College placed #25 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Mississippi. The school's ethnic diversity score is 41.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 41.5, alongside a 91.8 gender-diversity score.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the most ethnically diverse this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking 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.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.