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No school ranked more ethnically diverse than George Mason University this year in Virginia. It scores 79.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 79.4, and gender diversity 99.9.
by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 122 colleges by ethnic diversity in Virginia, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body. To help you decide, College Factual reviewed 122 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? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked more ethnically diverse than George Mason University this year in Virginia. It scores 79.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 79.4, and gender diversity 99.9.
You'll find a welcoming community at The Esthetic Institute, which ranked #2 this year. The Esthetic Institute scores 78.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 78.6, alongside a 10.9 gender-diversity score.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #3 place in Virginia. It scores 78.5 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 78.5, alongside a 99.9 gender-diversity score.
A rank of #4 makes Marymount University one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Virginia. It scores 78.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 78.1, and gender diversity 97.0.
You'll find a welcoming community at Avi Career Training, which ranked #5 this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 76.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 76.0, and gender diversity 14.1.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot in Virginia this year. The school's ethnic diversity score is 74.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 74.6, alongside a 93.8 gender-diversity score.
Virginia Wesleyan University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. It scores 73.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 73.9, alongside a 98.8 gender-diversity score.
University of Virginia-Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. University of Virginia-Main Campus scores 71.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 71.1, with a gender-diversity score of 99.6.
Richard Bland College landed the #9 spot in Virginia this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 70.8 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 70.8, alongside a 98.5 gender-diversity score.
South University-Richmond ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. South University-Richmond scores 68.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 68.6, and gender diversity 82.5.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington placed #11 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Virginia. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington scores 68.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 68.6, alongside a 25.7 gender-diversity score.
University of the Potomac-VA Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 68.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 68.6, and gender diversity 98.5.
Regent University landed the #13 spot in Virginia this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 68.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 68.4, with a gender-diversity score of 94.5.
Virginia Peninsula Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 68.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 68.4, and gender diversity 98.8.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #15 spot in Virginia this year. The school's ethnic diversity score is 68.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 68.2, and gender diversity 97.6.
Tidewater Community College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Tidewater Community College scores 68.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 68.1, and gender diversity 98.2.
Old Dominion University landed the #17 spot in Virginia this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 68.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 68.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.9.
Eastern Virginia Medical School placed #18 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Virginia. On ethnic diversity, it scores 67.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.0, with a gender-diversity score of 91.0.
Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage placed #19 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Virginia. The school's ethnic diversity score is 66.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.9, and gender diversity 88.6.
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 66.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.9, alongside a 97.0 gender-diversity score.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University landed the #21 spot in Virginia this year. It scores 66.5 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.5, and gender diversity 98.6.
Germanna Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 66.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 66.4, alongside a 95.8 gender-diversity score.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance - Manassas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. The school's ethnic diversity score is 66.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 66.3, with a gender-diversity score of 39.2.
Randolph College landed the #24 spot in Virginia this year. On ethnic diversity, it scores 66.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.2, with a gender-diversity score of 96.4.
Paul Mitchell the School Mclean landed the #25 spot in Virginia this year. It scores 65.8 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 65.8, and gender diversity 18.9.
These colleges also placed near the top 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.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.