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 87 colleges that stand out for their student bodies in Minnesota, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the racial and ethnic makeup of the student body. To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 87 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every student measures diversity the same way. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center tops our 2026 ranking of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Minnesota. Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center scores 77.8 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 77.8, with a gender-diversity score of 83.5.
A rank of #2 makes Augsburg University one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Minnesota. On ethnic diversity, it scores 74.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 74.8, and gender diversity 96.9.
Out of the 87 colleges in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Saint Paul College landed the #3 spot. On ethnic diversity, it scores 74.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 74.6, and gender diversity 97.8.
Empire Beauty School-Bloomington earned the #4 place in Minnesota. The school's ethnic diversity score is 73.9 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 73.9, with a gender-diversity score of 18.5.
A rank of #5 makes Minneapolis Community and Technical College one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in Minnesota. On ethnic diversity, it scores 72.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 72.8, and gender diversity 98.2.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 71.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 71.3, with a gender-diversity score of 97.2.
Normandale Community College landed the #7 spot in Minnesota this year. The school's ethnic diversity score is 71.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 71.3, alongside a 98.3 gender-diversity score.
Metropolitan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Metropolitan State University scores 69.8 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.8, with a gender-diversity score of 98.3.
Concordia University-Saint Paul earned the #9 position in Minnesota. The school's ethnic diversity score is 69.8 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 69.8, with a gender-diversity score of 94.7.
Carleton College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. The school's ethnic diversity score is 69.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.8, and gender diversity 100.0.
Macalester College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Macalester College scores 68.3 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 68.3, with a gender-diversity score of 98.2.
Northwestern Health Sciences University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Northwestern Health Sciences University scores 67.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.6, with a gender-diversity score of 92.6.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. On ethnic diversity, it scores 67.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.6, with a gender-diversity score of 97.5.
Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Minnesota School of Cosmetology-Woodbury Campus scores 67.6 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.6, with a gender-diversity score of 13.1.
Herzing University-Minneapolis placed #15 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Minnesota. The school's ethnic diversity score is 67.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.5, and gender diversity 52.5.
Century College placed #16 among the most ethnically diverse colleges in Minnesota. The school's ethnic diversity score is 67.2 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.2, and gender diversity 98.7.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. It scores 67.1 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.1, and gender diversity 99.1.
Rasmussen University-Minnesota came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Rasmussen University-Minnesota scores 66.5 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.5, and gender diversity 61.6.
University of Minnesota-Morris came in at #19 in this year's ranking. It scores 66.4 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.4, and gender diversity 99.5.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science landed the #20 spot in Minnesota this year. The school's ethnic diversity score is 65.7 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 65.7, with a gender-diversity score of 95.6.
Capella University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. Capella University scores 64.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.9, alongside a 64.2 gender-diversity score.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #22 position in Minnesota. Inver Hills Community College scores 64.9 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.9, and gender diversity 96.1.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the most ethnically diverse colleges. On ethnic diversity, it scores 64.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.4, alongside a 92.9 gender-diversity score.
Empire Beauty School-Spring Lake Park earned the #24 position in Minnesota. On ethnic diversity, it scores 64.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 64.2, alongside a 15.5 gender-diversity score.
Walden University landed the #25 spot in Minnesota this year. Walden University scores 64.0 out of 100 for ethnic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 64.0, alongside a 64.6 gender-diversity score.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*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
See our data sources and methodologies.
