1
Our analysis found Divers Institute of Technology to be the most geographically diverse college in Washington. It scores 56.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 50.9, with a gender-diversity score of 28.5.
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 75 schools that stand out for their student bodies in Washington, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the geographic origins of the student body (how widely students are drawn from across the country and the world). To help you decide, College Factual reviewed 75 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. 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? Check out College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Divers Institute of Technology to be the most geographically diverse college in Washington. It scores 56.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 50.9, with a gender-diversity score of 28.5.
You'll find a welcoming community at Whitman College, which ranked #2 this year. It scores 48.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 62.6, alongside a 98.8 gender-diversity score.
A rank of #3 makes Walla Walla University one of the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. It scores 45.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.2, with a gender-diversity score of 99.6.
A rank of #4 makes University of Puget Sound one of the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. On geographic diversity, it scores 41.7 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 54.4, and gender diversity 97.7.
Gonzaga University earned the #5 place in Washington. On geographic diversity, it scores 37.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 62.2, with a gender-diversity score of 98.7.
Faith International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 37.0 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.5, and gender diversity 99.9.
Seattle University landed the #7 spot in Washington this year. Seattle University scores 36.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 78.5, with a gender-diversity score of 94.8.
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education earned the #8 position in Washington. It scores 33.0 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.0, alongside a 99.1 gender-diversity score.
Cornish College of the Arts ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 32.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 55.4, with a gender-diversity score of 88.9.
DigiPen Institute of Technology came in at #10 in this year's ranking. DigiPen Institute of Technology scores 32.7 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.6, with a gender-diversity score of 86.8.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus earned the #11 position in Washington. The school's geographic diversity score is 31.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 81.1, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
Northwest Indian College placed #12 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. On geographic diversity, it scores 27.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 39.0, with a gender-diversity score of 81.4.
The Evergreen State College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. It scores 24.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 63.7, and gender diversity 96.1.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. It scores 21.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 77.9, with a gender-diversity score of 90.7.
Whitworth University placed #15 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. Whitworth University scores 21.7 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.3, with a gender-diversity score of 98.2.
Western Washington University placed #16 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. It scores 19.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 52.5, and gender diversity 98.3.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #17 position in Washington. On geographic diversity, it scores 18.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 72.7, with a gender-diversity score of 92.9.
Walla Walla Community College placed #18 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Washington. The school's geographic diversity score is 18.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.5, alongside a 98.7 gender-diversity score.
Washington State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. The school's geographic diversity score is 16.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 64.0, alongside a 99.5 gender-diversity score.
Northwest University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Northwest University scores 15.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.1, alongside a 95.4 gender-diversity score.
Saint Martin's University earned the #21 position in Washington. Saint Martin's University scores 14.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 79.1, and gender diversity 99.4.
Grays Harbor College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Grays Harbor College scores 13.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 63.6, and gender diversity 100.0.
Big Bend Community College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. It scores 12.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 53.4, alongside a 97.5 gender-diversity score.
Lower Columbia College earned the #24 position in Washington. On geographic diversity, it scores 11.1 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.4, alongside a 87.9 gender-diversity score.
Academy of Interactive Entertainment ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 10.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity.
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 geographic origins of the student body (how widely students are drawn from across the country and the world). 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
See our data sources and methodologies.
