by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. The ranking below was designed to help you find 1083 schools that stand out for their student bodies in Southeast, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on 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 1083 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.
Ready to build your own comparison? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Explore the leading colleges below:
American Public University System earned the #1 spot in this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in Southeast. It scores 68.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 70.6, with a gender-diversity score of 93.5.
You'll find a welcoming community at Columbia Southern University, which ranked #2 this year. Columbia Southern University scores 68.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 56.5, alongside a 93.9 gender-diversity score.
Eckerd College came in at #3 on this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in Southeast. The school's geographic diversity score is 66.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 42.5, with a gender-diversity score of 87.4.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #4 on this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in Southeast. It scores 65.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 36.4, and gender diversity 76.1.
Out of the 1083 colleges in Southeast in this year's ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #5 spot. It scores 65.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 72.7, with a gender-diversity score of 98.8.
South University-Savannah Online earned the #6 position in Southeast. It scores 65.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 64.1, with a gender-diversity score of 81.2.
Savannah College of Art and Design placed #7 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Southeast. The school's geographic diversity score is 65.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 69.7, alongside a 87.9 gender-diversity score.
Full Sail University placed #8 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Southeast. On geographic diversity, it scores 65.2 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 67.5, and gender diversity 90.7.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 64.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 69.5, with a gender-diversity score of 69.9.
Ultimate Medical Academy ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 64.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 41.4, and gender diversity 22.1.
Davidson College landed the #11 spot in Southeast this year. On geographic diversity, it scores 63.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.5, alongside a 99.6 gender-diversity score.
Washington and Lee University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 63.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 55.1, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
Duke University landed the #13 spot in Southeast this year. Duke University scores 63.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 76.1, and gender diversity 98.9.
Tulane University of Louisiana placed #14 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Southeast. On geographic diversity, it scores 63.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 66.4, with a gender-diversity score of 96.2.
Wake Forest University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. It scores 62.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 62.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.6.
Liberty University placed #16 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Southeast. The school's geographic diversity score is 62.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 65.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.5.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach scores 62.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 73.1, with a gender-diversity score of 87.2.
University of Arkansas Grantham landed the #18 spot in Southeast this year. University of Arkansas Grantham scores 62.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.8, and gender diversity 95.7.
University of Richmond earned the #19 position in Southeast. The school's geographic diversity score is 62.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.5, alongside a 98.8 gender-diversity score.
Emory University placed #20 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Southeast. The school's geographic diversity score is 61.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 77.7, with a gender-diversity score of 96.4.
Ave Maria University earned the #21 position in Southeast. It scores 60.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.1, and gender diversity 99.8.
Southern Adventist University earned the #22 position in Southeast. It scores 60.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 71.8, with a gender-diversity score of 99.0.
Emory University-Oxford College earned the #23 position in Southeast. It scores 59.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 74.3, with a gender-diversity score of 99.7.
Hampton University earned the #24 position in Southeast. On geographic diversity, it scores 58.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 12.9, alongside a 91.7 gender-diversity score.
American National University landed the #25 spot in Southeast this year. On geographic diversity, it scores 58.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.5, alongside a 81.9 gender-diversity score.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
Explore the rest of the top 20% below:
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Wheeling University | 53.4 |
| 52 | Warren Wilson College | 53.2 |
| 53 | Lynn University | 53.0 |
| 54 | Coastal Carolina University | 52.6 |
| 55 | Bennett College | 52.5 |
| 56 | The University of Alabama | 52.4 |
| 57 | Belmont Abbey College | 52.2 |
| 58 | Harding University | 52.1 |
| 59 | Beacon College | 52.0 |
| 60 | Southern Virginia University | 51.9 |
| 61 | Bob Jones University | 51.8 |
| 62 | Jacksonville University | 51.6 |
| 63 | Covenant College | 51.5 |
| 64 | American College of the Building Arts | 51.3 |
| 65 | Virginia University of Lynchburg | 51.2 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Tuskegee University | 50.9 |
| 67 | College of Charleston | 50.1 |
| 68 | Livingstone College | 49.5 |
| 69 | Appalachian Bible College | 49.4 |
| 70 | NASCAR Technical Institute | 49.3 |
| 71 | Marion Military Institute | 49.1 |
| 72 | Palm Beach Atlantic University | 48.9 |
| 73 | St. Andrews University | 47.2 |
| 74 | Samford University | 47.1 |
| 75 | Tennessee State University | 47.0 |
| 76 | Berea College | 47.0 |
| 77 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | 46.9 |
| 78 | NationsUniversity | 46.5 |
| 79 | Rollins College | 46.2 |
| 80 | Rust College | 46.2 |
| 81 | Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | 46.1 |
| 82 | Sweet Briar College | 46.0 |
| 83 | King University | 45.9 |
| 84 | Lees-McRae College | 45.8 |
| 85 | Flagler College | 45.7 |
| 86 | Southeastern University | 45.6 |
| 87 | Queens University of Charlotte | 45.5 |
| 88 | Bethany College | 45.3 |
| 89 | Asbury University | 44.2 |
| 90 | Loyola University New Orleans | 42.9 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Carolina University | 42.8 |
| 92 | Life University | 42.8 |
| 93 | John Brown University | 42.7 |
| 94 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | 42.5 |
| 95 | Davis & Elkins College | 42.4 |
| 96 | Johnson University | 42.3 |
| 97 | Lee University | 42.3 |
| 98 | Alabama State University | 42.2 |
| 99 | University of Charleston | 42.1 |
| 100 | Shaw University | 41.8 |
| 101 | Grambling State University | 41.8 |
| 102 | Clemson University | 41.6 |
| 103 | Welch College | 41.5 |
| 104 | Alabama A & M University | 41.2 |
| 105 | Montreat College | 41.1 |
| 106 | Nova Southeastern University | 41.1 |
| 107 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | 40.8 |
| 108 | Mississippi Valley State University | 40.7 |
| 109 | Belhaven University | 40.5 |
| 110 | William & Mary | 40.4 |
| 111 | Auburn University | 40.4 |
| 112 | Everglades University | 40.3 |
| 113 | Kentucky Horseshoeing School | 40.3 |
| 114 | Florida Southern College | 40.1 |
| 115 | Centre College | 40.1 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Tusculum University | 40.0 |
| 117 | Johnson C Smith University | 39.9 |
| 118 | Emory & Henry University | 39.8 |
| 119 | Union Commonwealth University | 39.8 |
| 120 | West Virginia University | 39.7 |
| 121 | Paine College | 39.6 |
| 122 | Salem University | 39.3 |
| 123 | Miles College | 39.2 |
| 124 | Mars Hill University | 39.1 |
| 125 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 39.1 |
| 126 | Dillard University | 39.0 |
| 127 | Allen University | 38.9 |
| 128 | Kentucky Welding Institute | 38.9 |
| 129 | Brevard College | 38.7 |
| 130 | North Carolina A & T State University | 38.4 |
| 131 | Lipscomb University | 38.4 |
| 132 | University of the Potomac-VA Campus | 38.4 |
| 133 | Spring Hill College | 38.3 |
| 134 | University of Kentucky | 38.3 |
| 135 | SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville | 38.2 |
| 136 | Lincoln Memorial University | 38.2 |
| 137 | Kentucky State University | 38.1 |
| 138 | Kentucky Christian University | 38.0 |
| 139 | Milligan University | 37.3 |
| 140 | Bridges Christian College | 37.3 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | Freed-Hardeman University | 36.9 |
| 142 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 36.8 |
| 143 | Wofford College | 36.7 |
| 144 | Wingate University | 36.6 |
| 145 | Philander Smith University | 36.6 |
| 146 | West Virginia Wesleyan College | 36.5 |
| 147 | Voorhees University | 36.5 |
| 148 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 36.5 |
| 149 | Virginia Military Institute | 36.4 |
| 150 | Lane College | 36.4 |
| 151 | Union University | 36.1 |
| 152 | Ecclesia College | 36.1 |
| 153 | Chowan University | 36.1 |
| 154 | Mississippi State University | 35.8 |
| 155 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 35.6 |
| 156 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | 35.4 |
| 157 | Talladega College | 35.2 |
| 158 | Gardner-Webb University | 34.9 |
| 159 | Hollins University | 34.9 |
| 160 | University of the Ozarks | 34.8 |
| 161 | Methodist University | 34.8 |
| 162 | University of Lynchburg | 34.7 |
| 163 | West Virginia State University | 34.5 |
These schools also stood out:
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 164 | Barry University | 34.0 |
| 165 | South College | 33.9 |
| 166 | Crowley’s Ridge College | 33.5 |
| 167 | Lyon College | 33.5 |
| 168 | Southern Wesleyan University | 33.5 |
| 169 | Columbia International University | 33.3 |
| 170 | Saint Leo University | 32.8 |
| 171 | Le Moyne-Owen College | 32.7 |
| 172 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | 32.6 |
| 173 | Kentucky Wesleyan College | 32.6 |
| 174 | Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville | 32.6 |
| 175 | Averett University | 32.4 |
| 176 | Shenandoah University | 32.3 |
| 177 | Marymount University | 32.3 |
| 178 | Presbyterian College | 32.2 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | MyComputerCareer at Raleigh | 32.2 |
| 180 | Christian Brothers University | 31.7 |
| 181 | Hampden-Sydney College | 31.7 |
| 182 | Mid-Atlantic Christian University | 31.6 |
| 183 | University of Arkansas | 31.6 |
| 184 | Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service | 31.5 |
| 185 | Coker University | 31.5 |
| 186 | Champion Christian College | 31.3 |
| 187 | Millsaps College | 31.2 |
| 188 | Roanoke College | 31.2 |
| 189 | Trevecca Nazarene University | 31.1 |
| 190 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | 30.9 |
| 191 | Bluefield University | 30.8 |
| 192 | United States Sports University | 30.8 |
| 193 | Erskine College | 30.8 |
| 194 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | 30.7 |
| 195 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 30.5 |
| 196 | Benedict College | 30.2 |
| 197 | Delta State University | 30.1 |
| 198 | Newberry College | 30.0 |
| Rank | College | Geographic Diversity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Eastern Mennonite University | 29.8 |
| 200 | Agnes Scott College | 29.7 |
| 201 | Cape Fear Community College | 29.6 |
| 202 | University of the Cumberlands | 29.6 |
| 203 | Atlantis University | 29.6 |
| 204 | Brescia University | 29.4 |
| 205 | West Liberty University | 29.4 |
| 206 | Stetson University | 29.4 |
| 207 | Murray State University | 29.3 |
| 208 | Bryan College-Dayton | 29.2 |
| 209 | Ana G. Mendez University | 29.2 |
| 210 | Southern University and A & M College | 29.1 |
| 211 | Converse University | 28.7 |
| 212 | South Carolina State University | 28.5 |
| 213 | North Carolina Wesleyan University | 28.5 |
| 214 | University of Mount Olive | 28.5 |
| 215 | Limestone University | 28.5 |
| 216 | Charleston Southern University | 28.4 |
| 217 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 28.4 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs 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.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
