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University of Arkansas Grantham tops our 2026 ranking of the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. It scores 62.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.8, with a gender-diversity score of 95.7.
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 56 institutions by geographic diversity in Arkansas, 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). So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 56 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Explore the leading colleges below:
University of Arkansas Grantham tops our 2026 ranking of the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. It scores 62.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.8, with a gender-diversity score of 95.7.
Out of the 56 colleges in Arkansas in this year's ranking, Harding University landed the #2 spot. On geographic diversity, it scores 52.1 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 41.6, with a gender-diversity score of 98.4.
John Brown University came in at #3 on this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in Arkansas. John Brown University scores 42.7 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 55.3, and gender diversity 96.6.
Philander Smith University came in at #4 on this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in Arkansas. The school's geographic diversity score is 36.6 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 40.7, with a gender-diversity score of 99.8.
Out of the 56 colleges in Arkansas in this year's ranking, Ecclesia College landed the #5 spot. It scores 36.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 64.8, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
University of the Ozarks came in at #6 in this year's ranking. It scores 34.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 67.2, and gender diversity 99.0.
Crowley's Ridge College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 33.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.6, with a gender-diversity score of 99.8.
Lyon College earned the #8 position in Arkansas. The school's geographic diversity score is 33.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 66.4, and gender diversity 97.8.
University of Arkansas came in at #9 in this year's ranking. University of Arkansas scores 31.6 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 50.7, with a gender-diversity score of 99.2.
Champion Christian College placed #10 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. The school's geographic diversity score is 31.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 58.9, with a gender-diversity score of 92.3.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 28.4 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 26.3, and gender diversity 99.4.
Hendrix College landed the #12 spot in Arkansas this year. On geographic diversity, it scores 28.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.7, and gender diversity 100.0.
Central Baptist College landed the #13 spot in Arkansas this year. The school's geographic diversity score is 27.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 61.0, with a gender-diversity score of 98.6.
Arkansas State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Arkansas State University scores 25.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 53.6, alongside a 92.3 gender-diversity score.
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain placed #15 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. On geographic diversity, it scores 24.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 38.7, alongside a 95.8 gender-diversity score.
Ouachita Baptist University landed the #16 spot in Arkansas this year. It scores 23.7 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 35.2, and gender diversity 98.6.
Arkansas State University Mid-South placed #17 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. On geographic diversity, it scores 19.1 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 47.5, with a gender-diversity score of 98.5.
Henderson State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. On geographic diversity, it scores 19.1 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 50.7, and gender diversity 97.2.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #19 spot in Arkansas this year. It scores 18.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 48.4, with a gender-diversity score of 91.5.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #20 among the most geographically diverse colleges in Arkansas. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus scores 17.8 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 60.4, with a gender-diversity score of 98.1.
Williams Baptist University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. On geographic diversity, it scores 17.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 39.6, with a gender-diversity score of 100.0.
North Arkansas College landed the #22 spot in Arkansas this year. The school's geographic diversity score is 12.3 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 36.1, alongside a 98.4 gender-diversity score.
University of Arkansas at Monticello landed the #23 spot in Arkansas this year. It scores 11.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.3, with a gender-diversity score of 95.8.
South Arkansas College landed the #24 spot in Arkansas this year. It scores 11.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 50.1, with a gender-diversity score of 87.7.
Paul Mitchell the School Arkansas landed the #25 spot in Arkansas this year. On geographic diversity, it scores 11.1 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.3, alongside a 26.4 gender-diversity score.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
