1
Furman University tops our 2026 ranking of the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. Furman University scores 54.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.4, and gender diversity 97.6.
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 68 colleges by geographic diversity in South Carolina, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the geographic origins of the student body (how widely students are drawn from across the country and the world). To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 68 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.
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:
Furman University tops our 2026 ranking of the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. Furman University scores 54.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.4, and gender diversity 97.6.
You'll find a welcoming community at Coastal Carolina University, which ranked #2 this year. Coastal Carolina University scores 52.6 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 52.7, and gender diversity 99.2.
A rank of #3 makes Bob Jones University one of the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. On geographic diversity, it scores 51.8 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.4, with a gender-diversity score of 99.4.
A rank of #4 makes American College of the Building Arts one of the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. It scores 51.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 21.9, with a gender-diversity score of 66.1.
Out of the 68 colleges in South Carolina in this year's ranking, College of Charleston landed the #5 spot. The school's geographic diversity score is 50.1 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 41.7, with a gender-diversity score of 90.0.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 42.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 46.5, alongside a 82.5 gender-diversity score.
Clemson University earned the #7 position in South Carolina. It scores 41.6 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 50.0, and gender diversity 99.8.
University of South Carolina-Columbia came in at #8 in this year's ranking. The school's geographic diversity score is 40.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.2, with a gender-diversity score of 97.7.
Allen University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 38.9 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 13.5, alongside a 99.2 gender-diversity score.
Wofford College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. It scores 36.7 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 37.7, and gender diversity 99.8.
Voorhees University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. The school's geographic diversity score is 36.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 38.0, and gender diversity 99.7.
Southern Wesleyan University placed #12 among the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. It scores 33.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 46.9, alongside a 89.4 gender-diversity score.
Columbia International University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. It scores 33.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 69.3, alongside a 99.3 gender-diversity score.
Presbyterian College landed the #14 spot in South Carolina this year. Presbyterian College scores 32.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 57.2, alongside a 99.0 gender-diversity score.
Coker University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. It scores 31.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 67.2, alongside a 98.8 gender-diversity score.
Erskine College earned the #16 position in South Carolina. On geographic diversity, it scores 30.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.4, and gender diversity 87.8.
Benedict College landed the #17 spot in South Carolina this year. The school's geographic diversity score is 30.2 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 41.1, alongside a 99.9 gender-diversity score.
Newberry College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Newberry College scores 30.0 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 60.1, and gender diversity 99.5.
Converse University placed #19 among the most geographically diverse colleges in South Carolina. The school's geographic diversity score is 28.7 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 59.0, with a gender-diversity score of 73.4.
South Carolina State University landed the #20 spot in South Carolina this year. South Carolina State University scores 28.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 18.9, and gender diversity 98.6.
Limestone University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. The school's geographic diversity score is 28.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 70.2, alongside a 99.7 gender-diversity score.
Charleston Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Charleston Southern University scores 28.4 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.6, and gender diversity 95.9.
Anderson University landed the #23 spot in South Carolina this year. The school's geographic diversity score is 27.7 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 45.0, with a gender-diversity score of 97.0.
Clinton College landed the #24 spot in South Carolina this year. It scores 27.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 22.1, with a gender-diversity score of 97.2.
North Greenville University landed the #25 spot in South Carolina this year. It scores 25.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 54.4, and gender diversity 99.3.
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 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.
