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Leading the list is University of Mary, our #1 most geographically diverse college in North Dakota. It scores 51.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 48.3, with a gender-diversity score of 96.5.
by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. The ranking below was designed to help you find 22 schools that stand out for their student bodies in North Dakota, 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 reviewed 22 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal mix depends on what matters most to you. Drill down 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 to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is University of Mary, our #1 most geographically diverse college in North Dakota. It scores 51.1 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 48.3, with a gender-diversity score of 96.5.
University of Jamestown earned the #2 place in North Dakota. It scores 45.5 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 54.5, alongside a 100.0 gender-diversity score.
University of North Dakota earned the #3 place in North Dakota. University of North Dakota scores 37.3 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 51.9, alongside a 100.0 gender-diversity score.
Dakota College at Bottineau came in at #4 on this year's Most Geographically Diverse Colleges ranking in North Dakota. Dakota College at Bottineau scores 35.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 44.2, with a gender-diversity score of 94.3.
You'll find a welcoming community at Dickinson State University, which ranked #5 this year. Dickinson State University scores 34.6 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 47.9, and gender diversity 97.8.
Valley City State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. On geographic diversity, it scores 33.4 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 35.5, with a gender-diversity score of 96.5.
Minot State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 32.6 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.1, with a gender-diversity score of 95.9.
Mayville State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. It scores 32.6 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 41.0, alongside a 93.7 gender-diversity score.
Lake Region State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 24.6 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 46.1, with a gender-diversity score of 96.5.
United Tribes Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 24.5 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 9.1, alongside a 91.5 gender-diversity score.
Williston State College earned the #11 position in North Dakota. The school's geographic diversity score is 24.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 62.3, and gender diversity 95.6.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus earned the #12 position in North Dakota. The school's geographic diversity score is 23.7 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 41.1, alongside a 99.9 gender-diversity score.
North Dakota State College of Science ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. The school's geographic diversity score is 23.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 43.8, alongside a 99.8 gender-diversity score.
Lynnes Welding Training placed #14 among the most geographically diverse colleges in North Dakota. On geographic diversity, it scores 18.4 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 52.1, alongside a 68.5 gender-diversity score.
Sitting Bull College placed #15 among the most geographically diverse colleges in North Dakota. The school's geographic diversity score is 14.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 19.7, and gender diversity 92.6.
Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Fargo came in at #16 in this year's ranking. On geographic diversity, it scores 13.8 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 47.6, and gender diversity 23.1.
The Salon Professional Academy - Fargo earned the #17 position in North Dakota. On geographic diversity, it scores 12.9 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 40.1, and gender diversity 14.2.
Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body, Grand Forks came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body, Grand Forks scores 12.9 out of 100 for geographic diversity.
Bismarck State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Bismarck State College scores 11.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.7, alongside a 100.0 gender-diversity score.
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College scores 6.2 out of 100 for geographic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 55.8, with a gender-diversity score of 89.7.
Turtle Mountain Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the most geographically diverse colleges. On geographic diversity, it scores 4.3 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 13.8, and gender diversity 95.8.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. The school's geographic diversity score is 0.0 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 29.7, and gender diversity 91.1.
*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.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
