2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region
Which colleges in the Southeast Region are succeeding at true diversity? Check out this ranking to find out.
We analyzed 913 colleges and universities across the Southeast Region to determine which were the most diverse. The four factors we consider to determine overall diversity includes: race and ethnicity of the students, location of origin, age, and male to female ratio.
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
One Size Does Not Fit All
To further customize your search, try narrowing your list by location. You can also check out rankings for racial-ethnic diversity, male/female diversity, or geographic diversity. Or explore other college rankings that prioritize different factors.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another!
Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Vanderbilt University tops this year’s ranking as the most diverse school in the Southeast Region . Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and has a fairly large student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 2,280 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt is $69,000 during the early years of their career.
Request Information
The excellent diversity at Duke University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most diverse schools in the Southeast Region . Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 2,303 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 48% falling into the traditional age range. During the early years of their career, graduates from Duke make an average of $84,400 a year.
Request Information
You’ll be in good (and diverse) company if you decide to attend University of Miami. It ranked #3 on our 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the fairly large , private not-for-profit school awarded 3,118 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
A significant number of the students are international, about 12.29% of the student body. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from U Miami make an average of $60,100 per year during the early years of their career.
Full University of Miami Report
Request Information
The excellent diversity at Emory University-Oxford College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most diverse schools in the Southeast Region . A small institution, Emory University-Oxford College is private not-for-profit.
Request Information
You’ll be in good (and diverse) company if you decide to attend Southern Adventist University. It ranked #5 on our 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. This small , private not-for-profit school is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and it awarded 511 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 64% falling into the traditional age range. Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $38,500 during the early years of their career.
Request Information
Emory University landed the #6 spot on the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. This fairly large , private not-for-profit school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 2,598 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
About 18.19% of the students are international. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Emory go into careers with an average salary of $66,000.
Request Information
If you crave a diverse college experience, GMU, coming in at #7 in our latest diversity ranking, could be the right place for you. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large , public school awarded 5,866 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 48% falling into the traditional age range. Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $59,900 during the early years of their career.
Request Information
If you crave a diverse college experience, U of Richmond, coming in at #8 in our latest diversity ranking, could be the right place for you. U of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution located in University of Richmond, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,005 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
A significant number of the students are international, about 10.28% of the student body. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from U of Richmond make an average of $64,500 per year during the early years of their career.
Request Information
With a ranking of #9, Everglades University did quite well on the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. This small , private not-for-profit school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 353 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
Roughly 8% of the students fall into a traditional age range, meaning this school has higher than average age diversity. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Everglades U make an average of $42,100 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Everglades University Report
Request Information
American Public University System came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, the large , private for-profit school awarded 5,873 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
This school has a higher percentage than average of non-traditional aged students. Only 8% of the students fall into a traditional age range, adding to the overall diversity score. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from American Military University go into careers with an average salary of $62,400.
Full American Public University System Report
Request Information
Lynn University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. Lynn University Fighting Knights is located in Boca Raton, Florida and has a small student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 449 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.
A significant number of the students are international, about 15.9% of the student body. The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Lynn University Fighting Knights is $39,300 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Lynn University
Request Information
Davidson College landed the #12 spot on the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Davidson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Davidson, North Carolina. It awarded 560 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Davidson is $58,900 during the early years of their career.
Request Information
Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized , private not-for-profit school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,431 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
11.41% of the students come from out of the country. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University make an average of $63,800 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Wake Forest University Report
Request Information
Salem International University did quite well in the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #14. Salem International University is a private for-profit institution located in Salem, West Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 124 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 35% falling into the traditional age range. The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Salem International University is $28,900 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Salem International University
Request Information
Southeastern University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. SEU is located in Lakeland, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 860 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 53% falling into the traditional age range. The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SEU is $34,800 during the early years of their career.
Full Southeastern University Report
Request Information
Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well in the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #16. Tulane University of Louisiana is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 2,417 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 59% falling into the traditional age range. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Tulane go into careers with an average salary of $61,700.
Request Information
Coming in at #17 for 2021 overall diversity in the Southeast Region is Life. Located in Marietta, Georgia, the small , private not-for-profit school handed out 144 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Life go into careers with an average salary of $35,600.
Request Information
Liberty University landed the #18 spot on the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large , private not-for-profit school handed out 9,140 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
Roughly 24% of the students fall into a traditional age range, meaning this school has higher than average age diversity. During the early years of their career, graduates from Liberty University make an average of $36,700 a year.
Full Liberty University Report
Request Information
Washington and Lee University did quite well in the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Lexington, Virginia, the small , private not-for-profit school awarded 564 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee go into careers with an average salary of $76,100.
Full Washington and Lee University Report
Request Information
Coming in at #20 for 2021 overall diversity in the Southeast Region is SVU. Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Buena Vista, Virginia that handed out 168 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
During the early years of their career, graduates from SVU make an average of $36,000 a year.
Full Southern Virginia University Report
Request Information
Columbia Southern University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school situated in Orange Beach, Alabama. It awarded 3,339 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
Request Information
Rhodes College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 561 students in 2018-2019.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College make an average of $53,600 per year during the early years of their career.
Request Information
Full Sail University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Winter Park, Florida, the large , private for-profit school awarded 3,255 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
There is high student age diversity at this school with about 36% falling into the traditional age range. During the early years of their career, graduates from Full Sail University make an average of $39,300 a year.
Full Full Sail University Report
Request Information
If you crave a diverse college experience, Georgia State, coming in at #24 in our latest diversity ranking, could be the right place for you. This large , public school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 5,196 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
This school has a higher percentage than average of non-traditional aged students. Only 55% of the students fall into a traditional age range, adding to the overall diversity score. Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State go into careers with an average salary of $43,300.
Full Georgia State University Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #25, The University of Tampa did quite well on the 2021 Most Diverse Colleges in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized , private not-for-profit school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 1,775 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from U of Tampa go into careers with an average salary of $48,600.
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Most Diverse Schools in the Southeast Region
Not only did these schools make the top most-diverse list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Colleges by State
View Most Diverse Colleges Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Diverse Schools in the Southeast Region
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA |
| 52 | Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL |
| 53 | Sewanee - The University of the South | Sewanee, TN |
| 54 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA |
| 55 | Methodist University | Fayetteville, NC |
| 56 | Guilford College | Greensboro, NC |
| 57 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA |
| 58 | Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC |
| 59 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 60 | Johnson & Wales University - North Miami | North Miami, FL |
| 61 | University of South Carolina - Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| 62 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Sarasota, FL |
| 63 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR |
| 64 | Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL |
| 65 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Brevard College | Brevard, NC |
| 117 | Averett University | Danville, VA |
| 118 | Chowan University | Murfreesboro, NC |
| 119 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN |
| 120 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville, NC |
| 121 | Coker College | Hartsville, SC |
| 122 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC |
| 123 | Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL |
| 124 | Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee, FL |
| 125 | Limestone College | Gaffney, SC |
| 126 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 127 | Emmanuel College Georgia | Franklin Springs, GA |
| 128 | Greensboro College | Greensboro, NC |
| 129 | Belmont University | Nashville, TN |
| 130 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA |
| 131 | Palm Beach Atlantic University | West Palm Beach, FL |
| 132 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA |
| 133 | The University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL |
| 134 | Catawba College | Salisbury, NC |
| 135 | Bethel University | McKenzie, TN |
| 136 | Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL |
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our Most Diverse Colleges ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 137 | Florida Keys Community College | Key West, FL |
| 138 | Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 139 | Talladega College | Talladega, AL |
| 140 | University of Memphis | Memphis, TN |
| 141 | Emory and Henry College | Emory, VA |
| 142 | Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 143 | Tusculum College | Greeneville, TN |
| 144 | Mid - Atlantic Christian University | Elizabeth City, NC |
| 145 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC |
| 146 | North Carolina Wesleyan College | Rocky Mount, NC |
| 147 | Wingate University | Wingate, NC |
| 148 | Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC |
| 149 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL |
| 150 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL |
| 151 | Thomas University | Thomasville, GA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 152 | Lyon College | Batesville, AR |
| 153 | Mars Hill University | Mars Hill, NC |
| 154 | Virginia Baptist College | Fredericksburg, VA |
| 155 | Ferrum College | Ferrum, VA |
| 156 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL |
| 157 | Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton, VA |
| 158 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR |
| 159 | The Art Institute of Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 160 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| 161 | Daymar College - Clarksville | Clarksville, TN |
| 162 | Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN |
| 163 | Presbyterian College | Clinton, SC |
| 164 | Warner University | Lake Wales, FL |
| 165 | Union College Kentucky | Barbourville, KY |
| 166 | Hobe Sound Bible College | Hobe Sound, FL |
| 167 | Shaw University | Raleigh, NC |
| 168 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC |
| 169 | Brewton - Parker College | Mount Vernon, GA |
| 170 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL |
| 171 | College of Charleston | Charleston, SC |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 172 | Belhaven University | Jackson, MS |
| 173 | Georgia Highlands College | Rome, GA |
| 174 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC |
| 175 | Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA |
| 176 | Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA |
| 177 | Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL |
| 178 | Barton College | Wilson, NC |
| 179 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN |
| 180 | Central Baptist College | Conway, AR |
| 181 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN |
| 182 | Erskine College | Due West, SC |
More Southeast Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.
