Niche.com ranked a total of 936 colleges that are considered to be the most diverse, 36 of which are located in Illinois. Seven statistics as well as student surveys were used to determine the rankings.

Here’s more on the group’s methodology:

The Most Diverse Campus ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the diversity at traditional four-year colleges and universities in the United States. It uses data sourced from various government and public data sets, Niche’s own proprietary data, and 777,115 opinion-based survey responses about campus diversity from 99,714 current students and recent alumni.

A high ranking in diversity generally indicates that:

  • Students report that the campus is extremely diverse and fosters a community that accepts and promotes a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses;
  • Enrolled students come from all over the United States and the world, representing various backgrounds and ethnicities;
  • The college employs a diverse faculty, both in terms of gender and ethnicity.

 

The most diverse colleges in Illinois, according to Niche’s 2015 rankings:

1. University of Chicago (ranked #14 nationally)

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 77%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 2.0 : 1
International Students (%) 10%
Out-of-State Students (%) 76%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 56%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.1 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4.1/5 (90 respondents)

2. Roosevelt University (ranked #92 nationally)

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 73%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 3%
Out-of-State Students 26%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 51%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4.2/5 (76 respondents)

3. Northwestern University (ranked #95 nationally)

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 79%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.8 : 1
International Students 7%
Out-of-State Students 67%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 61%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (99 respondents)

4. Columbia College Chicago

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 83%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.2 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 46%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 61%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4.2./5 (180 respondents)

5. Lake Forest College

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 16%
Out-of-State Students 39%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 70%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4/5 (26 respondents)

6. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.4 : 1
International Students 29%
Out-of-State Students 56%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 67%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.4 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.9/5 (49 respondents)

7. University of Illinois at Chicago

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 70%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 2%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 42%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4.1/5 (186 respondents)

8. Illinois Institute of Technology

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 78%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 2.4 : 1
International Students 15%
Out-of-State Students 21%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 55%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.5 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.9/5 (47 respondents)

9. Northeastern Illinois University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 70%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 0%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 42%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4.1/5 (83 respondents)

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 76%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.9 : 1
International Students 13%
Out-of-State Students 10%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 65%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (300 respondents)

11. University of Illinois at Springfield

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 78%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 6%
Out-of-State Students 3%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 74%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.9/5 (24 respondents)

12. DePaul University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 78%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 35%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 60%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 4/5 (243 respondents)

13. Loyola University Chicago

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 84%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 2%
Out-of-State Students 39%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 67%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.8/5 (174 respondents)

14. North Park University

Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 83%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
International Students 3%
Out-of-State Students 30%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 61%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (32 respondents)

15. McKendree University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity N/A
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) N/A
International Students 5%
Out-of-State Students 16%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 77%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (48 respondents)

16. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 77%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.6 : 1
International Students 2%
Out-of-State Students 9%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 65%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.2 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (126 respondents)

17. Benedictine University

Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 87%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 11%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 57%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.8/5 (30 respondents)

18. Northern Illinois University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 85%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.1 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 5%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 64%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.6/5 (152 respondents)

19. Western Illinois University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 6%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 73%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.1 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (117 respondents)

20. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 7%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 76%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (101 respondents)

21. Wheaton College

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 89%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.9 : 1
International Students 3%
Out-of-State Students 75%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3./5 (47 respondents)

22. Moody Bible Institute

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 83%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 2.4 : 1
International Students 2%
Out-of-State Students 69%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.3/5 (25 respondents)

23. Millikin University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 94%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 16%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 77%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.9/5 (43 respondents)

24. Lewis University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 87%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 7%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 67%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (60 respondents)

25. Dominican University

Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 88%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 9%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 51%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.5 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (38 respondents)

26. Saint Xavier University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 85%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 7%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 58%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.5 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (63 respondents)

27. Eastern Illinois University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 87%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.2 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 4%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 76%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (83 respondents)

28. Chicago State University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 48%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 4%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 89%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.4 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.6/5 (57 respondents)

29. Augustana College

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity N/A
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) N/A
International Students 2%
Out-of-State Students 17%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 84%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.4/5 (34 respondents)

30. Aurora University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity N/A
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) N/A
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 12%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 68%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.7/5 (47 respondents)

31. North Central College

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 91%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.1 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 9%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.6/5 (57 respondents)

32. Illinois Wesleyan University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 91%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.3 : 1
International Students 4%
Out-of-State Students 11%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.2/5 (30 respondents)

33. Elmhurst College

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 88%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.7 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 14%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 76%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.6/5 (63 respondents)

34. Bradley University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity N/A
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) N/A
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 14%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.9 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.4/5 (55 respondents)

35. Olivet Nazarene University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 74%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 2.0 : 1
International Students 1%
Out-of-State Students 42%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 81%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.6 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.3/5 (66 respondents)

36. Illinois State University

Factor Value
Faculty Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 84%
Faculty Gender Ratio (M-F) 1.0 : 1
International Students 0%
Out-of-State Students 1%
Student Diversity – Most Represented Ethnicity 82%
Student Gender Ratio (M-F) 0.8 : 1
Student Surveys on Diversity 3.4/5 (145 respondents)

 

 

NEXT ARTICLE: The best overall colleges in Illinois

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