Which college is the most diverse in America?

I'm big on diversity and openness in the student body. Been trying to figure out, which college in the US boasts the greatest diversity? And how do they generally measure that - is it just racial and ethnic background, or do they take into account things like international students, different socio-economic backgrounds, etc? Would love your thoughts.

"Diversity" can be a term that encompasses many different factors, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, financial status, country of origin, and many other demographic aspects. Often, colleges measure diversity through a multi-faceted lens to achieve a broad understanding of their student body's characteristics. The diversity of a campus can significantly contribute to the richness of the learning environment and the overall college experience.

Several resources provide rankings for diverse colleges in the U.S., but it's worth noting that methods and key metrics vary between them. One of the most commonly used rankings in this regard is the annual U.S. News & World Report. In its rankings, it takes into account both ethnic diversity and the proportion of international students. In the most recent data, the University of Hawaii--Manoa and Andrews University in Michigan top the list for ethnic diversity among national universities.

It's also important to consider socioeconomic diversity. The New York Times created the College Access Index, a measure of economic diversity, by examining the number of students who receive Pell Grants (commonly given to students whose family makes less than $60,000) and the graduation rate of these students. According to the most recent index, the University of California, Irvine, tops the list.

However, keep in mind that "diversity" can indeed stretch beyond these measurements. Diversity in terms of academic interests, life experiences, religious beliefs, political opinions, and many other factors can contribute to a robust and varied learning environment. These sorts of diversity are harder to quantify but are worth considering in your college search.

In conclusion, different colleges will rank differently depending on the specific aspect of diversity you're looking at. Therefore, I'd recommend first identifying what kind(s) of diversity are most important to you and then looking into colleges known for that type of diversity.