Do the Most Prestigious Schools Have More or Less Diversity?

Research shows that black students are 12% of students at 4-year public institutions. Only 15% of back students attend very selective institutions.

There is plenty of evidence that shows a lack of diversity in prestigious schools. This is important to talk about if we want a more diverse education.

This can also depend on the institute you are looking at going to. College demographics show that certain colleges are more inclusive than others.

Keep reading to find out if prestigious schools are more diverse.

Do Larger Schools Have More Diversity?

Most people assume that racial equality is greater at large schools. After all, there is a larger student population that allows for more diversity.

The reality shows something different, however, as larger colleges have less diversity. When compared to smaller colleges, the diversity is not very impressive.

If larger, more prestigious schools or more diverse, there would be significant diversity. This would include students who are Asian, black, and Hispanic, to name a few.

For instance, Vermont Public school's diversity score is .14. This is because it has 93% of white students with 2% of black students, and 2% of Asian.

This is not considered to be a very good diversity score since the school is not very inclusive. You also have to take into account local campuses and what is more common there.

Some campuses have 90% Hispanic students, which you may think is diverse. But this creates a homogenous school, not a diverse one.

A diverse college should have a good percentage of different ethnicities. Otherwise, it will lean too much in one direction when it comes to the students on campus.

Are Small Schools Diverse?

Gender equality and racial equality are very important in colleges. This is something that the larger more prestigious schools tend to lack.

The good news is that demographics show that smaller schools are more diverse. There are a number of reasons why this may be, depending on the location.

One reason why smaller schools are more diverse is the social aspect. Smaller universities are closer and have more people who already have relationships.

Students may attend that school because they went to high school with other people. Or they may go there because it is close to their hometown.

Some people also gravitate towards small universities for the atmosphere. These colleges are known for being more inviting and inclusive.

With fewer students, everyone is encouraged to interact with each other. Teachers take more interest in their students, and everyone gets to share their ideas.

For most minorities, this creates a safer environment for them to learn. There are most likely more students who are coming from the same background as them.

There is also less chance of them fading into the background if they only make up a small percentage. This is something that often happens at larger universities.

Why Are Larger Colleges Less Diverse?

Part of why more prestigious schools are less diverse is due to culture. These colleges don’t contribute enough effort to being inclusive.

The diversity on these campuses often ends up becoming different social groups. Students of different ethnic backgrounds tend to only connect with similar students.

This may look like diversity on paper, but it doesn’t check off all the boxes. A truly diverse college campus has to create an inclusive environment.

Many larger campuses have hundreds of students and don’t focus on their experience. Students may fall through the cracks and go unnoticed during their education.

The heart of diversity is to get different cultures to mix with one another. This opens up conversations and allows students to feel heard and included.

Simply admitting minorities into a college is not enough. It needs to go above and beyond to make sure they fit in and build relationships.

Some students may also avoid going to these colleges because of their reputation. They may be looking for a place where they feel like they will belong and be appreciated.

Are Certain Locations More Diverse?

The reality is that there are certain locations that have better diversity. Certain states tend to have colleges that rank higher when it comes to their diversity score.

Keep in mind that this also depends on the local population. Certain states have a more diverse general population that contributes to this score.

For instance, a state that has a greater white population will reflect that in its colleges. This is natural and is a factor when looking at the diversity in college locations.

Florida and Nevada are states with the most diversity in their colleges. Other options include New York, California, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Florida is a state that is not considered to have a very diverse general population. That means these colleges are doing something right to attract other ethnicities.

Some states may not have much education diversity due to different institutions. Some research shows that different ethnicities prefer certain college options.

For instance, Asian and white populations tend to prefer private schools. Although, Hispanic and black students are more likely to attend public institutions.

College Locations That Are Least Diverse

We also need to talk about colleges that are the least diverse. There are several reasons why a state may lack diversity when it comes to its education system.

The main reason is often linked to what the general population looks like. There also may be a lack of diversity when it comes to students seeking education.

Research shows that states with stagnant population growth have less diversity in schools. States like Vermont, Maine, and Montana lack diversity.

West Virginia and New Hampshire also have some of the lowest state-level diversity scores. Some of their scores are as low as .19.

This is something that students should consider when they are looking at their options. You can make your search easier by narrowing your options by state.

Benefits of College Diversity

There are so many upsides to having diversity on college campuses. With the US being such a diverse country, this is more important than ever.

Students of all ethnicities need to feel like they belong at these institutions. They shouldn’t be held back by their background or the color of their skin.

Here are some examples of the benefits that come from focusing on campus diversity.

Greater Community

When a campus is diverse, there is a greater feeling of community. There’s no better feeling than seeing students from all walks of life come together.

Many students walk away with good memories from their college days. One of the most important aspects of this is the feeling of having a community around you.

This can be especially important for students who are minorities. They may have felt forgotten or unseen throughout their earlier education.

Equal Opportunities

Diversity directly relates to the opportunities that people get. People who do not go to college are going to be limited when it comes to their career paths.

Minorities have always struggled to choose careers that benefit them. Part of this is contributed to them not being a part of the education system.

Having a diverse campus allows students to have equal opportunities. When they graduate, they will be more likely to go on to diversify the workforce.

Over time, this will benefit so many areas of life. 

Better Understanding

Having a diverse school also increases understanding among students. This helps minorities communicate their feelings and what they go through.

This can help to dispel any misunderstandings and labels people may have. It allows people from all walks of life to interact and get to know each other.

Diversity opens up the possibility of conversations while in a safe space. This is the type of opportunity that most minorities never get to have.

Welcoming Environment

The more diversity a college has, the more minorities it will attract. This is something that creates a cycle where a college will slowly become more diverse each year.

Students will see that diversity on campus and be encouraged by it. The more students they see that are like them, the more welcome they will ultimately feel.

This helps to create a welcoming environment where everyone fits in. This is one of the most important aspects of creating a good college culture.

How to Improve College Diversity

Creating better diversity in prestigious schools is very important. Every student of every background should feel comfortable going to their school of choice.

Even though diversity on campuses is improving, there is a long road ahead. There are certain things that colleges can do to start this process to see results.

Here are some examples of steps campuses can take to attract better diversity.

Diverse Advertisement

Advertisements are very important for college students looking at their options. They may have seen an ad or a commercial about the college they choose.

Colleges need to focus on creating better advertisements when it comes to diversity. Their advertising should include students of all ethnicities so students see someone like them.

This shows that the campus is inviting to everyone. It also shows that the college is putting a focus on inviting minorities.

College Programs

As we mentioned before, it is not enough to just let students in. Colleges need to go above and beyond to make sure diversity is key.

Students should be aware of different college programs and activities. These don’t necessarily have to be focused on diversity only.

These programs should be centered around making students feel welcome. It should provide a safe space where they can meet each other and form relationships.

This is something that is beneficial for all students on campus, not just minorities. It also shows that their educational experience is important.

Colleges can also ask minority students what programs they think would be beneficial.

Diversity in Staff

Something colleges forget about is diversity among their staff. One of the best ways to show inclusivity is through the route of the education system.

This means that colleges need to hire teachers of different ethnicities. This will help students to feel more welcome and motivated to do better.

But this doesn’t just apply to the teachers that are teaching the students. Colleges should hire a diversity of staff in all areas throughout the campus.

Find the Cause

For colleges that don’t have diversity, they need to identify the problem. They won’t be able to find a solution until they do this and know how to proceed.

A college may lack diversity because of the college culture. It would need to rebrand itself and develop opportunities for minorities.

Colleges that lack diversity due to the general population need to find out-of-state students. It may need to offer special scholarships or advertise more.

These are some examples of ways colleges can tackle this problem. It may need to create a plan and a strategy to get the best results.

Schools With More Diversity on Campus

If you are looking at prestigious schools, you may be wondering about diversity. This is a concern that different minorities have when looking at their options.

You may worry that you won’t fit in at the college that you choose. The good news is that there are plenty of diverse schools out there that are improving.

It takes a little research to find the best states and schools for inclusivity.

Are you looking into your college education but you don't know where to start? Contact us today at Honor Society to look at scholarship and career options.