Diversity matters at college, and we're not just talking about racial diversity. Attending a school with students from a variety of different social and ethnic backgrounds will help broaden your perspective on many issues and enhance your overall learning experience both inside and outside of the classroom. The Princeton Review's survey of 120,000 college students for the Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition revealed the top ten schools with the most diverse student populations.

1. Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

The "student body is so diverse," it often feels to students as if "there is a little of everything at Temple University." Lists one undergrad, "From Goth to preppy, from European to Asian, from straight male to transsexual, Temple has it all." "Students come from so many diverse backgrounds; no common denominator among them can really be found." This diversity might be "the reason why all students feel welcome here." It also "makes it a great place to learn and live. It's a full cultural experience."

Students who considered Temple University also looked at Lehigh University, Drexel University, Gettysburg College, and La Salle University.

2. Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia)

For such a small student body, Wesleyan College has "an extremely diverse campus in terms of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, musical tastes, and whatnot, and everybody fits in extraordinarily well." "Over 30 countries" are represented among the school's approximately 600 students, and the African American population here is substantial (at over 25 percent). All students enjoy "a great atmosphere of respect where we are able to learn about many different cultures, religions, and beliefs."

Students who considered Wesleyan College also looked at Emory University, Mercer University-Macon, Berry College, and Florida State University.

3. Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Massachusetts)

Mount Holyoke women are "extremely diverse, from ethnicity to race to religion to sexual orientation to individual interests. However, the community works as a whole because of the common interest in academics and openness of the students who attend." Students feel that a "large international population also provides for a very diverse atmosphere." If there is common ground among all students, it is that they are "open-minded, smart, [and] socially aware with at least one issue they are passionate about." Undergraduates "are generally serious about their work, interested in their world, and politically left."

Students who considered Mount Holyoke College also looked at Smith College, Wellesley College, Bryn Mawr College, and Boston University.

4. George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)

"George Mason University is number one in the nation for the most diversity," students claim. One student reports, "On my freshman floor there were kids from seven nations other than America, which is quite diverse for a group of about 30. We also have a huge population of returning students, so depending on which door you wait near, you're just as likely to see a stream of twentysomethings as you are a line of people who could be your parents." Student types run the gamut from "the frat types to the athletes, to sorority girls to the slackers, nerds, rich, poor, and average Joes."

Students who considered George Mason University also looked at James Madison University, The George Washington University, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

5. University of Miami (Coral Gables, Florida)

"University of Miami is one of the most diverse colleges in the nation. One will find all types of ethnicities, religious, and political faiths, as well as cultural backgrounds" here. The Hispanic and Latino communities are substantial, and there are "many international students." As one student puts it, "Miami is like living in a public-service announcement: beautiful setting, racially diverse people, [courses] available in other languages. The average student is upper-middle-class, is at least bilingual, studies during the week and goes out Thursday through Saturday, complains about the freezing weather on 65-degree days, and knows how to snag a private study room in the library and what clubs to go to in South Beach."

Students who considered University of Miami also looked at Vanderbilt University, New York University, University of Southern California, and Florida State University.

6. Wellesley College (Wellesley, Massachusetts)

One student notes that "strong personalities," "diverse" individuals, and a "large range of interests" do not "allow the existence of absolutely typical students" at Wellesley. Though "trends do occur," the "common denominator" among students is their "commitment to academic excellence." Beyond these traits, "Students are extremely diverse--ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically. Because students come from so many backgrounds, no students are truly in the minority, and it is therefore easy for anyone to fit in."

Students who considered Wellesley College also looked at Amherst College, Dartmouth College, Smith College, and Bryn Mawr College.

7. Stanford University (Stanford, California)

"If there is any one thing that typifies a Stanford student, it is that they all fit the 'duck' analogy. Many different backgrounds and experiences are represented at Stanford. "You would never know that he or she spoke fluent German, wrote a novel, or went to the Olympics," a student says of his classmates. "Despite all their accomplishments, they are really down-to-earth and very chill." A senior sums it up best: "We have it all: academics, athletics, myriad activities, gorgeous California weather, and chill California personalities."

Students who considered Stanford University also looked at University of California-Berkeley, Yale University, Princeton University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

8. City University of New York-Hunter College (New York, New York)

Hunter College has made repeated appearances on this publication's "Diverse Student Population" top 20 ranking list, and for good reason. "In terms of socioeconomic status, immigrants, languages, cultures, religion, race, ethnicity, age … Hunter has it all." "Students range in age from newly graduated high-schoolers to retirees." And "There really doesn't seem to be [a] dominant ethnic group." It's the kind of place where "nothing seems too out of the ordinary," "everyone fits in fine," and where it won't surprise you to see a "white punk-rock girl having a friendly conversation with a Muslim girl in the full head-to-toe [garb]."

Students who considered Hunter College also looked at New York University, Fordham University, State University of New York at Binghamton, and State University of New York-Stony Brook University.

9. State University of New York-University at Buffalo (Buffalo, New York)

Because of UB's size, "You can find just about every kind of person there is here. Everyone has a place in this large and diverse student population." As one student notes, "Although the typical student is of traditional college age, there really isn't a 'typical' student--the student body is very diverse in terms of religion, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, and orientation. 'Atypical' students fit in well because of the diversity of the student population." Another student adds, "There are a lot of foreign and minority students, to the point that the actual 'majority' is the minority here at UB."

Students who considered State University of New York-University at Buffalo also looked at State University of New York at Albany, State University of New York at Binghamton, State University of New York-Purchase College, and Syracuse University.

10. University of Maryland-Baltimore County (Baltimore, Maryland)

With minorities making up about one-third of the student body, UMBC is a "truly diverse" place. "The diversity is wonderful," writes one junior. "It gives everyone a chance to learn about different cultures, religions, etc." A few students also note that while "the ethnic, religious, and ideological diversity on the campus means that most people can find some small set of friends or acquaintances with whom they can comfortably spend what free time they have," it also "contributes to a certain cliquishness … which is easily seen by the lack of great interaction between students of different nationalities and races."

Students who considered University of Maryland-Baltimore County also looked at University of Maryland-College Park, Towson University, University of Delaware, and St. Mary's College of Maryland.