Trends

Top 5 Private Universities in Asian American Representation
By Kelli Luu | 11 Aug, 2025

These 5 private schools aren’t just known for being academic powerhouses, they are also known to have some of the highest Asian student populations in the United States.

Here are the top 5 private universities in the U.S. with the highest percentage of Asian students.

Number 5: The University of Southern California

With strong programs in business and film, USC holds deep ties to the community and the large Asian population in SoCal makes it a cultural fit with 25% of undergraduates identifying as Asian. 

Number 4: Rice University

Known for its prominent STEM programs and excellent faculty, Rice University is located in Houston, Texas where AAPI visibility is growing and Asian students make up for 29% of the campus’ population. 

Number 3: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh comes in at number 3 on this list with 32% of undergraduates being of Asian descent. CMU is a global leader in computer science and robotics so for tech involved students this school is the perfect choice. 

Number 2: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A 4.7% acceptance rate did not stop MIT’s applicants with 34% of undergrads being Asian. Being this list’s runner up, MIT is the biggest attraction for innovation captivating top-performing students internationally. 

Number 1: California Institute of Technology 

With nearly 44% of undergraduates being Asian, CalTech is insanely selective and is known for its intense focus on science and research. As a top 10 university in the entire nation, CalTech is a strong choice for those looking for collaborative culture and global prestige.