"We looked for unique companies that provide a good entry level foundation for professionals who have recently graduated from college or graduate school," said Kizzie Bozeman Brown, Editor in Chief of Diversity Edge. The Best Companies for Diverse Graduates list provides diverse students, both undergraduates and graduates, direction as they choose the company at which they will launch their careers.

Ranking Company
1 Merrill Lynch
2 Microsoft Corporation
3 KPMG LLP
4 Wells Fargo & Company
5 Capital One
6 Exelon Corporation
7 WellPoint, Inc.
8 Sodexo
9 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
10 MGM Mirage
11 Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
12 Wachovia Bank N.A.
13 Prudential
14 InterContinental Hotels Group
15 Enterprise
16 Bank of America
17 IBM
18 Boeing
19 Exxon Mobile
20 Caterpillar

The Methodology

Companies that earned spots on Diversity Edge's Best Companies for Diverse Graduates list demonstrated consistent strength in providing an environment where people of diverse backgrounds can succeed. The companies were selected based on their responses to the Diversity Edge Best Companies Survey, and input from various university career centers across the country. The five areas that the survey measures are: Diversity Recruiting Policies, Leadership Development Initiatives, Training Programs, Opportunity for Mentorship, and Activeness of Employee Affinity Groups. The survey also considers the company's overall diversity initiative.

About Diversity Edge magazine

Diversity Edge magazine is a national, quarterly publication of diversity success stories. We are committed to addressing issues in diversity pertaining to career, business and personal finance. We strive to highlight the positive efforts that promote workforce and supplier diversity in Corporate America. Our editorial content is designed to expose corporate professionals to new career opportunities, to increase the visibility of entrepreneurs, and to generally promote the economic advancement and wealth creation of our readers.