McNeese Demographics & Diversity

4/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Lake Charles, LA
0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Medium

Racial Diversity Index: 51%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at McNeese are primarily White with a smaller Black population. The school has medium racial diversity. 33% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of McNeese State University students
Race	Percent of Students
White	67%
Black	18%
Hispanic	3%
Asian	2%
American Indian / Alaskan	1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	0%
Two or more races	3%
International	7%
Race Unknown	0%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 47%

There are 66% more female students than male students enrolled at McNeese State University with a gender ratio of 62% women to 38% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, McNeese has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for McNeese State University students
Gender	Percent of Students
Men	38%
Women	62%

Enrollment by gender for McNeese State University students
Gender	Number of Students
Men	2,342
Women	3,899

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 16%

McNeese draws 84 percent of students from Louisiana, 7 percent from other states, and 9 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Louisiana, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for McNeese State University students
Origin	Percent of Students
In State	84%
Out of State	7%
Foreign	9%
Unknown Location	0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

$47,295 per year

48% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

6,241

Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment	Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old	18.4%
Part-time undergraduates	11.3%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to McNeese State University often consider these colleges

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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=159717.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026