Winston Salem State University campus

credit : Kevin Coles | license

WSSU Demographics & Diversity

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • 0 reviews
#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 42%

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 WSSU are mostly Black with a smaller White population. The school has low racial diversity. 84% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Winston Salem State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community.

Racial demographics of Winston Salem State University students
Race Percent of Students
White
16%
Black
72%
Hispanic
3%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaskan
1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
2%
Race Unknown
2%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

High

Gender Diversity Index: 38%

There are 189% more female students than male students enrolled at Winston Salem State University with a gender ratio of 74% women to 26% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, WSSU has a comparable gender diversity ratio to other US colleges and is inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Winston Salem State University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
26%
Women
74%
Enrollment by gender for Winston Salem State University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
1,228
Women
3,554

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 24%

WSSU draws 75 percent of students from North Carolina, 24 percent from other states, and 0 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside North Carolina, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Winston Salem State University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
75%
Out of State
24%
Foreign
0%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$54,716 per year

80% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

4,782
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 26%
Part-time undergraduates 13.6%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Winston Salem State University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199999.

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