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Savannah State University

#1223 in US ranking Savannah, GA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$17,031
Tuition & fees
$6,794
Avg. aid
$9,740
Receiving aid
96%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
28%
Median salary
$37,375
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Savannah State University?

Savannah State University is a public historically Black university founded in 1890. Established as the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth, it was created to expand higher-education opportunities for Black Georgians during segregation.

The institution opened in 1891 and later took the names Georgia State College and Savannah State College before becoming Savannah State University in 1996. Those changes reflect its development from an industrial college into a university offering undergraduate and graduate study. Its history remains central to its identity as an HBCU, while admission is open to students of all backgrounds.

What are the faculties and departments at Savannah State University?

Savannah State University organizes its academic programs chiefly through the College of Business Administration, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the College of Sciences and Technology. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees across fields such as business, journalism, social work, biology, criminal justice, and engineering technology, as well as selected graduate degrees.

The mix of programs matters when comparing schools: engineering technology, for example, is a different academic pathway from a traditional engineering degree. Applicants should examine the catalog for the precise degree title, required courses, internship or fieldwork expectations, and any separate admission requirements for their intended major. Graduate offerings and individual program requirements should likewise be checked at the program level rather than inferred from undergraduate admissions policies.

What is the location of Savannah State University?

Savannah State University's main campus is in Savannah, Georgia, east of the city's downtown area. Its coastal location gives students access to a regional employment market that includes government, health care, education, logistics, and tourism, although the value of that access depends on a student's field and transportation options.

Commuting is a meaningful part of campus life: reported figures indicate that about 44% of students commute. Students considering an off-campus address should compare travel time and parking arrangements with their class schedules. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport serves the area, but everyday trips between campus, housing, and work require more immediate transportation planning.

What is the mission and vision of Savannah State University?

Savannah State University's stated mission centers on accessible public higher education, teaching, scholarship, service, and preparation for participation in a diverse society. Its identity as a historically Black university is part of that purpose, not a restriction on who may enroll.

For prospective students, the mission is best evaluated through concrete features: the programs offered, opportunities for research and community engagement, academic advising, and support available to different kinds of learners. Institutional goals describe what the university intends to do; they are not, by themselves, evidence of an individual student's outcome.

Savannah State University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Savannah State University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

City: Midsize

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1890

Savannah State University Accreditation

Savannah State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Savannah State University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.