Savannah State University
- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $37,981 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $8,172 B+
- 52% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,833
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 36.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $36.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,159,332.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 27% — 54% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 4.04% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Savannah State University Matters
Savannah State University is a public university in Savannah, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,833
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Humanities, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Savannah State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,172 a year after grants and scholarships — 52% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,981 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college, against $28,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 3% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.94 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Savannah State University serves 2,833 students, with a net price of just $8,172, making it an affordable option for many. This low cost makes it accessible, particularly for those who rely on financial aid. About 68% of students receive Pell Grants, highlighting the university's commitment to supporting low-income students.
Data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights reveals that graduates earn a median income of $37,981 ten years after enrollment. However, the graduation rate stands at only 27%. This suggests challenges for students in completing their degrees and achieving upward mobility. While the earnings potential is reasonable, the low graduation rate raises questions about student support and retention.
Students who thrive at Savannah State are likely those who actively seek resources and support. With programs in Business, Biology, Humanities, Criminal Justice, and Communications, the university caters to a diverse range of interests. Graduates may face a median debt of $28,000, which is significant but manageable when balanced against their average earnings.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Savannah State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Savannah State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Savannah State University, located in Savannah, Georgia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,445
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.26
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Savannah State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Savannah State University is $19,043, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,172. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,739 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $28,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,750
- Out-of-State
- $19,043
- Avg Net Price
- $8,172
- Median Debt
- $28,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 68%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,739
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,033
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,882
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,597
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Savannah State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Savannah State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Savannah State University report median earnings of $37,981, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,494
- 8 Years
- $33,514
- 10 Years
- $37,981
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.74x
- Earning > $25K
- 42%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (128)
- 11%
- 100% (128)
- 11%
- 100% (128)
- 11%
- 100% (128)
- 11%
How Savannah Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Savannah State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Savannah State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,172/year ($32,688 total). Graduates earn $37,981 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,192,020 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,159,332 (36.5× your investment). The median debt is $28,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $32,688
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,192,020
- Net Return
- $1,159,332
- ROI Multiple
- 36.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,172
- Median Debt
- $28,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Savannah State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Savannah State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.04%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 24.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 4.04%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 24.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $61,683
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-1,547,841
Top Programs
The fields Savannah State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $45,495 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $32,675 early-career
- Humanities 11% $25,556 early-career
- Criminal Justice 11% $36,562 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $29,477 early-career
- Communications 7% $26,431 early-career
- Psychology 6% $33,722 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $18,479 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Savannah State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Savannah State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Savannah State University, located in Savannah, Georgia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Savannah State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Savannah State University is $19,043, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,172. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,739 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $28,000 in federal student loans.
Is Savannah State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Savannah State University report median earnings of $37,981, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Savannah State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Savannah State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.04%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 24.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $45,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Savannah State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Savannah State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.94, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Savannah State University.
- Cochise County Community College DistrictSierra Vista, AZ · Close peer30% grad $38,033 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer29% grad $38,518 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Spokane Falls Community CollegeSpokane, WA · Close peer31% grad $38,955 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- University of Puerto RicoBayamon, PR · Close peer34% grad $34,409 earn 35% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME · Close peer25% grad $40,342 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of GuamMangilao, GU · Close peer39% grad $35,946 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Savannah State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Savannah State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.94, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note