Savannah State University

Public · GA

Photo: 2C2K Photography (CC BY 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationGA · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads2,833

Student:faculty21:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate16.2%

6-yr grad rate28%

Drop-out rate25.3%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$6k

Out-of-state tuition$19k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity97.4%

Gender diversity62.5%

International1.9%

IdentityHBCU

Overview

Savannah State University is the oldest public historically Black university in Georgia, sitting on a marsh-fringed campus along the Atlantic tidal flats just outside historic Savannah. Its identity blends HBCU tradition with a genuinely unusual coastal setting — the campus backs up to salt marsh and tidal creek rather than a typical quad, which shapes both its academic specialties and its everyday feel. It functions as an access-oriented public university serving a largely in-state Georgia population, with the city's history, tourism economy, and port industry all close at hand.

Academics

The tidal, marsh-side location gives Savannah State's marine and environmental science programs a genuine field-research advantage that is uncommon among HBCUs, letting students study coastal ecosystems literally outside the classroom door. Beyond marine sciences, the university is known for journalism and mass communications, homeland security and criminal justice, and business administration. Programs lean practical and career-connected, consistent with the university's roots as a land-grant-adjacent institution training teachers and tradespeople, though the curriculum has broadened well past that original mission.

Campus & student life

Student life carries strong HBCU traditions — marching band, Greek life, and homecoming carry real weight on campus. The marsh setting gives the campus a quieter, more isolated feel than an urban HBCU, while historic Savannah's squares, restaurants, and nightlife are a short drive away for students wanting a bigger-city social scene. Athletics compete in NCAA Division I as the Tigers, with football and track drawing the most attention.

Getting in

Savannah State admits with an access mission rather than a highly selective one, consistent with its role as a historically Black public university serving Georgia students who might not consider more competitive flagships. The application process is conventional and not essay-heavy by comparison with elite private schools.

savannahstate.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate—

Enrolled mid-50%—

Test policynot reported

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying