Savannah State University
Savannah State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Savannah State University at a Glance
Savannah State University (SSU) is a public historically black university in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It is the oldest historically black public university in the state. The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
1890
136 years old
$10M
$10 million
2,945
Identity
Is Savannah State University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Savannah State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $37,981 — 29% below average — while paying $8,172/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 27% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $28,000 representing 74% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Savannah State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Savannah State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #97 of 153 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #97 | Savannah State University | 31 | $8,172 | $37,981 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Savannah State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in GA.
Best Programs at Savannah State University
The highest-earning program at Savannah State University is Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at $44,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Journalism at $21,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduate from Savannah State University earns $44,700, while a Journalism graduate earns $21,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $34,512 in median debt vs. $35,500 for Journalism.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,172/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $44,700 | $44,700 | $34,512 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,000 | $35,000 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,700 | $28,700 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,000 | $28,000 | $31,000 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $27,600 | $27,600 | $31,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $25,800 | $25,800 | $32,500 |
| Biology, General | $24,900 | $24,900 | $37,125 |
| Sociology | $23,100 | $23,100 | $38,000 |
| Social Work | $22,000 | $22,000 | $31,000 |
| Journalism | $21,100 | $21,100 | $35,500 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Savannah, GA
- Student Body
- 2,833 students
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,172
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,981
- Median Student Debt
- $28,000