Students at Savannah State University benefit from exceptional affordability, with low-income families paying just over $7,200 annually for their education.
The university provides meaningful access to higher education for underserved populations, though graduates should expect modest earnings compared with other public institutions.
Savannah State University serves as an accessible public institution in Georgia, though it faces challenges in delivering the earnings outcomes typical of higher-performing public universities nationwide. With 65% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 33% being first-generation college students, SSU provides broad access to higher education for underserved populations. The university's affordability stands out significantly, with low-income students paying just $7,238 annually and middle-income families facing costs around $10,852.
However, SSU's long-term financial outcomes lag behind most peer institutions. Graduates earn a median of $37,981 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the bottom 2% nationally for earnings performance. The institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, indicating strong access but weaker outcomes for the students it serves.
As a medium-sized public university in Savannah, SSU offers the personal attention of a smaller institution while maintaining the resources and program diversity of a comprehensive university. For students who value affordability and access over maximum earning potential, particularly those from backgrounds historically underserved by higher education, SSU provides a pathway to degree completion at a very manageable cost.
Savannah State University's program portfolio reflects a mix of professional and liberal arts offerings, with business and accounting programs providing the strongest financial returns. Business Administration, the university's most successful program by aggregate return, graduates 54 students annually with median earnings around $35,060. This represents both substantial enrollment and relatively solid outcomes within SSU's overall earnings profile.
Accounting Technology delivers the highest individual earnings at approximately $38,289, though with smaller enrollment of 30 graduates. This program demonstrates SSU's ability to prepare students for specific professional roles that command higher salaries in the regional job market. Biology, with 53 graduates earning about $27,500, reflects the challenges many life science majors face without additional professional school training.
The university's program mix shows concentration in business and life sciences, with some technical offerings that provide clearer pathways to employment. While overall earnings remain modest compared with other public universities, these programs do provide degree completion and professional preparation for students who might otherwise lack access to higher education. The relatively small program sizes allow for more personalized attention, though they may limit networking opportunities and employer recruitment compared with larger programs at research universities.
Graduates of Savannah State University face modest long-term earnings compared with most public universities nationwide. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $37,981, which places SSU in the bottom 2% of public institutions for graduate earnings. This performance reflects both the university's program mix and the broader economic challenges facing many historically black colleges and universities in delivering competitive post-graduation outcomes.
The university's strongest financial returns come from business and accounting programs. Business Administration graduates, representing SSU's largest successful program with 54 graduates, earn around $35,060 ten years out. Accounting Technology graduates achieve the highest earnings at approximately $38,289, though this program graduates fewer students. Biology, one of the more popular majors with 53 graduates, shows lower earnings at about $27,500, reflecting the challenges many life science graduates face without additional professional training.
While SSU's overall earnings lag national averages, the university does provide educational access and degree completion for students who might otherwise lack higher education opportunities. The modest earnings outcomes should be weighed against the institution's very low net prices and its role in serving first-generation and low-income students who benefit from any college premium, even if smaller than at higher-performing institutions.
Savannah State University excels in affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $7,238 annually, well below most public universities and ranking in the top 20% nationally for affordability. Middle-income families face costs around $10,852 per year, while even higher-income students pay a manageable $13,784 annually. This pricing structure makes SSU one of the most accessible public universities in Georgia from a cost perspective.
Debt levels at SSU are moderate relative to the low net prices. Typical graduates leave with about $28,000 in federal student loan debt, which represents a significant portion of early-career earnings given the university's modest salary outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,521, a relatively modest amount that reflects both the university's affordable sticker price and the financial constraints of many families SSU serves.
The combination of low net prices and moderate debt levels means that while monthly loan payments may represent a larger share of graduates' budgets than at higher-earning institutions, the absolute dollar amounts remain manageable for most borrowers. SSU's 0% federal loan default rate suggests that despite modest earnings, graduates are generally able to meet their repayment obligations, though this may reflect the university's relatively low debt levels rather than strong earning power.
Savannah State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
