Savannah State University

What Savannah State University does

Savannah State University is a public historically Black college and university (HBCU) established in 1890 under the Second Morrill Land-Grant Act and operating as a constituent unit of the University System of Georgia. It serves approximately 3,208 students across 30+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs organized into five academic colleges: Business Administration, Engineering Technology and Computing, Sciences and Humanities, Education (including the newly established Hyundai College of Education), and Media, Arts, and Communication. The 201-acre waterfront campus in Savannah, Georgia, with direct Skidaway River access, supports a nationally recognized Marine Sciences program and a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The university's core academic infrastructure runs on D2L Brightspace for online and hybrid course delivery, with distance education authorized through NC-SARA reciprocity and supplemented by USG collaborative platforms eCore and eMajor. Student services are supported by PAWS (Banner/OneUSG) for registration, Degree Works for degree audits, EAB Navigate for advising and retention, Parchment for transcripts, GALILEO for library access, StarRez for housing, Handshake for career services, and a third-party AI-powered Virtual Advisor chatbot for prospective-student engagement. Specialized research capability is evidenced by genetic-material research sent to the International Space Station in 2014 and two patents granted in 2016 for organic material collection in space travel and a chemical compound with implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Revenue is generated primarily through per-semester tuition and mandatory fees (ranging from $2,640 in-state to $10,485 out-of-country for undergraduates carrying 15+ credits), on-campus housing and meal plans, state appropriations (including a historic $42.8 million capital appropriation in 2026), federal Title III and TRIO/GEAR UP program funding, and corporate and alumni philanthropy — most notably Hyundai Motor America's $5 million gift establishing the Hyundai College of Education in October 2025. Distribution combines on-campus instruction at the main Savannah campus, the downtown Coastal Georgia Center for continuing education and workforce training, and fully online programs including a fully online MBA. Customer segments span first-year undergraduates (primary), graduate students, international students, transfer and transient students, and military-connected students — the last supported by AROTC, NROTC, and a Veterans Resource Center.

Name

Savannah State University

Legal name

Savannah State University

Website

https://savannahstate.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Savannah State University is a public HBCU in Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1890 and part of the University System of Georgia, serving roughly 3,200 students across 30+ undergraduate and graduate programs with a 16:1 faculty ratio. Revenue is generated through tuition, housing, state appropriations, federal grants, and corporate philanthropy including a $5M Hyundai gift.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public HBCUs (State-Supported) (EDAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Historically Black Land-Grant Universities (1862/1890) (EDAHAMAD)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Online learning
• HBCU university

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: SSU generates primary revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with different rates for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. Additional revenue comes from mandatory fees including health clinic, student activities, athletics, technology, and transportation fees. Undergraduate tuition ranges from $2,640 (in-state) to $10,200 (out-of-state) per semester for 15+ credits.
2. State Funding and Appropriations: The university receives significant state investment for campus transformation and infrastructure projects, including the historic $42.8 million state appropriation for campus upgrades including demolition and construction of gymnasiums and student center renovations.
3. Corporate Donations and Grants: Major corporate donations such as Hyundai's $5 million gift to establish the Hyundai College of Education represent significant revenue streams, along with federal Title III program funding for academic strengthening.
4. Housing and Dining Services: Revenue from on-campus housing including residence halls (Camilla Hubert, Freshmen Living Learning Center, Melvin Bostic Hall, Tiger Place, University Commons, University Village, Richard Wright) and meal plans ranging from unlimited to 10-meal options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Savannah State University is a public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six academic colleges in Business Administration, Engineering Technology and Computing, Education, Sciences and Humanities, Media Arts and Communication, and Graduate Studies. It delivers on-campus instruction at its 201-acre Savannah campus and online through the D2L Brightspace platform, supported by student services including TRIO/GEAR UP programs, career services via Handshake, and an AI-powered Virtual Advisor. The university generates revenue primarily through tuition, state appropriations, grants, and corporate donations.

Product overview

Savannah State University operates as a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six academic colleges: College of Business Administration, College of Engineering Technology and Computing, College of Education (including the newly established Hyundai College of Education), College of Sciences and Humanities, College of Media Arts and Communication, and College of Graduate Studies. The institution offers 41 distinct programs including nationally recognized offerings in Marine Sciences, Homeland Security, and Forensic Sciences. Student support services include TRIO/GEAR UP programs, STRIPES co-curricular tracking, and an AI-powered Virtual Advisor chatbot. Distance education is delivered through D2L Brightspace LMS, eCore, and eMajor partnerships. The flagship online offering is the fully online MBA program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College of Business Administration Academic college offering undergraduate and graduate business-related programs including Accounting, Business Management, Business Marketing, and MBA, providing degrees for careers in commerce and industry.
• College of Engineering Technology and Computing Academic college offering technology-focused degree programs including Computer Science Technology, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology.
• Hyundai College of Education Academic college established through a $5 million Hyundai donation to prepare educators with programs in Biology Education, Mathematics Education, Middle Grades Education, Music Education, and Teacher Certification.
• College of Sciences and Humanities Academic college offering programs in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Marine Sciences, Forensic Sciences, Sociology, Political Science, Statistics, and related disciplines.
• College of Media, Arts, and Communication Academic college offering programs in Journalism & Mass Communications, Visual & Performing Arts, Film (Georgia Film Academy), and related creative fields.
• Graduate Studies Graduate-level degree offerings including Public Administration (MPA), Social Work (MSW), Marine Sciences (MSMS), and a fully online MBA designed for working professionals.
• Online MBA Program Fully online MBA program offering flexible class schedules and assignments for working professionals seeking career advancement through graduate business education.
• Marine Sciences Program Nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate program in marine sciences located on a saltwater estuary offering hands-on research at the Marine Biology Building along the Skidaway River.
• Homeland Security & Emergency Management Bachelor's degree program in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the first such undergraduate offering at any Georgia institution of higher education.
• Forensic Sciences Bachelor's degree program in Forensic Sciences, the second such program offered in the state of Georgia.
• TRIO & GEAR UP Programs Federally funded educational opportunity programs including Student Support Services, Educational Talent Search, and Upward Bound that provide mentorship, academic support, and college preparation for middle school, high school, and college students.
• STRIPES Program Co-curricular program enabling students to participate in community/volunteer services and attend extracurricular seminars for academic, personal, professional, and leadership development, generating co-curricular transcripts.
• Virtual Advisor AI-powered virtual advisor chatbot providing prospective and current students with conversational guidance on admissions, programs, and student services.
• Bridge to Research in Marine Sciences Eight-week intensive program featuring classroom, field, and laboratory work with guest lectures and mentor sessions at the Marine Sciences Building.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of students receive financial aid or scholarships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Georgia TechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2025Georgia Tech collaborated with SSU on a pilot project funded by a $1.2 million SMART grant aimed at improving transit accessibility by connecting underserved communities to bus routes through on-demand electric shuttles. Georgia Tech provided technical expertise in app development and shuttle coordination.
• Local Transit AuthoritiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal transit authorities participated in the first-mile/last-mile transit project with SSU and Georgia Tech, testing an app that coordinates shuttle pickups and routes in two zones to improve transit accessibility for underserved communities.
• University System of Georgia (USG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSU is a member of the University System of Georgia under the Board of Regents. USG provides state funding, policy oversight, and strategic direction. SSU operates under USG policies including academic calendar, tuition structures, and accreditation requirements.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tuskegee University: Tuskegee is a private HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution with strong STEM and marine/environmental science research, providing a benchmark peer for research output and corporate fundraising at smaller HBCUs.
• Albany State University: Albany State is also a Georgia public HBCU within the University System of Georgia, sharing the same governance structure, funding model, and target student demographic. Direct peer for state funding, enrollment, and academic program competition.
• Hampton University: Hampton is a private HBCU with marine sciences and homeland security programs, offering a comparable academic portfolio and a peer benchmark for out-of-state premium positioning.
• Morehouse College: Morehouse is a private HBCU in Atlanta with strong brand equity, large alumni donor base, and broad academic program overlap — a benchmark peer for student recruitment and corporate fundraising.
• Fort Valley State University: Fort Valley State is a Georgia public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution within USG, making it the closest peer on institutional heritage, funding mechanisms (including federal land-grant streams), and enrollment profile.
• North Carolina A&T State University: NC A&T is a public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution that is a benchmark peer for engineering technology, business, and STEM programs — direct competition for out-of-state students and corporate partnerships.
• Florida A&M University: FAMU is a larger public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution with comparable Land-Grant funding model, broader academic portfolio, and similar regional recruitment geography across the Southeast.
• Spelman College: Spelman is a private HBCU in Atlanta competing for the same Georgia-based prospective students and overlapping STEM, business, and humanities programs.
• Clark Atlanta University: Clark Atlanta is a private HBCU in Atlanta offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs across business, sciences, and the arts, competing with SSU for Georgia's Black student recruitment funnel.

Broad incumbents

• Howard University: Howard is the largest private HBCU with broad national reach, representing the upper-bound HBCU benchmark for fundraising, brand recognition, and federal research funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/savannahstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/81383047843
• Instagraminstagram.com/savannahstate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/savannah-state-university

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Savannah State University