Savannah State University

Institution Overview

Savannah State University is located in the graceful and historic coastal city of Savannah. It is the oldest public historically black college in Georgia and was founded in 1890 as a state land grant institution.

Today, Savannah State University sits on 165 acres in the Thunderbolt section of Savannah. The university enrolls 2,500 students, many of whom come from Georgia, with a growing number hailing from out of state and abroad. The average age of students attending Savannah State University is 25, and the majority are female.

Students may choose from 26 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered through the colleges of Business Administration, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Sciences and Technology. Examples of content areas include Africana studies, marine sciences, environmental sciences, computer science technology, computer information systems, and social work. Savannah State excels in the field of marine sciences. In fact, it is the only program of its kind in Georgia located adjacent to a salt marsh estuary, providing students a natural environment as a learning laboratory.

In addition, the Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program (GTREP) is available at Savannah State. Students take engineering courses in Savannah and earn a bachelor of science degree in civil, computer or electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. SSU also participates in Yamacraw, a statewide high-tech inducement initiative through which graduates can also earn a certificate to make them more marketable to high-tech employees.

Savannah State University also offers the region's only four-year Naval ROTC program with tuition-assisted training in science and technology leading to military and related technology. Study-abroad opportunities in China, Ghana and the Caribbean help to round out SSU's programming. From market-ready social work and public administration programs to practitioner-oriented training in mass communications, Savannah State offers an affordable, relevant and quality education package.

Thanks to a wireless connectivity program, Savannah State University students can access the Internet from anywhere on campus - from the snack bar to a shady spot under a tree - as they take their laptop computers from class to class.

While enjoying their studies in the bustling cultural city of Savannah, students at Savannah State University have a wealth of extra-curricular activities to keep them busy outside of class, including student government, cultural, social and professional organizations. Savannah State competes in NCAA Division I athletics.

Community partnerships are a priority at Savannah State. The successful Midtown Project allows Savannah State University faculty and students to partner with neighborhood association residents to develop strategies to rebuild their communities. The university has worked closely with the City of Savannah to focus on economic development. The Savannah Entrepreneurial Center is operated by Savannah State University's College of Business Administration for the city and offers technical assistance and training to individuals who want to start, maintain or expand a small business operation.

Savannah State University was originally named the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth. The college became a full degree-granting institution in 1928 and in 1931 began offering baccalaureate programs. In 1936, the college was renamed Georgia State College. In 1950, the institution became Savannah State College, and in 1996, the school was renamed Savannah State University.