Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.77Avg GPA
913Avg SAT
$17,185Annual Cost
$37,981Grad Salary
64.9%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.77
Avg SAT
913
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
873–943
Avg Net Price
$8,683
Need-Based Aid
64.9% receive Pell
Savannah State University GA Savannah State University is Georgia's oldest public historically Black university and combines the traditions of an HBCU with career-focused academic programs. Students often choose Savannah State for its supportive campus environment and emphasis on leadership development.\n\nThe university is particularly strong in business, engineering technology, marine sciences, social sciences, and public administration. Its coastal location provides unique opportunities for research and professional experiences.
Savannah State University Acceptance Rate
Savannah State University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.77 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.57 – 2.76
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.32
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Savannah State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Savannah State University is October 15 for International Spring applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — International Spring
International Spring
October 15
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 19
International Summer
March 1
International Fall
June 1
Priority Admission
December 15
Decision by: January 30
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Savannah State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Savannah State University is 2.77. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 2.97–3.17.Savannah State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.77 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.57 – 2.76
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.37 – 2.56
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.36
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Savannah State University is the oldest public HBCU in Georgia (founded 1890); apply through the statewide GAFutures.org portal (SAT code 5609, ACT code 0858).
- HOPE Scholarship requires a 3.0 core-course GPA and 4 rigor credits (partial tuition); Zell Miller requires a 3.7 GPA and a 1200 SAT/26 ACT (full tuition) - SSU's typical admitted test-score range sits well below the Zell Miller bar.
- The undergraduate Marine Sciences program feeds directly into the federally funded SSUMMS+ graduate STEM pipeline (funded through 2029), run with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.
- After a multi-year enrollment decline (down ~19.7% since 2019) that led to layoffs and at least one discontinued major (Africana Studies), SSU has a new president (Dr. Jermaine Whirl, since April 2025) and Fall 2025 enrollment has rebounded to roughly 3,169 students.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Savannah State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Savannah State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Savannah State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Savannah State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Savannah State University Without SAT or ACT?
Savannah State University's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Savannah State University Average SAT Score: 913
The average SAT score of admitted students at Savannah State University is 913 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 913 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (943 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Savannah State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 873, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Savannah State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 913 | 873 | 943 |
Below 873, you're behind most admitted students; at 943 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 900
Can I get into Savannah State University with a 950 SAT?
A 950 SAT puts you ahead of most of Savannah State University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Savannah State University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Savannah State University's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Apply Through GAFutures and Clear the Lawful-Presence Step Immediately
SSU's application runs through the statewide GAFutures.org portal (SAT code 5609, ACT code 0858). Once admitted, in-state applicants must separately validate lawful presence under Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4 by submitting an eligible state driver's license/ID (issued after January 1, 2008) or equivalent document. This step is procedural, not academic, but skipping it delays your official acceptance and in-state tuition classification - submit it the same week you apply, not after you're admitted.
Plan Financially Around HOPE, Not Zell Miller
HOPE Scholarship requires a 3.0 core-course GPA plus four rigor course credits and covers partial tuition; Zell Miller requires a 3.7 GPA and a 1200 combined SAT (or 26 ACT) for full tuition. SSU's typical admitted SAT range runs well below the Zell Miller threshold, so most incoming students should build their financial plan around HOPE-level support rather than assuming Zell Miller is realistic - and should verify their HOPE core-course GPA (English, math, social studies, science, foreign language only) with a counselor before finalizing that plan.
Name the SSUMMS+ Pipeline Specifically If You Want Marine Science
SSU's undergraduate Marine Sciences program feeds directly into the federally funded Savannah State University Math and Marine Science Plus (SSUMMS+) program, a Title VII HBCU STEM graduate pipeline funded through 2029 and run in partnership with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Name this specific pipeline - not "marine biology" generically - when talking to admissions or applying for departmental scholarships; it signals awareness of a funded track most applicants won't know to mention.
Verify Your Intended Major Is Still Active Before Naming It
SSU discontinued its Africana Studies program amid a multi-year enrollment decline, and other low-enrollment programs have faced review. A specific major disappearing between when a student researches the school and when they apply is a live risk here right now - confirm current program status directly with the relevant department or an admissions counselor rather than relying on an older program list or catalog page.
Expert Insight:
SSU went through a real multi-year enrollment and budget strain - down to roughly 2,600 students by 2023?24 from more than 4,000 in 2016 - which led to layoffs and at least one discontinued major. The university has since brought in new leadership (President Dr. Jermaine Whirl, effective April 2025), and Fall 2025 enrollment rebounded to approximately 3,169 students, so the current trend is positive. Even so, applicants should confirm that any specific program, minor, or student-support office they're counting on is currently staffed and active before building an application narrative around it.
Savannah State University Profile
Full Name
Savannah State University
City
Savannah
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
31404-5310
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Savannah State University Degree Worth It?
At $17,185/year against a $37,981 median graduate salary, Savannah State University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $54,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.23%.
How much does a degree from Savannah State University Cost?
The sticker price is $17,185/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $8,683.
64.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 66.1% take federal loans at Savannah State University — file your FAFSA early and list Savannah State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Savannah State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $37,981 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Savannah State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Savannah State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Savannah State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at Savannah State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Savannah State University Admissions
Median earnings for Savannah State University graduates sit around $37,981 a year.
At about $17,185 a year, Savannah State University is on the more affordable end.
With 64.9% of Savannah State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Savannah State University is the key move.
Admitted students at Savannah State University average a 2.77 GPA.
Savannah State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.47 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.37, Savannah State University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Savannah State University — aim above 913, ideally within the 873–943 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Savannah State University is October 15 for International Spring applicants.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.