At $8,683/yr net price, Savannah State University graduates earn $37,981/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,981/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,683 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,732 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,981/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,981/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $28,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,238/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,491/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,852/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,949/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,784/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $50,606 | $30,717 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $47,729 | |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $41,565 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $41,025 | $27,000 |
| Social Work. | Master | $40,697 | $41,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $26,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $27,000 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $30,031 |
The Risk Factor
25.2% of students at Savannah State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Savannah State University runs a low sticker price against weak outcomes, and the gap between the two is where your risk sits. The net price is cheap, but a quarter of students finish, and median earnings ten years out sit below $38,000. You carry $28,000 in median debt against those earnings, which is a heavy load for a wage that low.
Your major choice decides everything here. Civil Engineering Technologies is the clear winner, paying over $50,000 and beating the school median by more than $12,000. Electrical and Computer Engineering Technologies follow close behind. Information Science and Accounting land in the low $40,000s and high $30,000s, still above the school-wide median but not by much. Anything outside these five programs is a bet you make blind, because the money that works at this school is concentrated in engineering technology and a couple of business-adjacent fields.
The specific financial risk is the graduation rate. At 25%, three out of four students don't finish, and the ones who leave still owe money without the degree that pays it back. Retention holds at 70%, so the losses stack up after the first year. Borrowing $28,000 while carrying a real chance of not graduating is the core danger here.
The net price stays flat and low for families under $48,000, then climbs past $12,000 once you clear $75,000 in income. If your family earns under $48,000, the price is genuinely affordable and the math can work if you graduate in one of the top-earning programs. If you earn over $110,000 and plan to major outside engineering technology, the return gets thin fast.
This school fits you if you're low-income, disciplined enough to finish, and locked onto civil, electrical, or computer engineering technology. Look elsewhere if you're undecided on major.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah State University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $37,981 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $8,683 per year, Savannah State provides reasonable value for students who complete their degrees. However, the 25% graduation rate means three out of four students don't finish, which significantly increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.
What are the best paying majors at Savannah State University?
Engineering technology programs offer the strongest earnings potential, with civil engineering technology graduates earning around $50,600 and electrical engineering technology graduates making $47,700. These programs provide solid returns that justify the investment compared to other majors at the school.
How much debt do Savannah State University students typically graduate with?
Students who graduate from Savannah State typically have $28,000 in debt. This debt level is manageable for engineering technology graduates but may be challenging for those in lower-paying fields like social work.
Does Savannah State University have a good graduation rate?
Savannah State has a 25% graduation rate, meaning most students who enroll never finish their degree. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating whether the school is worth attending.