# Savannah State University

> historically-black public university in Savannah, Georgia, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q3474474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3474474)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_State_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/savannah-state-university

## Summary
Savannah State University is a historically black public university located in Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1890. It serves as a key institution within the University System of Georgia and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines. The university plays a significant role in higher education access and advancement for underrepresented communities.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1890** as part of the University System of Georgia.
- Located at **3219 College Street, Savannah, GA, 31404-5310**, United States.
- Classified as a **historically black college or university (HBCU)** and **public educational institution**.
- Member of organizations including the **American Council on Education** and **Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference**.
- Enrolled approximately **3,688 students** as of Fall 2019.
- Operates under a **semester-based academic calendar**.
- Affiliated with the **Asa H. Gordon Library**.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Savannah State University founded?
A: Savannah State University was established in **1890**, making it one of the oldest historically black universities in Georgia.

### Q: Is Savannah State University a public or private institution?
A: It is a **public educational institution** operated by the University System of Georgia.

### Q: What athletic conference is Savannah State University part of?
A: The university competes in the **Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)** as the Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers.

## Why It Matters
Savannah State University holds historical and contemporary importance as a historically black college and university (HBCU), contributing significantly to educational equity and opportunity for African American students since its founding in 1890. As a public institution, it supports regional development in Savannah and Chatham County while offering accessible pathways to higher education. Its inclusion in national associations like the American Council on Education underscores its legitimacy and influence in shaping policy and practice in U.S. higher education. Additionally, through its athletics program and cultural contributions, Savannah State continues to foster community engagement and pride.

## Notable For
- Being among the **oldest HBCUs in Georgia**, established in 1890.
- Serving as a **member of the American Council on Education** and other national academic bodies.
- Hosting the **Asa H. Gordon Library**, which contributes to scholarly resources for HBCU institutions.
- Competing in the **Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)** with strong traditions in collegiate sports.
- Maintaining an active digital presence with over **10,000 Twitter followers** as of early 2023.

## Body

### History and Founding
Savannah State University was founded in **1890** as part of the expansion of public higher education in Georgia following the Second Morrill Act. Initially created to serve African American students, it has evolved into a comprehensive public institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

### Location and Campus
The campus is situated in **Savannah, Georgia**, specifically in **Chatham County**, with geographic coordinates **32.0224° N, -81.0551° W**. The official address is:
```
3219 College Street  
Savannah, GA 31404-5310
```

### Institutional Classification
Savannah State University is categorized as:
- A **Historically Black College or University (HBCU)**
- A **Public Educational Institution of the United States**
- Part of the **University System of Georgia**

It also carries several Carnegie Classifications, such as:
- Master’s Colleges and Universities – Small Programs
- Four-Year, Medium, Highly Residential
- Balanced Arts & Sciences/Professions

### Academic Structure
The university follows a **semester-based academic calendar**. It offers various degree programs aligned with liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and technology fields. The institution emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, particularly evident in its admissions yield rate of **16%** in 2020.

### Student Demographics and Enrollment
In Fall 2019, total enrollment stood at **3,688 students**, down slightly from **4,077 students** in Fall 2018. These figures reflect trends typical of mid-sized public institutions.

### Athletics and Affiliations
Athletically, Savannah State participates in the **Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)**, competing as the **Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers**. This affiliation connects the university to broader networks of historically black institutions involved in collegiate athletics.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
With more than **10,000 followers** on Twitter as of February 2023, Savannah State maintains visibility in online spaces. Its social media activity aligns with efforts to engage prospective students, alumni, and local communities.

### Organizational Memberships
Key affiliations include:
- **American Council on Education**
- **American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)**

These memberships highlight the university’s commitment to excellence in governance, policy advocacy, and institutional collaboration.

### Research and Library Resources
The **Asa H. Gordon Library** serves as the primary academic library supporting research and learning. It is recognized within the consortium of HBCU libraries and contributes to preserving scholarly heritage relevant to African American history and culture.

### Accreditation and Recognition
Savannah State University is accredited by regional and specialized agencies, ensuring quality standards in education delivery. It is listed in databases such as GRID, ROR, and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), affirming its legitimacy in global academic contexts.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. [Source](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st13_ga/place/p1369000_savannah/DC20BLK_P1369000.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st13_ga/county/c13051_chatham/DC20BLK_C13051.pdf)
4. System for Award Management
5. GRID Release 2017-01-10
6. [Source](http://hbculibraries.org/libraries-year.html)
7. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
8. [Source](https://aascu.org/our-members/)
9. Google Knowledge Graph
10. GeoNames
11. Freebase Data Dumps
12. [Source](http://www.savannahstate.edu/)
13. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
14. [Source](https://www.usg.edu/assets/research/documents/enrollment_reports/SER_Fall_19_Final.pdf)
15. GRID Release 2015-12-14
16. GRID Release 2016-12-06
17. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
18. Quora
19. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
20. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
21. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
22. National Center for Education Statistics