# South University

> private university's main campus, and its online operations, in Savannah, Georgia, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q7568720](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7568720)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/south-university

## Summary
South University is a private, for-profit educational institution established in 1899, with its main campus and online operations headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. Originally founded as a college, it achieved university status on December 21, 2001, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award both undergraduate and master's degrees.

## Key Facts
*   **Legal Name:** South University
*   **Founding Year:** 1899
*   **Location:** 709 Mall Blvd, Savannah, Georgia, United States (Postal Code 31406)
*   **Coordinates:** 31.999505, -81.105288
*   **Institution Type:** Private for-profit educational institution
*   **Accreditation:** Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (since 1985)
*   **Status Change:** Transitioned from a college to a university on December 21, 2001
*   **Headcount:** 818 students and 146 employees (as of August 2020)
*   **Carnegie Classification:** Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
*   **Academic Calendar:** Academic quarter system

## FAQs
### Q: When did South University change from a college to a university?
A: The institution transitioned from South College to South University on December 21, 2001, following accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master’s degrees.

### Q: Is South University a public or private institution?
A: It is a private, for-profit educational institution.

### Q: Where is the main campus of South University located?
A: The main campus and online operations are located in Savannah, Georgia, specifically at 709 Mall Blvd.

### Q: What entity accredits South University?
A: The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a status it has held since 1985.

## Why It Matters
South University represents a sustained presence in higher education in the Southeastern United States, spanning over a century of operation from its inception in 1899 to its current structure. Its significance lies in its evolution from a local college to a university with broader degree-granting capabilities, specifically gaining the authority to award master's degrees in 2001. As a private for-profit institution, it plays a specific role in the higher education market, offering flexible learning options through both its physical campus in Savannah and its online operations.

The institution contributes to the professional workforce through specialized subsidiaries, such as the South University Savannah School of Pharmacy, established in 2003. By maintaining accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and classifying as a "Master's College and University," it serves students seeking advanced professional degrees beyond the baccalaureate level. Its operational model includes multiple campuses, such as those in Virginia Beach and Novi, expanding its geographic footprint beyond its Georgia origins.

## Notable For
*   **Historical Longevity:** Founded in 1899, the institution has operated for over 120 years.
*   **University Transition:** Successfully petitioned to change its classification from college to university in 2001 to facilitate the awarding of master's degrees.
*   **Pharmacy Education:** Established a dedicated School of Pharmacy in Savannah in 2003.
*   **Multi-Campus System:** Operates subsidiary campuses including South University Virginia Beach (established 2009) and South University Novi.
*   **Carnegie Classification:** Recognized specifically as a "Master's College and University" with medium programs, indicating a focus on graduate education.

## Body

### History and Status
South University was founded in 1899, operating originally as a college. On December 21, 2001, the institution officially changed its name and status to South University. This transition occurred after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the institution to award master’s degrees. It is classified as a private for-profit educational institution.

### Location and Facilities
The university's headquarters and main campus are situated in Savannah, Georgia. The specific street address is 709 Mall Blvd, Savannah, GA 31406. The geographic coordinates of the campus are latitude 31.999505 and longitude -81.105288. In addition to its physical presence, the university maintains significant online operations. The institution also operates subsidiary campuses, including South University Virginia Beach (opened 2009) and South University Novi.

### Academic Profile
South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), having initially received this accreditation in 1985. The institution follows an academic quarter calendar. According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, it is defined as a "Master's College and University: Medium Programs." Further Carnegie designations include "Four-year, small, primarily nonresidential" and "Professions focus, high graduate coexistence."

### Organizational Statistics
As of August 2020, the university reported a student body of 818 students and employed 146 staff members. Historically, the student population was approximately 1,800 circa August 2003. The institution maintains a digital presence through its official website and various social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

### Identifiers and Classifications
The university is listed in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) with the ID 139579. It holds a ROR (Research Organization Registry) ID of 01rjfjt94 and a GRID ID of grid.462889.9. Additional identifiers include an ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) and a Crunchbase organization ID associated with its Columbia campus.

## References

1. [Open ISNI for Organizations](https://isni.ringgold.com/api/stable/institution/0000+0004+0394+0399)
2. Times Higher Education World University Rankings
3. [Source](https://www.sacscoc.org/institutions/?institution=0011N00001h9EM3QAM)
4. New Georgia Encyclopedia
5. [Source](https://www.southuniversity.edu/about)
6. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
7. GRID Release 2017-01-10
8. Google Maps
9. [Source](https://www.southuniversity.edu/savannah)
10. [Source](https://www.southuniversity.edu/)
11. [Source](https://www.southuniversity.edu/closed-school-page)
12. ROR release v1.19
13. OpenCorporates
14. Freebase Data Dumps
15. [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/southuniversity/about)
16. GRID Release 2018-02-08
17. [Source](https://explore.openalex.org/institutions/I48168531)
18. Instagram
19. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
20. Yelp
21. Quora
22. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
23. YouTube API
24. [Source](https://catalog.southuniversity.edu/content.php?catoid=23&navoid=1302)
25. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
26. [Source](https://explore.openalex.org/institutions/I2802830313)
27. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/South_University-BWYVPWM)
28. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
29. National Center for Education Statistics