Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

South University-Savannah Online vs Savannah State University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Savannah GA · vs · Public, Savannah GA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Savannah State University comes closer — median earnings $37,981 against a $32,688 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureSouth University-Savannah OnlineSavannah State University
Net price / yr$28,049$8,172
Total net cost$112,196$32,688
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,421$37,981
Median debt$26,123$28,000
Payback
20-year net return-$390,976-$240,268

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University?

Savannah State University, at $8,172 a year after aid versus $28,049 — a gap of $19,877 a year, or $79,508 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University graduates earn more?

Savannah State University graduates report a median $37,981 ten years after entry, $3,560 more than the $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University?

South University-Savannah Online: its completers carry a median $26,123 in federal loans versus $28,000 at Savannah State University, a difference of $1,877. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

28% of students finish at Savannah State University, against 7% at South University-Savannah Online. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

South University-Savannah Online vs Savannah State University: frequently asked questions

Is South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University a better value?
Savannah State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University?
Savannah State University: $8,172/yr net price after aid versus $28,049/yr at South University-Savannah Online — a difference of $19,877 a year, or about $79,508 over four years.
Do South University-Savannah Online or Savannah State University graduates earn more?
Savannah State University graduates earn a median $37,981 ten years after entry, versus $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online — a $3,560 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.