Colleges and Universities in Statesboro, Georgia

Statesboro, Georgia, and the surrounding areas offer a diverse range of higher education opportunities. These institutions provide various academic programs, catering to different student needs and career aspirations. This article explores the colleges and universities in and around Statesboro, with a focus on Georgia Southern University, its history, academic offerings, and campus life.

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University, a member institution of the University System of Georgia, stands as the largest and most comprehensive center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia. The university's flagship campus is located in Statesboro, with additional campuses in Savannah (Armstrong Campus), Swainsboro (East Georgia Campus), and Hinesville (Liberty Campus).

A History of Growth and Transformation

Founded in 1906 as the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School, Georgia Southern initially focused on teaching modern agricultural production techniques and homemaking skills to rural school children. The newspaper in Statesboro learned early in 1906 of the state’s plan to open a new industrial and agricultural school in the First Congressional District. When the school opened in 1908, it was officially named the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School, but the students called it the “Culture,” a shortened form of agriculture. The nickname took on a larger meaning for local citizens who viewed the A&M School as a symbol of their own aspirations. Within two decades, the institution shifted its emphasis to meet the growing need for teachers within the state. Its name and mission were changed in 1924 to Georgia Normal School, as a training ground for teachers. The legislature finally recognized the academic transformation of the Normal School in 1929, renaming it South Georgia Teachers College, a full-fledged four-year college. In 1939 a new name, Georgia Teachers College, marked President Marvin Pittman’s successful effort to transform the college into a statewide center for teacher education. Pittman’s progressive outlook put him at odds with Georgia governor Eugene Talmadge. In 1941 the governor “purged” the university system. Two notable casualties were Pittman and a dean at the University of Georgia, Walter Cocking. The situations became known as the “Cocking affair.” Another casualty was higher education in Georgia, as national academic agencies disaccredited the entire university system. Most faculty and local citizens firmly supported President Pittman and their college. When Pittman retired in 1947, the college was in the early stages of a growth spurt, fueled largely by returning veterans from World War II (1941-45).

The university finally integrated its student body in 1965, eleven years after the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Georgia Southern has continued its program and physical expansion. Since then, the university has embarked on a massive upgrade of facilities, adding more than $300 million in new construction. Georgia Southern was named a Doctoral/Research University by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2006. Since 1999, two new colleges have been established: the College of Information Technology in 2001, and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health in 2004. Additional undergraduate and graduate programs were formed, including doctorate degrees in psychology, public health and nursing. In 2011, the university established the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, formerly known as College of Engineering and Information Technology, which combines the previous College of IT with its engineering programs. In addition, at the same time it created the College of Science and Mathematics, previously known as the Allen E.

Georgia Southern University was founded in 1906 as a school for teaching modern agricultural production techniques and homemaking skills to rural students. It’s Armstrong campus in Savannah was established in 1935 as Armstrong Junior College for local youth who could not afford to attend college away from home. The Liberty Center in Hinesville was established in 1998 to serve the military and their families at nearby Fort Stewart, the largest military base east of the Mississippi. All three locations came together in 2018 when Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University consolidated.

Campus Consolidation

On January 11, 2017, the Regents of the University System of Georgia announced that the university would merge with Armstrong State University in Savannah as part of the ongoing campus consolidations recommended by the University System of Georgia (USG). Since 2011, in an attempt to improve efficiency and lower costs, the USG has consolidated several colleges and universities within its system, merging some and closing others while altering or transforming curriculums. On April 8, 2025, University System Chancellor Sonny Perdue made a recommendation to the Board of Regents to consolidate Georgia Southern with East Georgia State College (EGSC) in Swainsboro, effective January 1, 2026. On April 15, 2025, the Regents held their monthly board meeting on the main campus of Georgia Southern, formally approving the consolidation of Georgia Southern and EGSC.

Academic Programs and Colleges

Georgia Southern University provides undergraduate and graduate levels through eight colleges: Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Education, College of Science and Mathematics, Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, Parker College of Business Administration, and Waters College of Health Professions.

The university offers a wide array of degree programs, including:

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology, Art, Biology, English, History, International Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Theatre, World Languages & Cultures.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Management, Supply Chain Management.
Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT): Information Technology (Online).
Bachelor of Music (BM): Music.
Bachelor of Science (BS): Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design, Geosciences, Human Development and Family Science, Interior Architecture and Design, Mathematical Sciences, Multimedia Journalism, Nutrition and Food Science, Physics, Psychology, Public Relations.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE): Civil Engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE): Computer Engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSCons): Construction Management.
Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd): Health and Physical Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT): Information Technology.
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSK): Exercise Science.
Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering (BSMfgE): Manufacturing Engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME): Mechanical Engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (BSMLS): Medical Laboratory Science (Online).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Nursing RN-BSN (Online).
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH): Public Health.
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS): Radiologic Sciences.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): Art.
Associate of Arts (AA): Core Curriculum (Hinesville, Online).

Online bachelor's degrees are available in nursing, general studies, and information technology. Master's programs are offered in kinesiology, instructional technology, accomplished teaching, instructional improvement, higher education administration, reading education, middle grades education, secondary education, special education, and educational leadership. Additionally, the university offers master's degrees in business administration, applied economics, accounting, computer science and sport management.

The Ph.D. in Logistics/Supply Chain Management is the first of its kind to be offered in the state of Georgia through the university's Parker College of Business.

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Campus Life and Facilities

Georgia Southern's flagship campus is located in the city of Statesboro, Georgia and is accessible by Interstate 16 from the cities of Macon and Savannah. The 634-acre campus has landscaped lawns, pine forests, and two lakes. Walkways wind through the campus and connect the main academic buildings. The academic center is the library, which is undergoing a major expansion to provide more collections and services.

Georgia Southern currently has seven housing facilities, Centennial Place, Kennedy Hall, Watson Hall, Eagle Village, Freedom's Landing, Southern Courtyard, and Southern Pines offering mostly suite and apartment configurations. In the fall of 2008, Centennial Place, a residential complex with four buildings, was constructed. Georgia Southern University purchased Campus Club during May 2012 and began offering campus housing under the name of Freedom's Landing for the fall 2012 semester.

The university offers a variety of facilities and resources to enhance the student experience:

Zach S. Henderson Library: Completely renovated and significantly expanded, providing extensive collections and services.
Eugene M. Bishop Alumni Center: A gathering place for alumni and friends of the university, completed in 2009.
Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball Jr. Raptor Center: An educational and research facility located on 18 acres (73,000 m2). In addition to undergraduate and graduate research, the center hosts over 165,500 annual visitors through general admission and off-site outreach programs. The center is home to "Freedom", Georgia Southern's American bald eagle mascot, as well as 85 other birds, 67 reptiles, 70 amphibians, and eight mammals. Species of birds of prey include hawks, owls, falcons, kestrels, vultures. The center also contains an amphitheater and an indoor classroom. Inside the center, exhibitions of reptiles and amphibians such as alligators, painted turtles, box turtles, and gopher tortoises, rattlesnakes, corn snakes, king snakes, boa constrictors, pythons, are held. The staff perform demonstrations of raptors in flight. In 2009, the center added a 12-acre (49,000 m2) expansion known as the Wetland Preserve, featuring various species of water fowl in their native habitats.
Recreation Activity Center (RAC): A 220,000-square-foot (20,000 m2) complex that includes areas for weight lifting, cardio, and basketball.
Georgia Southern Botanical Garden: Centered on an early 20th-century farmstead and offers visitors a view of the cultural and natural heritage of the southeastern coastal plain, an area rich in endangered plants.
Southern Express: Georgia Southern's bus transportation system. In the fall of 2010, adjustments were made and two new routes with a total of eight buses were introduced. The Gold Route runs from the University Store and makes two stops on Forest Drive before proceeding to the RAC and the park-ride lot at Paulson Stadium. The Gold Route Buses then return to the store making the same stops as before. The Blue Route makes one large circle. The Blue route starts at the University Store and makes two stops on Forest Drive and two stops on Lanier Drive before returning to the University Store. The buses change their routes on days of football games to accommodate fans.
The Center for Art & Theatre: Opened on February 29, 2008. One of its three galleries is the permanent home of the Georgia Artists Collection, a continuously expanding gift of pieces established and curated by Betty Foy Sanders, Bulloch County native and wife of former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. Other galleries feature scheduled exhibitions of private, student, and faculty works. The Performing Arts Center is home to touring shows, lecturers, and programs for cultural outreach.
Eagle Dining Services: Manages all dining locations on campus, including an on-campus Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. They also have their own concepts of Zach's Brews (located in the Zach Henderson Library), Market Street Deli (located in the IT Building), Sushi with Gusto (located in the Nursing/Chemistry Building), and Oasis Smoothie & Juice Bar (located in the Recreation and Activities Center). Georgia Southern University is one of the first to implement a biometric iris recognition system to gain entry to the dining halls in lieu of a swipe card.

Student Life and Organizations

There are many types of organizations on campus, including professional, Greek letter, cultural, service and religious. The Armed Forces ROTC would be considered as a professional student organization while the Hispanic Student Association would be considered a cultural student organization. Political organizations include the Young Democrats and Young Americans for Liberty. The Young Democrats of Georgia Southern has established significant efforts in getting students to vote. Although Georgia Southern is not a military college, it has an Eagle Battalion ROTC. It also produces a large number of military nurses.

The Department of Student Media houses six divisions: the George-Anne, Business, Marketing, Magazines, and two Production divisions, one digital, one print. Each of these divisions is led by one student Executive Officer who reports to the director and the Student Media Advisory Board. The board is composed of students and staff. The George-Anne, Student Media's flagship publication for the Statesboro campus, is published on the Statesboro Campus every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer terms, it is published biweekly on Thursdays. It also publishes online daily at thegeorgeanne.com. The George-Anne, Inkwell Edition publishes weekly on Thursdays for the Armstrong Campus. The Magazines Division produces The Reflector, The Miscellany, Our House, Lantern Walk and Our Neighborhood. The Reflector is the student interest news magazine of Georgia Southern. The Miscellany is a literary arts magazine made up of submissions from the student body and universi…

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Armstrong Campus

Georgia Southern's Armstrong Campus is located in Savannah, accessible by Interstate 16 and Interstate 95. The Armstrong campus is located in a suburban setting near the Savannah Mall, with direct access to downtown Savannah via Abercorn Expressway. Lane Library is the main academic and research library on the Armstrong campus. The Science Center complex is a two-building complex connected by an enclosed glass walkway. It is home to the Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Psychology departments. It includes classroom and lecture space, faculty offices, and labs. A 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m2), $24 million student union opened in 2010. It was the Armstrong State University's first green building, built with rapidly renewable and recycled materials and featuring a high-efficiency chilled water cooling system. The union houses a 300-seat food court, 200-seat movie theatre, ballroom, bookstore, coffeehouse, convenience store, and expansive porches and lounges. Next to the Student Union is the Memorial College Center. Armstrong's athletic facilities are located in the southeast area of campus. On April 24, 2013, Armstrong completed renovations to the Memorial College Center, opening the Learning Commons. The 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m2) space was developed as an extension to the campus's Lane Library.

Liberty Campus

The Liberty Campus in Hinesville first began operations as a satellite campus of Armstrong State University in 1997, moving to its current facilities in January 2016. It offers select programs to residents of Liberty County and surrounding areas. The Liberty Campus provides special services to Fort Stewart military personnel and their families.

Rankings and Recognition

Georgia Southern University is recognized nationwide for its academic expertise, value, and student experience. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Georgia Southern University is ranked No. #343 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #187 in Top Public Schools.

Enrollment and Demographics

In the fall of 2024, the university had a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,618 students. The student-faculty ratio at Georgia Southern University is 25:1. Sixty percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $15,266. The four-year graduation rate is 36%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $44,423.

Research and Innovation

Georgia Southern is involved in energy-related issues in a move toward energy independence and self-sufficiency, with a focus on renewable energy and environmental science research. The State of Georgia established and funded an Endowed Chair of Renewable Energy at Georgia Southern, and biofuel facilities in the state are converting Georgia-grown agricultural products into marketable fuel. The research team is identifying renewable sources of energy in south Georgia and design and evaluate products to capture the energy in a usable form for commercial or residential use in the region. The research team is also assisting regional industries in energy consumption analysis, appropriate strategies for conservation of energy, and preservation of our environments.

Georgia Southern is home to the Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology. In honor of the founder of the institute, the name was changed in 2013 to the James H.

Georgia Southern University welcomed Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to campus in April 2012 to sign Georgia Senate Bill 396 into law transferring management of the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center to the university. The new legislation, which aligned the university and Herty to create the Georgia Southern University Herty Advanced Materials Development Center, is designed to enhance economic and business development in the state of Georgia. The alignment became effective July 1, 2012. The Herty Advanced Material Development Center, which is located near the Port of Savannah, is named for the chemist, businessman and academic Charles Herty (1837-1938), who revolutionized the nation's naval stores industry through innovations in turpentine and paper making in the early 1900s. Herty devised the first system for manufacturing newsprint from southern pines, giving the South a tremendously successful cash crop. His first experiments on southern pines were conducted in a forest located on the university's campus.

Challenges and Controversies

In October 2019, some students of Georgia Southern University publicly burned books of Cuban-American novelist Jennine Capó Crucet after she gave a talk on campus. Journalist Abby Martin was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at Georgia Southern University's eighth annual International Critical Media Literacy Conference at Georgia Coastal Center in Savannah on February 28, 2020. When she received the contract for this engagement from GSU, she noted a paragraph included pursuant to Georgia's law prohibiting participation in boycotts of Israel on the part of parties doing business with the State of Georgia passed in 2016. She refused to agree to its stipulations and after she communicated her refusal to GSU, GSU cancelled the engagement. Thereupon, Martin filed suit against GSU and a number of its officials in the Federal District Court for Northern Georgia seeking the voiding of the Georgia statute on grounds of unconstitutional violation of her rights.

Other Colleges and Universities Near Statesboro

While Georgia Southern University is the primary institution in Statesboro, several other colleges and universities are located in the surrounding areas, offering a variety of educational opportunities.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Located in Savannah, SCAD is a well-known art and design school offering a range of programs. In 2024, SCAD completed 2,635 bachelor's degrees and 1,052 master's degrees.

University of South Carolina Beaufort

The University of South Carolina Beaufort is another option in the region. In 2024, the university completed 378 bachelor's degrees and 8 master's degrees.

Franklin University

Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.

Cost of Education

The cost of education varies among the different institutions. For nonprofit schools near Statesboro, the average annual tuition is $25,086.

Job Market Outlook in Statesboro, Georgia

In 2024, there were approximately 432,873 jobs in the Statesboro, Georgia area. From 2023 to 2024, job growth in Statesboro was below the national average, at 1.6%. There were 57,406 job openings in the area.

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