Southern States University

Annual Report 2025

This annual report shares key highlights from Academic Year 2025, including enrollment, student outcomes, academic support, library use, and feedback from the SSU community.

University Snapshot

Key institutional indicators highlighting enrollment, student success, persistence, and academic engagement during Academic Year 2025.

Fall 2025 Enrollment

191

Total enrolled students during the Fall 2025 reporting period across all campuses and programs.

New Fall 2025 Students

54

New students admitted during the Fall 2025 reporting period.

Students Continuing Their Studies

94%

290 retained students from 310 reviewed in Academic Year 2024–2025 retention reporting.

Research Resource Usage

575K+

More than 575,000 research interactions across GALE and ProQuest systems during Academic Year 2025.

Enrollment & Student Community

This section provides an overview of the students who make up the Southern States University community. It highlights enrollment patterns, student growth, academic programs, and the continued demand for SSU educational opportunities.

Data Note

Enrollment reporting reflects the official university enrollment records for Academic Year 2025–2026. The data help show how many students SSU served across recent terms and how enrollment changed over time.

Fall 2025 Enrollment

191

Total enrolled students during the Fall 2025 reporting period across all campuses and programs.

New Fall 2025 Students

54

New students admitted during the Fall 2025 reporting period.

Largest Program

MBA

MBA remained the institution’s largest academic program across the reviewed enrollment period.

Enrollment Stability

Stable

Recent enrollment remained within a relatively narrow range from 2024 through Spring 2026.

Recent Enrollment Trend: All Programs
TermActive ContinuingActive Newapproved leave / VacationWithdrawalsCompletedActive Excluding approved leaveAll Active Including approved leave
Fall 20202354427954306306
Winter 202121347251130285285
Spring 202122045241136289289
Summer 202120640361538282282
Fall 202119966292238294294
Winter 20222086626831300300
Spring 20222344224345300300
Summer 20221954340535278278
Fall 2022195654000306306
Winter 202322738251023257257
Spring 202321937371644233233
Summer 20231952737928226226
Fall 202318958373238214214
Winter 202420329111947177243
Spring 202414536321321179213
Summer 20241462333919174202
Fall 20241554619330187220
Winter 202516045271011203232
Spring 2025183322000185235
Summer 20251793433534179218
Fall 20251915433933191233
Winter 20261903734434190228
Spring 2026170302000220220
Enrollment by Program, 2022–2025
Program 2022 2023 2024 2025
BBA62565668
MBA194189164143
MSIT100834334
Undergraduate Certificates48405450
Graduate Certificate in BA15151320
Graduate Certificate in IT15101217
Total434393342332
Enrollment by Program Analysis
Finding Evidence Interpretation
MBA remains the largest program.MBA had 143 students in 2025.Graduate business enrollment continues to represent the largest share of SSU enrollment.
BBA enrollment increased in 2025.BBA enrollment increased from 56 in 2024 to 68 in 2025.The undergraduate business program showed growth after remaining steady in 2023 and 2024.
Certificate enrollment remains an important part of the academic mix.Undergraduate Certificates had 50 students, GCBA had 20, and GCIT had 17 in 2025.Certificate programs continue to provide focused academic pathways for students.
Total enrollment declined modestly from 2024 to 2025.Total enrollment changed from 342 in 2024 to 332 in 2025.The overall decrease was relatively small compared with the larger decline between 2023 and 2024.
Recent Enrollment Analysis
FindingEvidenceInterpretation
Enrollment stabilized after the 2023 low point.All-active enrollment moved from 214 in Fall 2023 to 220 in Fall 2024, 233 in Fall 2025, and 220 in Spring 2026.Recent enrollment suggests recovery and stabilization following lower enrollment levels in 2023.
Spring 2025 was the highest recent enrollment term.Spring 2025 reported 235 all-active students including approved leaves.This term represents the high point in the most recent reporting cycle.
Fall remains an important enrollment cycle.Fall 2025 included 54 active new students, the highest new-student count in the recent 2024–2026 trend period.Fall enrollment activity continues to be a key driver of institutional enrollment stability.
approved leave volume is material to total enrollment interpretation.approved leave/vacation counts ranged from 19 to 34 students in recent terms.Reporting both active excluding approved leave and all-active including approved leave provides a clearer institutional enrollment picture.

“Enrollment activity remained stable across recent reporting terms, with Fall cycles continuing to play an important role in supporting institutional enrollment.”

Enrollment Summary

Enrollment Analysis

Southern States University maintained a stable recent enrollment profile after lower enrollment levels in 2023. All-active enrollment increased from 214 in Fall 2023 to 220 in Fall 2024, reached 233 in Fall 2025, and remained at 220 in Spring 2026. Spring 2025 represented the highest recent enrollment term at 235 students when active students and approved leaves were included.

The expanded trend table shows that enrollment interpretation is strengthened by viewing continuing active students, active new students, approved leave/vacation status, withdrawals, completions, and all-active enrollment together. This broader view shows both student movement and overall institutional stability across terms.

Student Success & Graduation

Graduation outcomes help show how students move through their academic programs and reach their educational goals.

Graduate Student Success

64.5%

MBA/MSIT combined 150% timeline: 78 graduates from 121 adjusted cohort students.

Certificate Student Success

90.3%

Certificate in Marketing had 28 graduates from 31 adjusted cohort students on the 100% timeline.

BBA 8-Year

51.2%

BBA 8-year completion: 83 graduates from 162 adjusted cohort students.

Certificate 8-Year

100%

Certificate 8-year completion: 3 graduates from 3 adjusted cohort students.

Graduation Rates by Program (100% Timeframe)
Program 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
BBA66%44%100%20%50%33%14%
MBA67%66%56%74%64%63%67%
MSITN/A100%83%73%67%44%41%
CM100%100%38%69%87%75%90%
GCBA100%80%50%64%100%55%80%
GCITN/AN/AN/A33%100%43%80%
Overall Average83%78%65%56%78%52%62%
Extended Completion Timeframes
Timeline Program/Group Students in Group Completed Program Completion Rate
150%BBA14964.3%
150%MBA795974.7%
150%MSIT421945.2%
150%MBA/MSIT Combined1217864.5%
8-YearBBA1628351.2%
8-YearCertificates Combined33100.0%

Retention & Student Persistence

Student retention shows the percentage of students who continue their studies from one academic period to the next. Strong retention is one sign that students are engaged, supported, and making progress toward completion.

Students Continuing Their Studies

94%

290 retained students from 310 reviewed.

Graduate Student Success

95%

MBA retained 126 of 132 students; MSIT retained 31 of 33 students.

Certificate Student Success

89%

75 retained students from 84 certificate students reviewed.

Top Campus Result

100%

Las Vegas MBA cohort retained 13 of 13 students.

Students Continuing Their Studies Summary
Academic AreaTotal StudentsWithdrawalsRetainedRetention Rate
BBA6135895%
Certificate Student Success8497589%
MBA132612695%
MSIT3323194%
Students Continuing Their Studies3102029094%

Who Our Students Are & Academic Profile

This section highlights the backgrounds, campus locations, and current SSU academic profile of new students admitted during the Fall 2025 reporting period.

Data Note

The information below represents new students admitted during the Fall 2025 reporting period. GPA values show each student’s current SSU GPA at the time of the report. These are not transfer GPAs or prior-school GPAs.

New Fall 2025 Students

54

New students admitted during the Fall 2025 reporting period.

Average Current SSU GPA

2.97

Includes all students in the Fall 2025 group, including students who had not yet earned an SSU GPA at the time of the report.

Average GPA Among Students With Completed Coursework

3.41

Among students who had completed coursework and earned an SSU GPA above 0.00.

Largest Country of Origin

Brazil

Brazil represented 14 students, or 23% of the cohort.

Country of Origin Distribution

Brazil 14 / 23%; Tunisia 8 / 13%; Kazakhstan 4 / 7%; Turkey 4 / 7%; Philippines 3 / 5%; Other Countries 28 / 46%.

Gender Distribution

Male64%
Female36%

The Fall 2025 new student group included both male and female students across SSU campus locations.

Campus Distribution

Irvine46%
San Diego33%
Las Vegas20%
Online2%

Grade Distribution & Academic Performance

Academic Year 2025 gradebook analysis across Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025 course enrollments.

Data Note

Grade distribution reporting reflects 2025 course enrollment and final grade records. GPA calculations use final letter grades with standard grade points and are weighted by course credits. Pass and withdrawal summaries include all final grade records, including P and W outcomes where applicable.

Average GPA

3.48

Credit-weighted average GPA across all gradable 2025 course records.

Total Students

332

Unique students appearing in the 2025 gradebook records.

Average Class Size

14.2

Average number of students per course section across 2025 terms.

Student-Faculty Ratio

14.4

Unique student count divided by unique primary faculty IDs in the gradebook.

A/B Grade Share

89.5%

Final grade records of A, A-, B+, B, or B-.

Successful Completion

96.4%

Final grade records of C- or higher, including pass grades.

D/F/W Share

3.6%

Final grade records of D, F, or W.

BBA Students

68

BBA students represented in the 2025 gradebook, with an average BBA class size of 10.2.

Final Grade Distribution & Learning Outcomes
Final GradeRecordsPercent of All Grade Records
A88945.4%
A-40620.7%
B+20210.3%
B1196.1%
B-1366.9%
C+442.2%
C392.0%
C-301.5%
D221.1%
F331.7%
P231.2%
W150.8%
Total Grade Records1,958100.0%
Average GPA by Term
TermGradable Course RecordsUnique StudentsCredit-Weighted GPA
Winter 20254912033.53
Spring 20254962143.47
Summer 20254301813.47
Fall 20255032103.44
Academic Year 20251,9203323.48
Academic Performance by Program
ProgramUnique StudentsGradable Course RecordsCredit-Weighted GPA
MBA1437633.64
BBA685443.23
CM472703.40
MSIT341653.77
GCBA20903.28
GCIT17883.68

“Gradebook data indicates strong academic performance across 2025, with nearly nine in ten final grade records in the A/B range.”

Grade Distribution & Learning Outcomes Summary

Grade Distribution & Learning Outcomes Analysis

Academic Year 2025 gradebook results show a credit-weighted GPA of 3.48 across 1,920 gradable course records and 332 unique students. A and A- grades represented the largest share of final grades, and A/B-level grades accounted for 89.5% of all final grade records.

The D/F/W share remained low at 3.6%, suggesting that most enrolled students successfully completed coursework during the reporting year. Program-level GPA was strongest in MSIT and GCIT, while MBA remained the largest program represented in the gradebook records.

Academic Achievement & Student Progress

Southern States University monitors academic progress to help students stay on track and receive support when needed.

Data Note

Academic progress information reflects students placed on academic probation during Academic Year 2025. Percentages are calculated using 2025 enrollment counts by program, allowing probation rates to be compared more fairly across programs of different sizes.

Students on Academic Probation

34

Students identified for academic probation and additional progress monitoring during 2025.

Overall Probation Rate

10.2%

34 students on probation out of 332 students in the 2025 enrollment count.

Largest Program Count

MBA

MBA had 17 students on probation, representing 11.9% of MBA enrollment.

Highest Program Rate

Cert.

Certificates had the highest program probation rate at 27.0%.

Students on Academic Probation by Program
Program Students on Probation 2025 Enrollment % of Students on Probation Interpretation
MSIT1342.9%MSIT had the lowest probation rate among the reviewed academic areas.
BBA6688.8%BBA was below the overall SSU probation rate.
MBA1714311.9%MBA had the largest number of students on probation and was slightly above the institutional rate.
Certificates (Combined)103727.0%Certificate programs had the highest probation rate and may benefit from continued monitoring and support.
SSU Total3433210.2%Overall percentage of SSU students on academic probation during 2025.
Students on Academic Probation by Campus
Campus Students on Academic Probation Share of 2025 Probation Cases Interpretation
San Diego824%San Diego accounted for about one-quarter of 2025 probation cases.
Las Vegas00%No academic probation cases were reported for Las Vegas in the 2025 summary.
Irvine2676%Irvine accounted for the largest number of students receiving academic progress monitoring.
Total34100%Total students placed on academic probation during Academic Year 2025.
Students on Academic Probation by Term
Term Students on Academic Probation Share of 2025 Probation Cases Interpretation
Winter 2025412%Winter had the lowest number of academic probation cases.
Spring 20251235%Spring had the highest number of academic probation cases.
Summer 20251132%Summer remained elevated and close to the Spring count.
Fall 2025721%Fall probation activity decreased compared with Spring and Summer.
Total34100%Total students placed on academic probation during Academic Year 2025.

“Academic progress monitoring helps SSU identify students who may benefit from additional support and guidance.”

Academic Progress Summary

Academic Progress Analysis

During Academic Year 2025, 34 students were placed on academic probation, representing 10.2% of the 2025 enrollment count. Looking at the percentage of students on probation by program provides a clearer view than counts alone because it accounts for differences in program size.

Certificate programs had the highest program-level probation rate at 27.0%, while MBA had the largest number of students on probation. Spring and Summer 2025 had the highest levels of academic probation activity, suggesting these terms may be important points for proactive advising, outreach, and student support planning.

Research & Library Resources

Library services support student learning, faculty teaching, and academic research across the university.

Data Note

Library reporting includes physical holdings and digital resource use from LibraryWorld, LIRN, GALE, and ProQuest systems.

Research Resource Use

575K+

Students and faculty used library research tools more than 575,000 times during Academic Year 2025.

Digital Databases

577

Broad digital research access through LIRN, GALE, and ProQuest systems.

Physical Holdings

1,875

Physical holding records across books, media, and serial resources.

Journal Requests

664

Largest category of direct library content retrieval activity.

Library Collection Overview
Collection CategoryPhysical ResourcesDigital/Electronic ResourcesPrimary Systems
Books1,759146LibraryWorld, ProQuest, GALE
DatabasesN/A577LIRN
Media96N/ALibraryWorld
Serials & Journals20706ProQuest, GALE
Total Catalog Holdings1,8751,429+Integrated Library Systems
Research Database Utilization
PlatformMetricTotal ActivityAnalysis
GALE DatabasesTotal Searches43,337Strong multidisciplinary research engagement.
GALE JournalsJournal Retrievals58Targeted journal retrieval activity.
GALE eBookseBook Retrievals88Reference-focused eBook usage.
ProQuest PlatformPlatform Searches285,821Highest-volume digital research platform.
ProQuest DatabasesDatabase Activity246,336Extensive use of ProQuest database systems.
Total CombinedResearch Activity575,640+Substantial institutional research activity during AY 2025.

Student, Faculty & Staff Feedback

Feedback surveys help SSU understand student, faculty, and staff experiences and identify opportunities for continued improvement.

Data Note

Student satisfaction reporting reflects all Student, Faculty & Staff Feedback institutional records, including Irvine, San Diego, Las Vegas, MBA, and BBA survey reporting tables. Percentages represent positive satisfaction responses for each reporting year.

Overall Satisfaction

90%

Overall institutional satisfaction across all campuses during 2025–2026.

Teaching & Learning

91%

Students continued to report positive experiences with instruction and classroom support.

Academic Advising

92%

Students continued to report positive experiences with advising and academic guidance.

Technology Systems

90%

Students reported positive experiences with SSU’s online learning and technology systems.

Longitudinal Satisfaction Trends
Survey Area2019–20202020–20212021–20222022–20232023–20242024–20252025–2026
Orientation96%91%100%94%69%86%92%
Academic Advising94%91%100%100%88%89%92%
Administrative Support95%96%98%96%69%91%89%
Career Services92%74%100%94%67%79%83%
Library Services91%88%100%91%77%87%86%
LMS / Moodle95%82%100%97%92%91%90%
Teaching Quality91%87%100%100%100%100%91%
Overall Satisfaction91%86%100%100%79%90%90%
Additional Stakeholder Feedback

The student satisfaction results above remain the primary focus of this section. Additional faculty and staff feedback is available through the linked SurveyMonkey results below and may be used to support institutional planning, assessment, and continuous improvement activities.

Faculty & Staff Satisfaction Survey

Review combined faculty and staff feedback regarding workplace climate, communication, leadership effectiveness, institutional support, professional development opportunities, and overall satisfaction.

View Survey Results →

Peer Institution Comparison & Market Position

Comparing SSU with similar institutions helps provide context for understanding student success, cost, retention, and completion outcomes.

Data Note

Peer institution information is based on publicly available IPEDS comparison data generated June 2, 2026. The table below includes comparison institutions listed in the 2025 IPEDS comparison report.

Average Cost

$41,762

Average total cost for out-of-state students living off campus among institutions with available cost data.

Average Admit Rate

65%

Average admission rate among institutions with available admissions data.

Average Completion Rate

45%

Average graduation rate among comparison institutions with available graduation data.

Average Retention Rate

69%

Average full-time retention rate among institutions with available retention data.

Peer Institution Comparison Overview
Institution Total Cost Admit Rate Completion Rate Full-Time Retention Rate
Abraham Lincoln University$37,294N/AN/A33%
Alliant International University-San Diego$48,740N/AN/AN/A
Ashford University$37,249N/A11%35%
California Miramar University$42,52018%50%92%
Southern California Institute of Technology$41,52374%74%100%
United States University$34,172N/AN/AN/A
University of Nevada-Las Vegas$48,07396%51%79%
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaN/AN/A22%N/A
University of Phoenix-NevadaN/AN/AN/AN/A
University of West Los AngelesN/AN/AN/AN/A
Westcliff University$44,52473%62%72%
Comparison Group Average$41,76265%45%69%

“Peer comparison data helps place SSU’s enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes in context with similar institutions.”

Peer Comparison Summary

Peer Comparison Analysis

The comparison group shows meaningful variation in admission rates, costs, graduation rates, and full-time retention rates. Institutions with available data reported an average total cost of $41,762, an average admit rate of 65%, an average graduation rate of 45%, and an average full-time retention rate of 69%. These peer benchmarks provide useful context for understanding SSU’s student success and institutional performance outcomes.