Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design has an acceptance rate of 83.0%, an average net price of $50,165, and an overall rank of #1745 (Grade C). About 70.1% of students graduate within 150% of normal time, and median earnings are $50,729 five years after graduation. Data from the U.S. Department of Education and EDsmart's 2027 rankings.
Savannah College of Art and Design is a private nonprofit university in Savannah, GA. Students most often pursue Radio, Television, and Digital Communication and Architectural Sciences and Technology.
Day to day, students benefit from a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, and 86.3% first-year retention. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 22.7%, roughly 27.2 points below typical outcomes. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Savannah College of Art and Design Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates 70.1% of students within 150% of normal time (the completion rate used in EDsmart rankings), with an 8-year award rate of 68.7% and keeps 86.3% of first-year students. Affordability earns a D- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Savannah College of Art and Design's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Est. annual aid gap: $15,843 Cash cost of attendance minus average net price after aid.
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $42,665 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,043 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $18,798 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,314 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $66,008 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 23.0% of Savannah College of Art and Design students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $46,639 to $52,866 depending on family income. Use Savannah College of Art and Design's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $51,768/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $52,866/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- Median Earnings (5 Years After Graduation) $50,729
- 10-Year Median Earnings $51,635
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $22,167
- Debt-to-Earnings ~43.7%
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 55.4%
- Employment Rate 87.8%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Savannah College of Art and Design graduates about 10 years after enrollment (25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile). Different horizon than median earnings five years after graduation above.
Savannah College of Art and Design vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Savannah College of Art and Design's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Savannah College of Art and Design's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Savannah College of Art and Design graduates earn $50,729 median, the 22.7% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 540-660
- SAT Math 490-610
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 21-28
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 15,243
- Full-Time Students 87.9%
- Part-Time Students 12.1%
- Retention Rate 86.3%
- Grad Rate (150% time) 70.1%
- Grad Rate (8-year) 68.7%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 21:1
How to Get Into Savannah College of Art and Design
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Savannah College of Art and Design requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 83.0%, Savannah College of Art and Design is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 83.0% acceptance rate, Savannah College of Art and Design is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1030 and 1270 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Savannah College of Art and Design undergraduates. Design and Applied Arts, Graphic Communications, and Film/Video and Photographic Arts draw the most students.
- Design and Applied Arts 27.4%
- Graphic Communications 19.0%
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts 13.1%
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication 12.8%
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 8.0%
- Fine and Studio Arts 3.8%
See more majors
- Engineering, General 3.6%
- Apparel and Textiles 3.5%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication $71,576
- 2. Architectural Sciences and Technology $70,558
- 3. Apparel and Textiles $59,103
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Design and Applied Arts $48,511
- 5. Film/Video and Photographic Arts $48,025
- 6. Graphic Communications $46,314
- 7. Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians $42,431
- 8. Fine and Studio Arts $42,052
- 9. Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies $39,418
- 10. Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft $38,938
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degree) $131,714
- 2. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication (Master's Degree) $91,779
- 3. Architectural Sciences and Technology (Master's Degree) $81,546
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degree) $67,924
- 5. Historic Preservation and Conservation (Master's Degree) $63,750
- 6. Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (Master's Degree) $61,254
- 7. Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degree) $59,985
- 8. Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Master's Degree) $59,290
- 9. Graphic Communications (Master's Degree) $50,007
- 10. Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degree) $49,997
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication grads earn $71,576—84% more than Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($38,938). Graduate: Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management programs lead with $131,714 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
U.S. Department of Education data reports fully online programs for Savannah College of Art and Design. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degree, 524 graduates)
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degree, 361 graduates)
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degree, 220 graduates)
- Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degree, 104 graduates)
- Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degree, 100 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
U.S. Department of Education data flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (16 programs)▼
- Graphic Communications
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Engineering, General
- Apparel and Textiles
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Human Computer Interaction
- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Systems Science and Theory
- Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Historic Preservation and Conservation
- Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation
Online Master's Degrees (9 programs)▼
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Engineering, General
- Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 15,243
- Full-Time Students 87.9%
- Part-Time Students 12.1%
- Male Students 29.4%
- Female Students 70.6%
- Caucasian 51.6%
- Asian 5.9%
- Hispanic 7.8%
- Black 13.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients 23.0%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Savannah College of Art and Design's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Savannah College of Art and Design's undergraduate population. Women make up 70.6% of the student body, while men represent 29.4%.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Savannah College of Art and Design support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Savannah College of Art and Design, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Women make up 70.6% of undergraduates. About 23.0% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Savannah College of Art and Design support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Savannah College of Art and Design, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Savannah College of Art and Design offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with 22.7% ROI. Ranked #1745 overall, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $50,165 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $50,729 median earnings. With 70.1% graduating within 150% of normal time and 86.3% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Savannah College of Art and Design's Positioning
With a C grade and #1745 ranking, Savannah College of Art and Design competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $50,165 annually, Savannah College of Art and Design charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 86.3% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $35,116 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The 22.7% ROI and $50,729 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $40,165+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Savannah College of Art and Design ranks #1745 of 1955 institutions, with 1719 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 70.1% graduation rate sits 7.6 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 86.3% first-year retention is 9.5 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- 22.7% return on investment is 27.2 points below the national 49.9% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $50,729 run about 18% lower than national outcomes five years after graduation.
- Average net price of $50,165 is roughly $30,284 higher than the national median of $19,881.
Helpfulness for Students
- 21:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 86.3% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 87.8% employment rate within three years sits 19.6 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $50,165 is about $30,284 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 23.0% trails the national share by 15.4 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Savannah, GA, Savannah College of Art and Design operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a C from EDsmart. It is currently ranked #1745 overall Category results include Completion (A-), Support (B-), Career Outcomes (C+), and Affordability (D-).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2027 rankings methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 86.3% retention, 70.1% graduation within 150% of normal time, and 68.7% earning an award within eight years. Return on investment currently measures 22.7% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $50,165 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $66,008.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $15,843 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $22,167 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 23.0% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $50,729 five years after graduation. Compared with the national median, that's 18% lower.
The three-year employment rate is close to 87.8%.
Plan around an ROI of about 22.7% according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
83.0% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Savannah College of Art and Design admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Cite this profile
Add your access date when you publish.
APA (7th): EDsmart. (2026). Savannah College of Art and Design: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings. https://www.edsmart.org/schools/savannah-college-of-art-and-design/
MLA (9th): “Savannah College of Art and Design: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings.” EDsmart, 2026, www.edsmart.org/schools/savannah-college-of-art-and-design/.
Chicago: EDsmart. “Savannah College of Art and Design: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings.” https://www.edsmart.org/schools/savannah-college-of-art-and-design/.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savannah College of Art and Design's acceptance rate?
Savannah College of Art and Design's acceptance rate is 83.0%, based on U.S. Department of Education admissions data.
How much does Savannah College of Art and Design cost?
At Savannah College of Art and Design, the average net price after grants and scholarships is $50,165 per year. That covers tuition, books, and living costs, which total $66,008 a year before aid. Tuition and fees alone are $42,665. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Savannah College of Art and Design's ranking?
Savannah College of Art and Design ranks #1745 overall in EDsmart's 2027 college rankings with an overall grade of C, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Savannah College of Art and Design's graduation rate?
At Savannah College of Art and Design, the graduation rate within 150% of normal time is 70.1% (the rate used in EDsmart rankings), the federal 8-year award rate is 68.7%, and first-year retention is 86.3%.
What are Savannah College of Art and Design's job outcomes?
Graduates of Savannah College of Art and Design report median earnings of $50,729 five years after graduation, according to U.S. Department of Education outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Savannah College of Art and Design's student population?
Savannah College of Art and Design enrolls about 15,243 undergraduate students, per U.S. Department of Education enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address 342 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31402-3146
- Website www.scad.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
- Endowment$326.7M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate15.9%