Savannah College of Art and Design
- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,954 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $49,430 F
- 188% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 7.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $7.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $7.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,183,381.
What The Data Says
-
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $7.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.9%
- Top 26%
- Patents
- 160
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 417
- Downstream influence
Why Savannah College of Art and Design Matters
Savannah College of Art and Design is a private university in Savannah, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an unusually high rate of inventors and patents and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 15,243
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Communications, Business & Marketing, Engineering
Why students choose Savannah College of Art and Design
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1030–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $49,430 a year after grants and scholarships — 188% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,954 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $25,148 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
About 15,243 students attend Savannah College of Art and Design, making it a vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration. The acceptance rate stands at 83%, which opens the door for many aspiring artists and designers. This inclusivity fosters a diverse learning environment, allowing students to connect with peers from various backgrounds.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific outcomes for graduates are not reported, but the school’s graduation rate is 70%. This suggests a solid commitment to student success, with many students completing their degrees and entering the workforce. The earnings for graduates ten years after enrollment average $45,954, reflecting a meaningful return on investment for their education.
The net price for attending SCAD is $49,430, with a median debt of $25,148 for borrowers. Students who thrive here are often those who are passionate about art and design, willing to engage fully in a creative community. With a focus on visual and performing arts, communications, and business, graduates are well-prepared for careers in dynamic fields.
Rankings
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
- #30 Best Bachelor's Programs in Georgia
- #33 Best Colleges in Georgia
- #34 Best Master's Programs in Georgia
- #38 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
- #47 Best Business Colleges in Georgia
- #47 Best Online Business Programs in Georgia
- #49 Colleges With the Highest Inventor Rate
Can I Get In?
How selective Savannah College of Art and Design is — and how your numbers stack up.
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Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Savannah College of Art and Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Savannah College of Art and Design, located in Savannah, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,173. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1173
- SAT Range
- 1030–1270
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 90%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,950
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 14,387
- Admitted
- 11,759
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Savannah College of Art and Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Savannah College of Art and Design is $41,630, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $49,430. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $44,858 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,148 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,630
- Out-of-State
- $41,630
- Avg Net Price
- $49,430
- Median Debt
- $25,148
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $44,858
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $45,198
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $48,668
- Family Income $110K+
- $52,147
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Savannah College of Art and Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of $45,954, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,110
- 8 Years
- $42,062
- 10 Years
- $45,954
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.55x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,006)
- 58%
- 100% (1,006)
- 58%
- 100% (1,006)
- 58%
- 100% (1,006)
- 58%
How Savannah Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Savannah College of Art and Design Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Savannah College of Art and Design delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $49,430/year ($197,720 total). Graduates earn $45,954 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,381,101 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,183,381 (7.0× your investment). The median debt is $25,148, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $197,720
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,381,101
- Net Return
- $1,183,381
- ROI Multiple
- 7.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $49,430
- Median Debt
- $25,148
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Savannah College of Art and Design Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Savannah College of Art and Design is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $114,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,900
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Savannah College of Art and Design produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 160 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.94%
- Top 26% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 160
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 417
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 1.58%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-40,118,132
Top Programs
The fields Savannah College of Art and Design awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Visual & Performing Arts 45%
- Communications 12%
- Business & Marketing 4%
- Engineering 3%
- English & Literature 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Savannah College of Art and Design's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Savannah College of Art and Design? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Savannah College of Art and Design, located in Savannah, Georgia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,173. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Savannah College of Art and Design? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Savannah College of Art and Design is $41,630, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $49,430. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $44,858 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,148 in federal student loans.
Is Savannah College of Art and Design Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of $45,954, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Savannah College of Art and Design Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Savannah College of Art and Design is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $114,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Savannah College of Art and Design? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Savannah College of Art and Design. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Savannah College of Art and Design.
- Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green, OH · Close peer63% grad $47,896 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kent State University at KentKent, OH · Close peer65% grad $45,388 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · Close peer71% grad $57,262 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT · Close peer57% grad $53,263 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · Close peer57% grad $48,160 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Savannah College of Art and Design? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Savannah College of Art and Design. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note