About Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD transforms creative dreamers into working artists across multiple campuses and online programs. The university enrolls 14,423 students in Savannah's historic arts district, where cobblestone streets meet modern studios. Alumni include TV mogul Ryan Seacrest and actor John Krasinski, proving the school's pipeline to entertainment industry success. SCAD accepts 82% of applicants with an average SAT of 1170, making it accessible for serious art students ready to commit to intensive creative training.
The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $45,450 after aid, with total costs reaching $60,113 annually. Graduates earn a median of $45,954 ten years out, carrying typical debt of $25,148 with monthly payments around $267. Only 19% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting SCAD primarily serves middle and upper-income families. The quarter system accelerates degree completion, with 71% finishing in four years.
Women make up 70% of the student body, creating a collaborative creative environment. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than typical art schools, but SCAD's industry connections and 90% employment rate demonstrate strong career outcomes. The Bees compete in 20 varsity sports, unusual for an art school and adding unexpected campus energy.
The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $45,450 after aid, with total costs reaching $60,113 annually. Graduates earn a median of $45,954 ten years out, carrying typical debt of $25,148 with monthly payments around $267. Only 19% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting SCAD primarily serves middle and upper-income families. The quarter system accelerates degree completion, with 71% finishing in four years.
Women make up 70% of the student body, creating a collaborative creative environment. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than typical art schools, but SCAD's industry connections and 90% employment rate demonstrate strong career outcomes. The Bees compete in 20 varsity sports, unusual for an art school and adding unexpected campus energy.
Academics & Faculty
SCAD operates as a specialized art and design university where creativity drives every academic decision. The school built its reputation around professional programs in animation, fashion design, graphic design, and film production that mirror real industry standards. Students work directly with faculty in a 20:1 ratio that allows for intensive critiques and personalized guidance on portfolio development. The quarter system accelerates learning with 71.48% of students graduating in four years despite the demanding creative coursework. SCAD's programs emphasize hands-on experience through state-of-the-art studios and equipment that prepare students for competitive creative industries. The curriculum balances artistic vision with technical skills that employers actually need.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88.1%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 71.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 70.5%
- Retention Rate
- 86.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,954
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $75,518 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Master | $56,544 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Master | $53,894 |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Master | $46,087 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $44,858 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor | $44,817 |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation. | Master | $44,468 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor | $39,369 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $38,721 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
Campus Life
Savannah's historic squares and Spanish moss create one of America's most beautiful college settings. The campus spreads across the city's Victorian District, where 48% of students can live in converted mansions and modern residence halls with a total housing capacity of 7,000. Students bike between classes in restored 19th-century buildings and modern studios. The mild coastal climate means flip-flops work most of the year, though you'll want a light jacket for winter months that rarely dip below 40 degrees.
With 70% women and a creative focus, the social scene revolves around gallery openings, film screenings, and fashion shows rather than traditional college parties. Students showcase work at the annual SCAD Style fashion show and compete in the 48 Hour Film Project. The quarter system with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio keeps the pace intense. Weekends often mean exploring Savannah's River Street, attending First Friday art walks, or working on portfolio pieces in 24-hour studio spaces. The creative energy never stops in a city where art students outnumber locals in many neighborhoods.
With 70% women and a creative focus, the social scene revolves around gallery openings, film screenings, and fashion shows rather than traditional college parties. Students showcase work at the annual SCAD Style fashion show and compete in the 48 Hour Film Project. The quarter system with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio keeps the pace intense. Weekends often mean exploring Savannah's River Street, attending First Friday art walks, or working on portfolio pieces in 24-hour studio spaces. The creative energy never stops in a city where art students outnumber locals in many neighborhoods.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 7,000 beds
- Calendar System
- Quarter
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1978
Campus Safety (2023)
59 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Burglary | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 40°–61°F
- July Avg
- 73°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 48.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
SCAD draws creative students from across the country, with 85% coming from out-of-state to study art and design in historic Savannah. Women make up about 70% of the student body, reflecting the strong pull of programs like fashion design, interior design, and illustration. The school attracts middle and upper-middle-class families, with fewer than one in five students receiving Pell Grants. Students come seeking hands-on training in competitive creative fields, from animation to film production, in a campus that doubles as a living laboratory.
- Men
- 29.7%
- Women
- 70.3%
- White
- 52.4%
- Black
- 12.0%
- Hispanic
- 7.1%
- Asian
- 6.3%
- In-State Students
- 15.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 18.5%
Location
Savannah College of Art and Design sits in historic Savannah, Georgia, about 250 miles southeast of Atlanta. The coastal city blends Southern charm with artistic energy, featuring cobblestone streets and Spanish moss-draped squares. SCAD has transformed much of downtown Savannah into its campus, with students comprising a significant portion of the city's roughly 150,000 residents. The school operates in a true college town atmosphere where art students display work in converted historic buildings. Savannah's proximity to beaches and mild climate attract the 85% of students who come from out of state. Students considering colleges in Georgia may also compare Savannah College of Art and Design with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Savannah, Georgia 31402-3146
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,954
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $48,615
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $32,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 55.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $267/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,148
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Savannah College of Art and Design?
SCAD accepts 81.73% of applicants, making it relatively accessible for an art school. The middle 50% of students score between 1060-1280 on the SAT, with an average of 1170.
How much does Savannah College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $45,450 annually, with total attendance costs reaching $60,113. Only 18.54% of students receive federal Pell Grants, indicating the student body skews toward higher-income families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Savannah College of Art and Design?
SCAD maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its 14,423 students. The school operates on a quarter system, allowing students to complete projects more frequently and build extensive portfolios.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design?
Graduates achieve a 90% employment rate with median earnings of $45,954 ten years after graduation. The school's strong industry connections in fashion, film, and animation help explain why 71.48% of students graduate within four years.
Where do most students at Savannah College of Art and Design come from?
Only 15.13% of students are from Georgia, making SCAD a national draw for aspiring artists. The student body is 70.31% female, reflecting the gender distribution typical of art and design programs.
Does Savannah College of Art and Design have notable alumni in entertainment?
SCAD has produced high-profile graduates including TV host Ryan Seacrest and actor John Krasinski. The school's film and television programs benefit from industry partnerships, with graduates working at major studios and production companies.
