At $45,450/yr net price, Savannah College of Art and Design graduates earn $45,954/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,954/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $45,450 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $181,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,954/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,954/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 15.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,148 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $41,693/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $42,451/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $45,149/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $47,652/yr |
| $110,001+ | $47,565/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $75,518 | $47,833 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Master | $56,544 | $65,832 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Master | $53,894 | $76,406 |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Master | $46,087 | $56,138 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Master | $44,858 | $82,741 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor | $44,817 | $24,506 |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation. | Master | $44,468 | |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $24,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Master | $38,721 | $48,856 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
The Risk Factor
70.5% of students at Savannah College of Art and Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Savannah College of Art and Design costs about $45,450 a year, and ten years after enrolling, your median earnings sit below that single year's price tag. That gap is the core problem here. You pay a private-college price for an art-and-design education, then land in jobs that pay less than what one year cost you.
Look at the program earnings and the picture stays rough. The best-paying bachelor's track, radio, television, and digital communication, still lands under $45,000 a year. Architecture-related degrees come in below that. Fine and studio arts, one of SCAD's signature fields, pays around $27,000 while carrying the highest debt of any program listed at $27,000. You would owe more than you earn in a year, in a field where entry pay is thin no matter where you train.
The debt itself is moderate at around $25,000, and the 70.5% graduation rate plus 86.83% retention mean you are likely to finish. So the risk here is not dropping out with loans and no degree. The risk is finishing, holding the debt, and earning too little to clear it comfortably in creative-industry jobs.
The net price barely moves by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $41,000 a year, and higher-income families pay only a few thousand more. There is no steep discount for low-income students here, so the full cost lands on you regardless of what your family makes.
SCAD makes financial sense if you are committed to a design or media career, can limit borrowing, and have family support covering the price. If you need a degree to reliably out-earn its cost, the numbers do not work, and you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah College of Art and Design worth the high tuition costs?
SCAD's $45,450 annual net price is steep compared to typical graduate earnings of $45,954 after 10 years. Only computer technology and media programs show strong salary potential, while most design majors earn less than the cost of attendance.
Which programs at Savannah College of Art and Design have the best ROI?
Computer/Information Technology Administration leads with $75,518 median earnings, followed by Radio/TV/Digital Communication at $56,544. Traditional art and design programs typically earn $44,000-46,000, making loan repayment challenging.
How much student debt do Savannah College of Art and Design graduates typically have?
SCAD graduates carry a median debt of $25,148, which is manageable for tech program graduates but represents a significant burden for art majors earning in the mid-40s. Many students borrow much more than the median amount.
Does Savannah College of Art and Design provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $45,450 after aid, SCAD remains expensive for most families. The 70.5% graduation rate means nearly 30% of students don't complete their degrees, often while carrying debt.