SCAD: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Savannah College of Art and Design · Savannah, Georgia · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2023-2024
Ranked #5 (tie) in Regional Universities SouthU.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2023-2024 Common Data Set published by Savannah College of Art and Design (see the source).
Is SCAD a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places SCAD against it in about a minute. No account needed.
SCAD is a private nonprofit university in Savannah, Georgia that admits about 83% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $49,430 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Design and Applied Arts, Graphic Communications and Film/Video and Photographic Arts, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
SCAD is a private institution located in Savannah, Georgia. For the most recent reporting cycle, SCAD admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 83%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1173. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $49,430 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for SCAD?
SCAD has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare SCAD with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores SCAD typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–610. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1173 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional; missing scores don't affect admission or scholarships. Under 3.0 GPA or SAT 1080/ACT 21 encouraged to add portfolio etc.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on SCAD's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does SCAD actually cost?
Published tuition is $41,630 for in-state students and $41,630 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,123 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $49,430 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $49,430 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at SCAD
The most popular undergraduate programs at SCAD, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Design and Applied Arts, Graphic Communications and Film/Video and Photographic Arts. Across all programs, SCAD confers roughly 2,327 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Design and Applied Arts program report a median income of about $43,503 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 694 | $43,503 |
| Graphic Communications | 523 | $49,365 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 330 | $44,203 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 322 | $64,724 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 172 | $33,955 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 109 | $34,897 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 99 | $57,108 |
| Engineering, General | 78 | n/a |
Is SCAD safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), SCAD disclosed 30 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 16 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Common questions parents ask about SCAD
What GPA do I need for SCAD?
SCAD has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does SCAD typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–610. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28.
How much does SCAD actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at SCAD after grants and scholarships is $49,430 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $41,630. Budget against the net figure.
Is SCAD realistic for my child?
SCAD admits 83% of applicants, so 490–610 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $49,430 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at SCAD?
SCAD accepts about 83% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is SCAD test-optional?
Yes. SCAD is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
Is SCAD a public or private school, and where is it located?
SCAD is a private nonprofit institution located in Savannah, Georgia.
What are the most popular majors at SCAD?
The largest undergraduate majors at SCAD by annual graduates are Design and Applied Arts, Graphic Communications and Film/Video and Photographic Arts. The school awards about 2,327 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is SCAD safe? What is its campus crime rate?
SCAD reported 30 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by Savannah College of Art and Design, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers