Auburn vs. SCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 18,550 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Savannah College of Art and Design is in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1.

Auburn vs. SCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or SCAD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Auburn University than SCAD ($25,242 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 8.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($16,626 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 223% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $28,740 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at SCAD than at Auburn University (about $6,708 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Auburn University (98% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($12,884 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. SCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or SCAD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCAD and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 180 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Auburn University 1260/1390; Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Auburn University 26/31; Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; SCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Auburn students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 26.4% at SCAD.

Auburn vs. SCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and SCAD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Savannah College of Art and Design's (64%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.