Samford University vs. SCAD

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Samford University based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 6,097 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samford University is located in Birmingham, AL (Large Suburban setting); Savannah College of Art and Design is in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Samford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Samford University 14:1; Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1.

Samford University vs. SCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University 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 Samford University than SCAD ($34,926 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 28% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($13,056 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Samford University (about $1,480 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at SCAD than at Samford University (about $1,480 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $40,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Samford University than at Savannah College of Art and Design (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Samford University students is 74.9% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($22,530 vs. $12,884).

Samford University vs. SCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University 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 Samford University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Samford University (1160) is 10 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming Samford University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Samford University 1070/1250; Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Samford University 22/28; Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Samford University - Test optional; SCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Samford University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Samford University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Samford University (82.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.9% at Samford University vs. 26.4% at SCAD.

Samford University vs. SCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samford University 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.

• Samford University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Savannah College of Art and Design's (64%).
• Graduates from Samford University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Samford University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Samford University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.