SCAD vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 18,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

SCAD vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or ASU? 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 Appalachian State University than SCAD ($14,978 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 29% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($12,868 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 449.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $34,051 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.1% higher at SCAD than at Appalachian State University (about $16,418 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Appalachian State University (98% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 60.8% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($12,884 vs. $8,014).

SCAD vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCAD or ASU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ASU and SCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 50 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming SCAD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at ASU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than SCAD (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 18.2% at ASU.

SCAD vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and ASU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Savannah College of Art and Design's (64%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.