SCAD vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

SCAD vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia University than SCAD ($30,037 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 5.2% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($17,180 vs. $18,123).
• Arcadia University is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $7,980 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Arcadia than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $7,980 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Savannah College of Art and Design (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 169.4% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($34,705 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCAD or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and SCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 20 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

SCAD vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and Arcadia? 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).

• Savannah College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arcadia University and SCAD graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Arcadia University and SCAD graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.