SCAD vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

SCAD vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or CSU? 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 Charleston Southern University than SCAD ($21,080 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 32.7% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($12,200 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $9,110 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at SCAD than at Charleston Southern University (about $9,110 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design as at Charleston Southern University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 80.4% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($23,240 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is 100 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than SCAD (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 17.7% at CSU.

SCAD vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and CSU? 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates of Savannah College of Art and Design and CSU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,800), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University and SCAD graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Charleston Southern University and SCAD graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.