SCAD vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA with College of Charleston 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 CofC based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SCAD vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or CofC? 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 College of Charleston than SCAD ($21,004 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 20.9% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($14,332 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $28,652 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at SCAD than at College of Charleston (about $3,334 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at College of Charleston (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 43.4% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($12,884 vs. $8,983).

SCAD vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 80 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming CofC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 11.9% at CofC.

SCAD vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and CofC? 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.