SCAD vs. Elon

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 7,239 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Elon University 11:1.

SCAD vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or Elon? 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 Elon University than SCAD ($44,440 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 17.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($14,985 vs. $18,123).
• Elon University is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $5,328 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Elon than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $5,328 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Elon University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 38.7% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($17,867 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 60 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming Elon 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: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Elon students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 13.4% at Elon.

SCAD vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and Elon? 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.

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Savannah College of Art and Design's (64%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.