SCAD vs. Lees-McRae College

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Lees-McRae College based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Lees McRae College is in Banner Elk, NC (Distant Rural setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lees McRae College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Lees McRae College 11:1.

SCAD vs. Lees-McRae College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or Lees-McRae College? 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 Lees McRae College than SCAD ($29,833 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lees McRae College are 16.1% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($15,200 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 25.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lees-McRae College (about $8,380 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at SCAD than at Lees McRae College (about $8,380 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $33,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Lees McRae College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lees McRae College students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($19,774 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. Lees-McRae College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCAD or Lees-McRae College? 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 Lees-McRae College and SCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is 10 points higher than at Lees-McRae College (1140).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Lees-McRae College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Lees McRae College 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Lees McRae College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; Lees-McRae College - Test-free.
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Lees-McRae College (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 13.9% at Lees-McRae College.

SCAD vs. Lees-McRae College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and Lees-McRae College? 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 Lees McRae College's (24%).
• Graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Lees-McRae College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lees McRae College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lees-McRae College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Lees-McRae College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.