SCAD vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 18,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

SCAD vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or UNCW? 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 University of North Carolina Wilmington than SCAD ($18,976 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Wilmington are 21.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($14,268 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 472.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $34,353 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.4% higher at SCAD than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $17,478 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 93% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($12,884 vs. $6,674).

SCAD vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 140 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have the same average high school GPA (3.56) as students at UNCW (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 21% at UNCW.

SCAD vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and UNCW? 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).

• University of North Carolina Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Savannah College of Art and Design's (64%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.