SCAD vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SCAD vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than SCAD ($13,767 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 31.8% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($12,354 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 799.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $37,000 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 382.4% higher at SCAD than at Western Carolina University (about $33,000 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 115% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,884 vs. $5,993).

SCAD vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WCU (3.44).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than WCU (81.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 12.7% at WCU.

SCAD vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of about $700 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.