UCF vs. SCAD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 18,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Savannah College of Art and Design is in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1.

UCF vs. SCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or SCAD? 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 Central Florida than SCAD ($13,351 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 31.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($12,452 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 553.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $35,262 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.3% higher at SCAD than at University of Central Florida (about $19,163 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at University of Central Florida (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 32.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($12,884 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. SCAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 130 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming UCF 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: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; SCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 26.4% at SCAD.

UCF vs. SCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and SCAD? 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 University of Central Florida's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $8,730 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($18,270 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($188 vs. $279).
• More UCF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.