USF Main Campus vs. SCAD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Florida in Tampa, 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 South Florida is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 18,550 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Savannah College of Art and Design is in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting).
• University of South 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 South Florida 22:1; Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1.

USF Main Campus vs. SCAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus 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 South Florida than SCAD ($11,579 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 20.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($14,440 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 549.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $35,220 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.3% higher at SCAD than at University of South Florida (about $24,306 more per year; $41,630.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at University of South Florida (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 21% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($12,884 vs. $10,652).

USF Main Campus vs. SCAD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 80 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming USF Main Campus 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: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; SCAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 26.4% at SCAD.

USF Main Campus vs. SCAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from University of South Florida earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $7,853 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($19,147 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($197 vs. $279).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.