SCAD vs. Catawba College

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Catawba College 13:1.

SCAD vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or Catawba 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 Catawba College than SCAD ($18,447 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Catawba College are 25.2% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($13,565 vs. $18,123).
• In-state tuition differs between Savannah College of Art and Design and Catawba College ($500.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between SCAD and Catawba College ($500.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at Savannah College of Art and Design (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 139.1% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($30,808 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCAD or Catawba 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 Catawba College and SCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Catawba College (1170) is 20 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Catawba College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College 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 Catawba College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 12.5% at Catawba College.

SCAD vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and Catawba 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 Catawba College's (54%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.