SCAD vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than SCAD based on total student enrollment (26,940 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); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

SCAD vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or ECU? 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 East Carolina University than SCAD ($13,755 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 36.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($11,541 vs. $18,123).
• East Carolina University is 481.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $2,409 more per year; $2,909.00 vs. $500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 481.8% higher at ECU than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $2,409 more per year; $2,909.00 vs. $500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at East Carolina University (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 31.8% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($12,884 vs. $9,776).

SCAD vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 10 points higher than at SCAD (1150).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than SCAD (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 17.1% at ECU.

SCAD vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and ECU? 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 East Carolina University's (59%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.