SCAD vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Comparable Facts

Compare Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA with School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than School of the Art Institute of Chicago based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 3,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); School of the Art Institute of Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 10:1.

SCAD vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 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 Savannah College of Art and Design than School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($50,821 vs. $55,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are 8.7% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($16,550 vs. $18,123).
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago is 35.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $14,790 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.5% higher at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $14,790 more per year; $56,420.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at School of the Art Institute of Chicago than at Savannah College of Art and Design (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($20,050 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCAD or School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 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 School of the Art Institute of Chicago and SCAD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is the same as at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1150).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at School of the Art Institute of Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1048/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; School of the Art Institute of Chicago 22/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Nov 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (3.51).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than School of the Art Institute of Chicago (77.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 11.8% at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

SCAD vs. School of the Art Institute of Chicago Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and School of the Art Institute of Chicago? 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 School of the Art Institute of Chicago's (60%).
• Graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of about $700 more per year than School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have a $1,287 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($25,713 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.