SCAD vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 980 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

SCAD vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or SWU? 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 Southern Wesleyan University than SCAD ($20,134 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 44.1% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($10,126 vs. $18,123).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 300% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $1,500 more per year; $2,000.00 vs. $500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 300% higher at SWU than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $1,500 more per year; $2,000.00 vs. $500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at Savannah College of Art and Design (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 51.3% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($19,498 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. SWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is 20 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SCAD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SWU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SCAD (3.56).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than SCAD (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 33.4% at SWU.

SCAD vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and SWU? 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 Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and SCAD graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and SCAD graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More SCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.