SCAD vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

SCAD vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or USC Aiken? 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 Carolina Aiken than SCAD ($12,236 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 49.3% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($9,182 vs. $18,123).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is 38.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $138 more per year; $500.00 vs. $362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at SCAD than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $138 more per year; $500.00 vs. $362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at University of South Carolina Aiken (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 44.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($12,884 vs. $8,904).

SCAD vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is 50 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming SCAD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 1030/1270; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); USC Aiken - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• SCAD has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

SCAD vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and USC Aiken? 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 Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design earn a median of about $200 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More SCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.