SCAD vs. WCU

Savannah College of Art and Design and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Savannah College of Art and Design
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 83%). Typical SAT 1180 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $50,821 at SCAD.
  • Graduation: SCAD 64% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCAD $39,800 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Savannah College of Art and Design Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
SCAD83%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
SCAD1030-1270
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $37,054 less
SCAD$50,821
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $37,000 less
SCAD$41,630
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $33,000 less
SCAD$41,630
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
SCAD +14 pts
SCAD64%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCAD +$700
SCAD$39,800
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCAD 15,956
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • SCAD 13,241
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCAD 83%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCAD 26.4%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCAD 1150
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCAD 24
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCAD 3.56
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCAD A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SCAD Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • SCAD
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • SCAD 1030-1270
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • SCAD 21-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • SCAD Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SCAD
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCAD $41,630
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCAD $41,630
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • SCAD $18,123
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • SCAD $50,821
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • SCAD $12,884
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCAD 98%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCAD 64%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCAD $39,800
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCAD 55%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCAD $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • SCAD $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCAD 21:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCAD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (74%)
    • Communications Technology (13%)
    • Architecture (5%)
    • Work and Family Studies (3%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • SCAD Savannah, GA
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • SCAD Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SCAD 18,550
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • SCAD Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCAD #780
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

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

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 11,686 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 31.8% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($12,354 vs. $18,123).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 382.4% higher at SCAD than at Western Carolina University (about $33,000 more per year; $41,630 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Savannah College of Art and Design than at Western Carolina University (98% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students is 115% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($12,884 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SCAD than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SCAD and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SCAD average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 55%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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