SCAD vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Savannah College of Art and Design is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (18,550 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, GA (Midsize City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Savannah College of Art and Design 21:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

SCAD vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCAD or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University than SCAD ($28,511 vs. $50,821).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 10.8% lower than at Savannah College of Art and Design ($16,166 vs. $18,123).
• Wilkes University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCAD (about $1,866 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Wilkes than at Savannah College of Art and Design (about $1,866 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $41,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Savannah College of Art and Design (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 119.8% larger than aid received by Savannah College of Art and Design students ($28,324 vs. $12,884).

SCAD vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Savannah College of Art and Design (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes 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; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Savannah College of Art and Design 21/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCAD - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SCAD students have the same average high school GPA (3.56) as students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than SCAD (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at SCAD vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

SCAD vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCAD and Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than SCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SCAD graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCAD graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCAD students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.