Understanding SCAD Tuition and Costs
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a popular option for art education, but it's essential to understand the full scope of tuition and associated costs. This article provides a detailed breakdown of SCAD's tuition, fees, financial aid options, and other expenses to help prospective students make informed decisions.
Direct Costs: Tuition, Room and Board
The annual tuition to attend Savannah College of Art and Design is $40,095. It's important to note that the cost is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. In addition to tuition, students should also budget for room and board fees, which amount to an additional $17,493 if living on-campus. On campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $17,493 per academic year.
Additional Living Expenses
If choosing to live on-campus, students should budget for $4,224 in additional living expenses. The cost of attendance is an estimate of the types of expenses you can anticipate annually. Cost of attendance includes tuition but also considers estimated living and educational expenses that you may need to fund. The cost of attendance does not represent what a student will actually pay to the university.
Net Price vs. Sticker Price
The average reported annual net price for Savannah College of Art and Design for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $46,524 in 2019/2020. The net price provides a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending Savannah College of Art and Design, once common grants and scholarships have been taken into account. It's important to note that your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets and individual financial need.
Financial Aid Availability
Financial aid is only available to those who qualify. 98% of full-time undergrad Savannah College of Art and Design received financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships from the institution or from Federal, State or local government agencies. This aid averaged $13,243 per student during the 2019/2020 school year. Grant and scholarship aid does not need to be paid back.
Read also: SCAD Course Syllabi
Pell Grants
The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $5,220. To apply for a Pell Grant to attend Savannah College of Art and Design, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Student Loan Options
To gauge a more realistic picture of what it really could cost you out of pocket to go to Savannah College of Art and Design, we've modeled a ten year student loan with an original principal value of $186,096. The loan balance of $186,096 is a four year multiple of the $46,524 average net price. This is a estimate of what you could owe upon graduation if you were to qualify for average financial aid and what a degree really may cost. Should you not qualify for financial aid, you may owe significantly more when you graduate. Based on these assumptions, a monthly repayment of $2,116 could be required to pay off your student loan.
Please note that financial aid is not guaranteed and is only available for qualifying students. Federal Student Loans are not grants and must be repaid with interest. In order to afford student loan payments and still meet all your other costs of living, it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation.
Affording SCAD: Key Considerations
If you're considering attending Savannah College of Art and Design, should consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary. a $2,115.92 monthly payment in the example $186,096.00 loan modeled above. This assumes a repayment over 10 years. You can change the terms of this example loan using the student loan calculator below. View statistics about Savannah College of Art and Design student loan debt and graduate salaries under student outcomes.
Tuition Increase
The estimation assumes a 1.9% annual increase over the next 4 years which has been the recent trend for this school. Estimated cost for a class at Savannah College of Art and Design based on published credit hour prices. Note that not all schools allow single class enrollment. Modify the loan assumptions to fit your financial situation and likely tuition price.
Read also: Academics at SCAD Savannah
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
The cost of attendance is an estimate of the types of expenses you can anticipate annually. Cost of attendance includes tuition but also considers estimated living and educational expenses that you may need to fund. The cost of attendance does not represent what a student will actually pay to the university. Adjustments to a student’s cost of attendance allowances may be considered by the financial aid office for certain additional costs, such as child or dependent care, disability-related expenses, and the one-time purchase of a computer.
Estimated Costs
The estimated costs of attendance shown below are based on three quarters of attendance and 15 credit hours per quarter.
- Estimated cost for SCAD housing and meal plan. Actual costs may vary.
- Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses.
- Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class.
- Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs.
- Estimated cost for off-campus housing and food.
- Estimated cost for living at home while attending SCAD.
The books, course materials, equipment, miscellaneous personal expenses, and transportation budget components are not paid directly to SCAD; they are components that federal regulations require SCAD to include in determining financial aid eligibility. Tuition is a direct cost for all students. Food and housing fees are direct costs for students living in residence halls.
SCAD Compared to Other Art Schools
SCAD is known for being relatively expensive when compared to other art schools. For the 2023-2024 academic year, SCAD's tuition is around $40,095 per year, not including room and board, which can range from $8,000 to $15,000 per year. Additionally, you'll need to account for fees, books, supplies, and transportation. The total cost of attendance therefore can reach up to around $60,000 or more per year.
In contrast, some public art schools can be more affordable, especially for in-state students. For example, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has an in-state tuition of about $20,330 per year, while the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for in-state students can range from $15,154 for residents to $49,354 for non-residents.
Read also: Fall Semester Start at SCAD
However, I advise you not to dismiss SCAD completely based on its sticker price. Many students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, work study, or loans, which can significantly reduce the cost of attending the school. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile to maximize your eligibility for financial aid.
You can also use SCAD's net price calculator to get a better estimate of your personalized cost after accounting for financial aid.
Additional Fees and Considerations
The following page reflects direct costs students may incur during the academic year; however, students should expect additional indirect costs not billed by SCAD.
Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable Fees
Nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Meal Plans
Annual meal plan costs are for fall, winter, and spring quarters and assume no changes to the selected plan. Meal plans may be used in Atlanta and Savannah dining locations.
Study Abroad Programs
All students commencing a study abroad program will automatically be enrolled in the SCAD student insurance plan. Cost for this coverage will be added to your bill each quarter. Note that this policy is not meant to be your primary insurance; it is study abroad insurance only. Participants are responsible for tuition, program fees, travel expenses, and all personal expenses, including meals, during weekend excursions. Program aspects are subject to change without notice. Travel scholarships in varying amounts are awarded to qualified students who have been accepted to participate in SCAD study abroad programs. Students may apply for financial aid toward SCAD Lacoste.
International Students
SCAD requires all international students at SCAD to maintain active health insurance throughout the academic year. F-1 visa holders are automatically enrolled in the Student Advantage Health Insurance Plan. Students meeting certain requirements may be exempt. Estimated rate provided for planning purposes. Actual rate goes into effect beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.
tags: #SCAD #tuition #in-state #costs
