Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Savannah College of Art and Design Worth It?
At a value score of 16/100, Savannah College of Art and Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,954 — 15% below average — while paying $49,430/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 4.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $25,148 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Savannah College of Art and Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Savannah College of Art and Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 5 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ensign College | 44 | $10,824 | $50,630 |
| #2 | Saint Leo University | 27 | $21,293 | $48,364 |
| #3 | Unity Environmental University | 22 | $19,104 | $37,852 |
| #4 | Wilmington University | 18 | $15,644 | $53,844 |
| #5 | Savannah College of Art and Design | 16 | $49,430 | $45,954 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Savannah College of Art and Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Savannah College of Art and Design
The highest-earning program at Savannah College of Art and Design is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $41,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $15,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design earns $41,800, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $15,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,974 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $49,430/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $41,800 | $41,800 | $27,000 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $36,400 | $36,400 | $27,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,600 | $25,600 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $23,500 | $23,500 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $22,000 | $22,000 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,500 | $21,500 | $26,879 |
| Graphic Communications | $20,100 | $20,100 | $26,000 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $16,800 | $16,800 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $15,000 | $15,000 | $26,974 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Savannah, GA
- Student Body
- 15,243 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $49,430
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,954
- Median Student Debt
- $25,148