Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Savannah, Georgia
83.7% Acceptance Rate
Savannah College of Art and Design — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.7%Acceptance Rate
3.56Avg GPA
1178Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$59,670Annual Cost
$45,954Grad Salary
18.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.7%
Avg GPA
3.56
Avg SAT
1178
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1280
ACT Middle 50%
21–28
Need-Based Aid
18.5% receive Pell
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a premier private university specializing in art and design. With a focus on preparing students for professional creative careers, the university offers a wide range of degree programs from animation and fashion to immersive reality supported by industry-aligned curricula, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Savannah College of Art and Design Acceptance Rate
Admission at Savannah College of Art and Design is inclusive by design. 83.7% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.11
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Savannah College of Art and Design Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Savannah College of Art and Design follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SCAD reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SCAD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SCAD is 3.56. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.26 and 3.56? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.76–3.96.SCAD GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.16 – 3.35
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.15
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is approximately 83% (2024?25 IPEDS data); rolling admissions with no deadline - students may enroll fall, winter, spring, or summer quarters.
- Portfolio and auditions are NOT required for undergraduate admission, but a SlideRoom portfolio submission ($10 fee) is required to be considered for achievement scholarships; categories include visual art/fashion, time-based media, writing, performing arts, equestrian, and business/marketing.
- SCAD operates on a 10-week quarter system across three U.S. locations (Savannah, Atlanta, Lacoste) plus SCADnow online - students take roughly 3 studio courses per quarter, making for an intensive creative workload.
- GRADpath is an accelerated combined BA+MA pathway; a SCAD-specific option not available at most art schools, worth flagging early for students with clear graduate intentions.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SCAD
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Savannah College of Art and Design's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at SCAD. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into SCAD Without SAT or ACT?
SCAD considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Savannah College of Art and Design Average SAT Score: 1178
Admitted students at Savannah College of Art and Design average a 1178 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1178 — Less Competitive
A 1178 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1280 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Savannah College of Art and Design allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1050? A retake is worth it at SCAD. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 610 | 550 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1178 | 1050 | 1280 |
A score under 1050 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1280+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in SCAD's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) ACT Requirements
SCAD's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 21 | 28 |
Can I get into Savannah College of Art and Design with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of SCAD's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, SCAD weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SCAD
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SCAD takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand That the Portfolio Is for Money, Not Admission
SCAD admits roughly 83% of applicants without requiring a portfolio - but that same portfolio, submitted separately through SlideRoom for a $10 fee, is what unlocks achievement scholarship consideration. Students who apply and enroll without submitting one are leaving scholarship dollars on the table. Build a portfolio in one of SCAD's six categories (visual art/fashion, time-based media, writing, performing arts, equestrian, or business/marketing) and submit it alongside your r?sum?/list of achievements before your intended start term.
Enter the SCAD Challenge Competition Before You Apply
SCAD runs a competitive scholarship contest - the SCAD Challenge - open to current high school juniors and seniors. Entries are a single creative piece judged by SCAD faculty, and winners receive renewable scholarships valid upon enrollment. This is separate from the standard achievement scholarship portfolio and gives strong creative students a second path to institutional funding. Check the SlideRoom portal for the current year's category list (e.g., "SCAD Undergraduate Challenge: Photography, 2026") and submit early, since spots within categories fill.
Pick Your Entry Quarter Strategically
Because SCAD uses a four-quarter calendar (fall, winter, spring, summer) with rolling admissions and no application deadline, students aren't locked into a September start. A student who needs an extra semester to build portfolio work can enter in winter or spring without penalty - they still have full access to financial aid and scholarship review. If a student's creative output will be significantly stronger in six months, delaying the start quarter is a legitimate strategic move at SCAD in a way it isn't at semester-based schools.
Target GRADpath If the Student Has a Clear Graduate Program in Mind
SCAD's GRADpath program allows motivated undergraduates to complete a bachelor's and a master's degree in an accelerated, continuous program of study. For students who already know they want an MFA in animation or an MA in luxury and fashion management, this structure eliminates the application cycle between degrees and can reduce total time in school. Identify the intended graduate program early, ask the admissions adviser whether GRADpath is available for that pairing, and factor the combined timeline into financial aid planning.
Expert Insight:
Students frequently apply to SCAD, receive an acceptance within 2?4 weeks, and then enroll without submitting any supplementary materials - unaware that academic scholarships are automatic but achievement scholarships require a separate SlideRoom portfolio and r?sum? submission. Once enrolled, that scholarship window is effectively closed. The failure pattern is treating SCAD's acceptance as a complete transaction when it's actually only the first step of a two-part financial aid process.
SCAD Profile
Full Name
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
City
Savannah
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
31402-3146
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a SCAD Degree Worth It?
Whether SCAD is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $71,600, and graduates see a 3.02% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from SCAD Cost?
Listed tuition runs $59,670/year at SCAD. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At SCAD, 18.5% receive a Pell Grant and 34.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SCAD on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a SCAD Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, SCAD graduates report a median income of $45,954, about 13% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Savannah College of Art and Design. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Savannah College of Art and Design. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Savannah College of Art and Design. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at SCAD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SCAD Admissions
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates earn a lower median salary of $45,954/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Savannah College of Art and Design runs high, at roughly $59,670+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
18.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Savannah College of Art and Design skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Savannah College of Art and Design's acceptance rate is 83.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Savannah College of Art and Design students is 3.56, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.26 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Savannah College of Art and Design. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.16 or below makes admission tougher at Savannah College of Art and Design, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Savannah College of Art and Design weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1178, and within the 1050–1280 range, keeps you competitive.
Savannah College of Art and Design follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Savannah College of Art and Design charges an application fee of 100; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.