Savannah College of Art and Design vs Albany State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Albany State University comes closer — median earnings $40,674 against a $47,592 total, vs $45,954 at Savannah College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Savannah College of Art and Design | Albany State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,430 | $11,898 |
| Total net cost | $197,720 | $47,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,954 | $40,674 |
| Median debt | $25,148 | $25,024 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$245,840 | -$201,312 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Savannah College of Art and Design or Albany State University?
Albany State University, at $11,898 a year after aid versus $49,430 — a gap of $37,532 a year, or $150,128 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Savannah College of Art and Design or Albany State University graduates earn more?
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates report a median $45,954 ten years after entry, $5,280 more than the $40,674 at Albany State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Savannah College of Art and Design or Albany State University?
Albany State University: its completers carry a median $25,024 in federal loans versus $25,148 at Savannah College of Art and Design, a difference of $124. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Savannah College of Art and Design, against 31% at Albany State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.