Savannah College of Art and Design vs Savannah State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Savannah State University comes closer — median earnings $37,981 against a $32,688 total, vs $45,954 at Savannah College of Art and Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,430 | $8,172 |
| Total net cost | $197,720 | $32,688 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,954 | $37,981 |
| Median debt | $25,148 | $28,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$245,840 | -$240,268 |
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 Savannah State University?
Savannah State University, at $8,172 a year after aid versus $49,430 — a gap of $41,258 a year, or $165,032 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 Savannah State University graduates earn more?
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates report a median $45,954 ten years after entry, $7,973 more than the $37,981 at Savannah 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 Savannah State University?
Savannah College of Art and Design: its completers carry a median $25,148 in federal loans versus $28,000 at Savannah State University, a difference of $2,852. 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 28% at Savannah 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.