Savannah College of Art and Design vs South University-Savannah Online: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Savannah College of Art and Design comes closer — median earnings $45,954 against a $197,720 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Savannah College of Art and Design | South University-Savannah Online |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,430 | $28,049 |
| Total net cost | $197,720 | $112,196 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,954 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $25,148 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$245,840 | -$390,976 |
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 South University-Savannah Online?
South University-Savannah Online, at $28,049 a year after aid versus $49,430 — a gap of $21,381 a year, or $85,524 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 South University-Savannah Online graduates earn more?
Savannah College of Art and Design graduates report a median $45,954 ten years after entry, $11,533 more than the $34,421 at South University-Savannah Online. 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 South University-Savannah Online?
Savannah College of Art and Design: its completers carry a median $25,148 in federal loans versus $26,123 at South University-Savannah Online, a difference of $975. 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 7% at South University-Savannah Online. 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.