What Savannah College of Art and Design Is and Who It Serves

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a private art and design school located in Savannah, Georgia, with additional campuses in Atlanta, Lacoste (France), Hong Kong, and online. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across more than 100 programs in fields like graphic design, animation, film, architecture, fashion, illustration, and fine art.

SCAD enrolls roughly 17,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The school operates on a quarter system rather than semesters, meaning the academic year divides into four 10-week terms instead of two longer ones. This structure lets students take more courses per year and change direction faster if they want to switch majors.

The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which means its degrees are recognized by employers and other institutions. SCAD is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), a specialized accreditor for art programs.

Key Takeaways

  • SCAD offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in art, design, film, architecture, and related fields across five physical campuses and online.
  • The school uses a quarter system with four 10-week terms per year instead of traditional semesters, allowing students to take more courses and change direction faster.
  • Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, a completed process, transcripts, and a portfolio; test scores are optional for most applicants.
  • Tuition and fees are substantial—roughly $40,000 per year for full-time undergraduate study—and most students use federal loans, grants, or SCAD's own scholarships to pay.
  • SCAD's location in Savannah provides access to a historic city with an active arts community, galleries, and internship opportunities with local and regional studios.

how the process works and What Documents You Need

SCAD uses the Common process, a single form accepted by thousands of colleges. You create an account on commonapp.org, fill in your personal and academic information, and submit it to SCAD along with a $80 process fee (though fee waivers are available for students with financial need).

You will need to submit official high school transcripts or a GED certificate, proof of English proficiency if you are an international student, and a portfolio. The portfolio is the most important part of your process—it shows your creative work and thinking. SCAD asks for 10 to 20 pieces that demonstrate your skills and interests. You upload images, videos, or PDFs directly through the Common process portal.

Test scores (SAT or ACT) are optional for most applicants, meaning you can submit your process without them. However, some scholarship programs and international students may find that submitting scores strengthens their case. SCAD does not use test scores to deny admission, but they may affect scholarship offers.

The process important date for fall admission is typically in early August, though rolling admissions means SCAD reviews applications as they arrive and makes decisions throughout the year. Early applications often receive stronger scholarship offers. International students should explore earlier because visa processing takes additional time.

Undergraduate Programs and How They Are Structured

SCAD's undergraduate degrees span five schools: the School of Building Arts (architecture, interior design, historic preservation), the School of Design, the School of Fine Arts, the School of Liberal Arts, and the School of Motion Picture, Television and Streaming. Within each school are multiple majors and minors.

Most undergraduate programs require four years of full-time study. Because SCAD uses quarters, a full-time student takes classes during all four terms each year, meaning you complete your degree faster than at a semester-based school—roughly three calendar years instead of four. Part-time study is also an option.

All undergraduates take general education courses alongside major-specific classes. These include writing, history, science, and humanities courses. SCAD calls this the Liberal Arts component, and it typically makes up about one-quarter of your total coursework. The remaining three-quarters focus on your major and electives within your field.

Studio classes are small—typically 15 to 25 students—so you work directly with instructors. Lecture courses can be larger. Most programs include internship opportunities, either required or strongly recommended, where you work at design firms, studios, production companies, or other creative businesses.

Graduate Programs and Continuing Education Options

SCAD offers master's degrees in fields like graphic design, animation, film, architecture, fashion, and fine art. Graduate programs typically take two years of full-time study, though some can be completed in one year depending on your background and the program. Like undergraduate study, graduate work follows the quarter system.

Graduate admissions require a bachelor's degree, official transcripts, a portfolio, a statement of purpose (a short essay explaining why you want to study in that field), and letters of recommendation. Test scores are not required. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS scores.

SCAD also offers certificate programs and continuing education courses for people who want to study specific skills without pursuing a full degree. These range from a few weeks to several months and cover topics like web design, photography, and 3D modeling. Many working professionals use these programs to add new skills to their portfolios.

Tuition, Fees, and How Students Pay for SCAD

Full-time undergraduate tuition and fees at SCAD are approximately $40,000 per year. This covers instruction, access to studios and equipment, and campus facilities. Housing, meals, books, and supplies add another $15,000 to $20,000 per year depending on whether you live on campus and your personal spending. Graduate tuition is similar or slightly higher depending on the program.

Because SCAD is a private school, it does not receive state funding, so tuition is higher than at public universities. However, the school awards its own scholarships based on portfolio strength, academic record, and financial need. Merit scholarships can range from a few thousand dollars per year to full tuition coverage, though full-ride scholarships are rare.

Most SCAD students use a combination of federal student loans, grants (like the Pell Grant for low-income students), SCAD scholarships, and family contributions to pay. You explore for federal aid by completing the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). SCAD uses FAFSA information to determine how much federal aid you may receive and to award its own need-based scholarships.

SCAD also offers payment plans that let you spread tuition costs across the quarter, and it participates in federal loan programs including Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Parent PLUS Loans. International students cannot access federal U.S. loans but may be able to use private loans or SCAD's own international student financing options.

Campus Life, Location, and Resources

SCAD's main campus is in Savannah, a historic city known for its squares, Spanish moss, and active arts scene. The campus is integrated into the city rather than isolated on a separate grounds—classes and studios are spread across downtown Savannah, and students live in campus housing, off-campus apartments, and local neighborhoods.

Savannah offers internship opportunities with local galleries, museums, design studios, and production companies. The city also hosts the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art, which is free to students and features contemporary and historical work. Many students use Savannah's architecture and landscape as subject matter for their own projects.

SCAD provides studio space, computer labs, libraries, and equipment for all majors. Animation students have access to motion capture studios and rendering farms. Architecture students use digital fabrication labs. Fashion students have sewing labs and a textile collection. Film students can check out cameras and lighting equipment. These resources are included in tuition and available to all enrolled students.

The school offers career services, including portfolio reviews, resume workshops, and connections to employers. SCAD also maintains an alumni network of roughly 100,000 graduates working in creative industries worldwide, and many alumni mentor current students or hire SCAD graduates.

Online and International Study Options

SCAD Online offers degree programs and individual courses for students who cannot attend in person. You can earn a full bachelor's degree or master's degree entirely online, or take online courses to supplement in-person study. Online programs follow the same quarter system and use video conferencing, project-based learning, and digital collaboration tools.

SCAD's international campuses in Lacoste (France), Hong Kong, and Atlanta allow students to study abroad for a quarter or longer. Many undergraduate programs require or encourage a quarter abroad. These campuses offer the same academic rigor as Savannah and let you study art and design in different cultural contexts.

International students from outside the United States can study at any SCAD campus. Savannah requires an F-1 student visa, which SCAD's international student office helps you obtain. International students pay the same tuition as U.S. students but should budget for visa fees, travel, and potentially higher housing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a portfolio to explore to SCAD?

Yes, a portfolio is required for all applicants. It should include 10 to 20 pieces of your creative work—drawings, paintings, photographs, digital work, videos, or any combination that shows your skills and interests. You do not need professional-quality work; SCAD looks for evidence of your thinking and effort, not perfection.

Can I change my major after I start at SCAD?

Yes, you can change majors, though the process and cost depend on how different the new major is from your current one. Because SCAD uses quarters, you can switch directions faster than at semester-based schools. Talk to your academic advisor about the timeline and whether you will need to take additional courses.

What is the job market like for SCAD graduates?

SCAD graduates work in design studios, advertising agencies, film and television production, architecture firms, fashion houses, museums, and as freelancers. The school tracks employment outcomes, and most graduates report working in creative fields within six months of graduation. Your location, major, portfolio quality, and internship experience all affect your job prospects.

Does SCAD offer scholarships based on financial need?

Yes, SCAD awards both merit-based scholarships (based on portfolio and academics) and need-based scholarships (based on your family's financial situation). You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid. Merit scholarships are awarded automatically based on your process materials.

Is SCAD worth the cost?

That depends on your goals, financial situation, and the specific program. SCAD's tuition is high, but graduates often report strong career outcomes and the school's reputation opens doors in creative industries. Compare SCAD's cost and outcomes to other art schools and public universities with art programs to decide what makes sense for you.