SCAD Savannah: A Deep Dive into Student Demographics and Educational Excellence
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) stands as a prominent private art school with multiple locations, including Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and Lacoste, France. Legally incorporated on September 29, 1978, by Richard G. Rowan, Paula S. Wallace, May L. Poetter, and Paul E. Poetter, SCAD first opened its doors in September 1979. The institution has grown significantly since its inception and is recognized for its educational and professional excellence by numerous ranking organizations.
Historical Overview and Expansion
Initially, SCAD offered eight majors: ceramics, graphic design, historic preservation, textile design, interior design, painting, photography, and printmaking. The first graduate received a degree in May 1981, with the first graduating class following the next year. By 1982, enrollment exceeded 500 students, growing to 1,000 in 1986 and 2,000 in 1989.
In 2002, SCAD expanded its global presence by opening a study abroad location in Lacoste, France, providing programming for various academic departments. By 2005, the university established a location in Midtown Atlanta, merging with the Atlanta College of Art in 2006. However, in June 2020, SCAD discontinued studies at its Hong Kong location, citing concerns about student safety and academic quality.
Throughout its history, SCAD has been committed to preserving Savannah's architectural heritage, restoring buildings for use as college facilities. This dedication has earned recognition from organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Campus and Facilities
The college campus in Savannah includes 67 buildings throughout the grid-and-park system of downtown. SCAD Atlanta, located in Midtown, features classroom and exhibition space, computer labs, a library, photography darkrooms, printmaking and sculpture studios, a dining hall, fitness center, swimming pool, and residence hall.
Read also: SCAD Course Syllabi
The SCAD Lacoste campus is composed of 15th- and 16th-century structures, including an art gallery, guest houses, a computer lab, and a printmaking lab.
SCAD operates three libraries: Jen Library in Savannah, ACA Library in Atlanta, and Lacoste Library in Lacoste, France. The Jen Library, the largest, houses approximately 42,000 books, 11,000 bound volumes of periodicals, and 1,600 videotapes in an 85,000-square-foot building that formerly served as a Maas Brothers department store.
In April 2021, SCAD announced plans to expand its film and digital media studio, aiming to create the largest college movie studio in the country.
Student Demographics
In Fall 2023, SCAD enrolled over 17,000 students, comprising 14,657 undergraduates and 2,918 postgraduates, from all 50 states and more than 110 countries. This diverse student body contributes to a rich and dynamic learning environment.
Enrollment Statistics
The full-time enrollment at Savannah College of Art and Design is 14,922 students, while the part-time enrollment is 2,653. This indicates that 84.9% of students are enrolled full-time.
Read also: Tuition at SCAD
Race and Ethnicity
The enrolled student population at SCAD is diverse, with the following breakdown:
- 47.6% White
- 11.3% Black or African American
- 6.49% Hispanic or Latino
- 5.89% Asian
- 0.927% Two or More Races
- 0.597% American Indian or Alaska Native
- 0.182% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
Among full-time undergraduate students, the most common demographic is White Female (37.8%), followed by White Male (14.9%) and Black or African American Female (7.53%). In full-time Graduate programs, the most common demographic is White Female (15%), followed by White Male (6.68%) and Black or African American Female (4.27%).
Geographic Diversity
SCAD ranks highly in geographic diversity, with 82% of students coming from out of state and 12.7% from out of the country. The undergraduate student body represents 46 states (including Washington D.C.).
Age Diversity
SCAD attracts students of all ages, with a good balance of traditional and non-traditional college students.
Academic Programs and Accreditation
SCAD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees. The university confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Urban Design degrees, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.
Read also: Fall Semester Start at SCAD
The professional M.Arch. degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The Master of Arts in Teaching degrees are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. SCAD is also licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
SCAD offers 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across art, business, design, and STEM disciplines, allowing students to customize their education to meet their unique goals.
Rankings and Recognition
SCAD is consistently recognized for its excellence in education and design. In 2025, the university was ranked the No. 1 design university in the Americas and Europe by the Red Dot Design Award Rankings and was among the top five universities globally. The ranking recognizes excellence in teaching and exceptional performance in design, with top-ranked disciplines including industrial design, fashion design, user experience design, fibers, accessory design, furniture design, and interactive design and game development.
Student Life and Activities
SCAD provides a vibrant student life with numerous opportunities for engagement and personal growth.
Athletics
The athletic teams of the SCAD Savannah campus are called the Bees. SCAD Savannah competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports, including men's, women's, and co-ed sports. The athletic teams of the SCAD Atlanta campus are also called the Bees.
Events and Festivals
The college holds numerous lectures, performances, and film screenings at the Trustees Theater and the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. These theaters are also used annually for the Savannah Film Festival. SCAD hosts the Sidewalk Arts Festival in downtown Forsyth Park each April and the Sand Arts Festival on Tybee Island every spring.
Student Support
SCAD offers various resources to support student wellness, including the "Bee Well" initiative, 24/7 in-person and on-call counselors, mindfulness spaces and workshops, and social events sponsored by SCADhome, student experience, and student involvement.
SCAD SERVE
Students can participate in SCAD SERVE, the university's service initiative, which connects the SCAD community with local leaders in Atlanta and Savannah to improve the quality of life for neighbors in need.
Controversies and Criticisms
SCAD has faced controversies, including backlash for naming an academic hall after Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Despite petitions from students and alumni, SCAD has refused to rename the building.
Additionally, SCAD has been censured by the American Association of University Professors for issues surrounding academic freedom, tenure, and the dismissal of faculty members.
Economic Impact
SCAD has a significant economic impact on Savannah and Atlanta. In a report published by SCAD in 2018, the school claimed to have generated over $3 billion for the city and attracted 14.5 million visitors. A similar report in 2020 claimed that the school’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses brought in $766.2 million in annual economic impact for the state.
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