Location: Savannah, GA•In-State Tuition: $40,595•Admission Rate: 84%•Avg SAT: 1178
Median Earnings (1yr)
$83,500
75th percentile
Median Debt
$24,500
10% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.29 ManageableSample: 30 graduates

Analysis

SCAD's Human Computer Interaction bachelor's delivers an immediate payoff that's hard to ignore: $83,500 in first-year earnings, which lands at the 75th percentile nationally for this specialized program. With just $24,500 in typical debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of work—one of the more compelling financial pictures you'll find at a private art college. Being the only school in Georgia offering this degree gives SCAD a unique advantage in the state market, though nationally there are only 16 other programs to compare against.

The caveat worth noting: SCAD serves primarily out-of-state students (only 19% receive Pell grants, suggesting a wealthier student body), and this program's relatively high debt percentile indicates many students are borrowing more than peers at other HCI programs. Still, when first-year earnings can nearly triple the debt load, that calculation works. The 84% admission rate means access isn't particularly selective, but the specialized nature of HCI means your child needs genuine interest in the intersection of design and technology—this isn't a fallback major.

For families who can manage the private school sticker price or qualify for significant aid, this is one of SCAD's strongest ROI programs. The combination of strong immediate earnings and manageable debt makes it worth serious consideration, especially if your child is drawn to UX design or product development careers.

Where Savannah College of Art and Design Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human computer interaction bachelors's programs nationally

Savannah College of Art and DesignOther human computer interaction programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Savannah College of Art and Design graduates compare to all programs nationally

Savannah College of Art and Design earns $84k — 75th percentile among human computer interaction bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Human Computer Interaction bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah$40,595$83,500—$24,5000.29
California College of the ArtsSan Francisco$57,946$101,801—$27,1250.27
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook$10,560$59,722$81,573$20,5960.34
DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmond$37,400$50,265—$28,2090.56
Full Sail UniversityWinter Park$26,417$26,924$38,757$33,4711.24
National Median—$59,722—$27,1250.45

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with human computer interaction graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Occupations, All Other

All computer occupations not listed separately.

Web Administrators

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.

Document Management Specialists

Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store, retrieve, share, and destroy electronic records and documents.

Penetration Testers

Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.

Information Security Engineers

Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.

Digital Forensics Analysts

Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents. Analyze digital evidence and investigate computer security incidents to derive information in support of system and network vulnerability mitigation. Preserve and present computer-related evidence in support of criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, or law enforcement investigations.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Savannah College of Art and Design, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 30 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.