Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Savannah College of Art and Design

SCAD's writing program carries significant financial risk despite relatively modest debt levels. At $28,418 first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,000 less than typical Georgia writing majors and fall in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six in ten Georgia writing programs deliver better outcomes. Given that state schools like Georgia Southern and even private competitors like Oglethorpe produce substantially higher-earning graduates, SCAD's art-school premium doesn't appear justified for this particular major.

The near-stagnant earnings growth compounds the concern. Four years out, graduates average just $29,298, barely outpacing inflation. While the debt load itself isn't catastrophic at $26,000, it represents nearly a full year's starting salary—a heavy burden when earnings hover below $30,000. The relatively low debt percentile (37th nationally) offers cold comfort when income remains stubbornly flat.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but they align with a broader pattern: specialized creative institutions don't always translate to better outcomes for liberal arts majors. For a writing-focused degree, families should seriously consider whether SCAD's higher tuition delivers value over University of Georgia or Georgia State, where in-state costs would likely produce better debt-to-earnings ratios even if starting salaries were similar.