Community and economic impacts of SCAD
SCAD is committed to continuously enhancing the communities where we operate. For more than 45 creative years, SCAD has shaped the economy, culture, built environment, and reputation of Georgia. The university’s economic impact reflects steady growth in enrollment and associated increases in visitors and new residents to the surrounding areas. SCAD claims prestigious accolades from American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and maintains a presence that fosters safer, more prosperous communities.
Economic impact
Georgia employment impact
Government Revenue
SCAD expenditures
Visitor impact
Charitable activity
Security services
Direct impact
The economic impact study is a holistic measure of the university's effect on the local economy. To provide a full accounting of this economic presence, the study considers direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts. Direct economic impact is the immediate result of university spending, including expenditures for payroll and suppliers. It reflects the benefit to the community generated by the university's considerable operating expenses across a broad range of industries.
Indirect impact
Indirect economic impact measures additional industry-to-industry spending resulting from the university's direct impact. This includes expenditures from suppliers who hire employees and purchase goods and services to fulfill demands created by the university. Given the complexity of operating a large university and supporting the thousands of students, faculty, and staff who live, work, and study at SCAD, many local businesses and organizations benefit from their interactions with the university community.
Induced impact
Induced economic impact measures local spending on goods and services by people working to satisfy the direct and indirect effects created by the university. This includes local employment generated by the university's economic impact, from city services to workers at local businesses. University spending has far-reaching impact in the local community that extends well beyond its immediate interactions.
Savannah
SCAD first made a home in Savannah more than 45 years ago and has worked energetically to elevate the renown of this historic city. The university has pioneered public-facing safety and security initiatives and established a strong legacy of community service through SCAD SERVE and other university programs — all while providing students an unparalleled educational experience, epitomized by the recent opening of the first phase of the Savannah Film Studios backlot, part of the largest university film studio complex in the nation. In addition to the thousands of students, faculty, and staff living and working at SCAD Savannah, each year the university attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the SCAD Museum of Art and university galleries, SCAD Days, and SCAD signature events like the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, SCAD deFINE Art, and SCADstyle.
Savannah economic impact
Savannah employment
Local government revenue
Atlanta
SCAD opened its Atlanta campus in 2005, amplifying the educational and professional opportunities in this major U.S. market. The Fall 2023 opening of SCAD Atlanta's new FORTY FIVE residence hall complex and SCADshow theater helps position the university at the center of Atlanta’s growing design, fashion, and entertainment industries, complementing SCAD Atlanta's existing career-focused and cultural features like SCADFILM, SCAD TVfest, and the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film.
Atlanta economic impact
Atlanta employment
Local government revenue
Alumni
Across creative professions and other industries, SCAD alumni are in high demand. According to a recent study of Spring 2022 SCAD graduates, 99% were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. Approximately 40% of SCAD graduates remain in Georgia to work after completing their degree, launching careers with Fortune 500 companies, increasing the state's earning potential, and establishing their own businesses. SCAD’s thriving alumni engender development in Georgia and make their homes in economically strengthened local communities.
Worldwide alumni network
Georgia alumni network
Graduate earning power
