Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance is an estimate of the types of expenses you can anticipate annually. Cost of attendance includes tuition but also considers estimated living and educational expenses that you may need to fund. The cost of attendance does not represent what a student will actually pay to the university. Use these numbers for planning purposes only.
A student's individual cost of attendance will be provided on their financial aid offer letter and will be updated throughout the year to best reflect their actual enrollment and housing choices.
Adjustments to a student’s cost of attendance allowances may be considered by the financial aid office for certain additional costs, such as child or dependent care, disability-related expenses, and the one-time purchase of a computer. Contact the student's adviser for more information.
The cost of attendance also sets the limit of total financial aid a student may receive each quarter and year while enrolled at SCAD.
The estimated costs of attendance shown below are based on three quarters of attendance and 15 credit hours per quarter. If a student will attend fewer quarters, use one-third of each amount per quarter of attendance to calculate the cost of attendance.
Net price calculator
To estimate a student's out of pocket costs, as well as the financial aid options that may be available, try the SCAD Net Price Calculator.
Undergraduate costs
2025-26 undergraduate cost of attendance (SCAD housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,165
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$18,798
Estimated cost for SCAD housing and meal plan. Actual costs may vary. View tuition and fees.
Transportation
US$1,719
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$67,386
2024-25 undergraduate cost of attendance (SCAD housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$41,130
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$18,123
Estimated cost for SCAD housing and meal plan. Actual costs may vary. View tuition and fees.
Transportation
US$1,830
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$65,574
2025-26 undergraduate cost of attendance (off-campus housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,165
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$15,621
Estimated cost for off-campus housing and food. Actual costs may vary.
Transportation
US$1,719
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$64,209
2024-25 undergraduate cost of attendance (off-campus housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$41,130
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$14,664
Estimated cost for off-campus housing and food. Actual costs may vary.
Transportation
US$1,830
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$62,115
2025-26 undergraduate cost of attendance (living at home)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,165
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$1,698
Estimated cost for living at home while attending SCAD. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,809
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$50,376
2024-25 undergraduate cost of attendance (living at home)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$41,130
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$1,584
Estimated cost for living at home while attending SCAD. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,809
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$66
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$49,014
Graduate costs
2025-26 graduate cost of attendance (SCAD housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$43,155
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$18,798
Estimated cost for SCAD housing and meal plan. Actual costs vary. View tuition and fees.
Transportation
US$1,719
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$68,526
2024-25 graduate cost of attendance (SCAD housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,120
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$18,123
Estimated cost for SCAD housing and meal plan. Actual costs vary. View tuition and fees.
Transportation
US$1,830
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$66,714
2025-26 graduate cost of attendance (off-campus housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$43,155
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$15,621
Estimated cost for off-campus housing and food. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,719
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$65,349
2024-25 graduate cost of attendance (off-campus housing)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,120
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$14,664
Estimated cost for off-campus housing and food. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,830
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$63,255
2025-26 graduate cost of attendance (living at home)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$43,155
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$1,698
Estimated cost for living at home while attending SCAD. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,809
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,043
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,595
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$51,516
2024-25 graduate cost of attendance (living at home)
Three quarters, 45 hours
Tuition
US$42,120
Based on three quarters of attendance for 45 credit hours. View per-course tuition rates.
Food and housing
US$1,584
Estimated cost for living at home while attending SCAD. Actual costs vary.
Transportation
US$1,809
Estimated costs for personal transportation, such as flights, taxis, and automobile expenses. Use of SCAD buses is included in tuition cost.
Books, course materials, equipment, and supplies
US$2,061
Estimated costs for books and supplies. Actual costs vary. Under the book-provision policy, students with excess federal aid may be eligible for finances to purchase books and supplies before the end of the first week of class. Learn more.
Miscellaneous personal expenses
US$2,364
Estimated costs for other personal expenses, such as health care, entertainment, and other life needs. Actual costs vary.
Federal loan fees
US$216
Students with federal loans will have origination fees assessed before funds are sent to SCAD.
Total
US$50,154
Direct and indirect components
The books, course materials, equipment, miscellaneous personal expenses, and transportation budget components are not paid directly to SCAD; they are components that federal regulations require SCAD to include in determining financial aid eligibility. Tuition is a direct cost for all students. Food and housing fees are direct costs for students living in residence halls. Many students who need to borrow additional funds to cover expenses choose not to borrow funds for the indirect cost of attendance components, but all students should plan for these expenses.
In addition to the costs listed above, international students will incur expenses associated with purchasing health insurance and travel.