I’m transferring out of a community college in Florida after two years, and have been accepted into both University of Georgia and Savannah College of Art and Design, but I am having trouble listing the pros and cons of the two. I want to major in graphic design, so I feel like SCAD might be better suited for me, however, I’ve heard some negative reviews on SCAD and their accreditation. Also, UGA’s graphic design program seems nice as well, and is a little bit cheaper than SCAD. Can someone give me advice on which school to choose? Thanks 
Sure. First of all, ignore the negative stuff about SCAD’s accreditation. If you look it up you’ll see that they are accredited by the same agency that accredits UGA. What the complaint is about SCAD is that it won’t go for NASAD accreditation but so what? They teach the same foundation program and the same level of rigor. It’s considered a comparable by pretty much all the top art/design schools (RISD, Pratt, MICA, etc.) and you pretty much have to take the same courses as at other top places. The BFA-degree requires a 2/3-studio 1/3-academic experience in terms of contact hours which, again, is consistent with the other top schools. Rather than accreditation, look to the job placement for graphic design. While I don’t know that exactly, I do know that they are considered to have a pretty strong program - top 10-15, according to one source (Animation Career Review).
However, you will likely get a great education at UGA and if you are in-state you won’t be able to beat the price. UGA’s rep. as a university in general and state university in particular is fairly solid as well. You might consider attending UGA for your undergrad, then SCAD for the MFA (if you are thinking along those lines).
You should look into the cost differences assuming that UGA might have you remain the extra year (assuming that the average student graduates in more than 4). As a private school, SCAD should be able to get you out in four.
You should consider the academic requirements as well. SCAD will have the courses for the major, as well as the gen. ed requirements, listed on its website. You might want to compare both programs in terms of the requirements that you will need to fulfill to be granted the BFA. SCAD, for instance, does not require a portfolio review before you are approved for the major whereas many state universities do require that. You’ll want to make sure you understand all the academic differences between the two places.
Good luck!
OP is transferring so I’d be curious if s/he’s taken any graphic design classes that could transfer. Most design programs are sequential, and each university will have their own way of awarding credit. I seem to recall that SCAD is not great at accepting design credits from other schools, but OP should definitely check on that.
Also, I don’t know anything about UGA’s program, but The Creative Circus would be in your backyard, and they’re awesome. You could even earn UGA credit from their summer program.
Yeah, not sure about design classes. Most art/design schools are a bit picky about that. It’s possible some of the foundation courses may transfer (they would from other BFA programs but not sure about a CC or a non-BFA program at a uni). OP will have better luck transferring academic coursework as these might fulfill some of the gen ed requirements at SCAD. That will leave more room for studio and hopefully a finish w/in four years total.
I have taken basic foundation courses at my community college already, such as drawing 1 and 2 and design 1 and 2. I will have completed my AA degree after this semester ends so I’m hoping most of my gen ed credits will transfer
OP–As mentioned above, It will be up to the college you are transferring to as to if they accept the credits you have from your CC. Many art programs will not accept art credits especially for foundation years. Usually the gen ed credits will transfer.
How much cheaper is UGA? Can you afford SCAD without huge loans? Did you look at any programs in Florida?