San Francisco State University

Public
San FranciscoCA
City

Estimated Net Cost

(per year)
$14k

Estimated Post Grad Salary

(per year)
$59k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California, founded in 1899. Known for its strong programs in cinema, broadcast and electronic communication arts, and ethnic studies, it is recognized for its diverse student body and emphasis on social justice issues. The campus is situated next to Lake Merced, offering students a peaceful natural retreat within the bustling city.

Pros

  • Diverse student body

  • Strong academic programs

  • Location in a vibrant city

  • Opportunities for internships and networking

Cons

  • High cost of living in the area

  • Large campus can feel impersonal

  • Limited parking options

  • Potential overcrowding in classes

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at San Francisco State University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at San Francisco State University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at San Francisco State University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at San Francisco State University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
$7,424$29,696
Room and Board
$17,955$71,820
Books and Supplies
$1,099$4,396
Other expenses
$3,978$24,768
Sticker Price$30,456$130,680

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $295 per year over the next three years, reaching $7,719 in 2024, and $8,014 in 2025, and $8,309 in 2026.

Return On Education

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

951
San Francisco State University stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

Admissions

San Francisco State University admissions is not very selective with an acceptance rate of 94%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
Admission Rate
94%
Graduation Rate
54%

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range
-
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application Deadline
See college website
Early Decision Date
See college website
Early Action Date
See college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
Sciences31 programs
Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree
Computer ScienceMaster's Degree
Consumer SciencesBachelor's Degree
Consumer SciencesMaster's Degree
BotanyBachelor's Degree
Cellular BiologyBachelor's Degree
Cellular BiologyMaster's Degree
MicrobiologyBachelor's Degree
MicrobiologyMaster's Degree
ZoologyBachelor's Degree
Pathology & PhysiologyBachelor's Degree
Pathology & PhysiologyMaster's Degree
GerontologyMaster's Degree
Science & SocietyDoctoral Degree – Other
Behavioral ScienceBachelor's Degree
Behavioral ScienceMaster's Degree
Natural SciencesBachelor's Degree
Marine ScienceMaster's Degree
Physical SciencesBachelor's Degree
AstronomyBachelor's Degree
AstronomyMaster's Degree
GeologyBachelor's Degree
GeologyMaster's Degree
PsychologyBachelor's Degree
PsychologyMaster's Degree
Social SciencesBachelor's Degree
Social SciencesMaster's Degree
Urban StudiesBachelor's Degree
Communication DisordersBachelor's Degree
Communication DisordersPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Communication DisordersMaster's Degree
Technician2 programs
AV TechnicianUndergraduate Certificate
Industrial TechnicianBachelor's Degree
Interdisciplinary3 programs
Area StudiesBachelor's Degree
Other InterdisciplinaryBachelor's Degree
Other InterdisciplinaryMaster's Degree
Natural Resources2 programs
Engineering6 programs
Engineering GeneralMaster's Degree
Civil EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Computer EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Electrical EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree
Systems EngineeringMaster's Degree
History5 programs
Museum StudiesMaster's Degree
GeographyBachelor's Degree
GeographyMaster's Degree
HistoryBachelor's Degree
HistoryMaster's Degree
Humanities4 programs
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesBachelor's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesMaster's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural StudiesDoctoral Degree – Other
Communications6 programs
Communication & Media StudiesBachelor's Degree
JournalismBachelor's Degree
WritingBachelor's Degree
WritingMaster's Degree
Public AdministrationMaster's Degree
Linguistics16 programs
BroadcastingUndergraduate Certificate
BroadcastingBachelor's Degree
BroadcastingMaster's Degree
Language StudiesUndergraduate Certificate
Language StudiesBachelor's Degree
Language StudiesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Language StudiesMaster's Degree
East Asian LanguagesBachelor's Degree
East Asian LanguagesMaster's Degree
Germanic LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Germanic LanguagesMaster's Degree
Romance LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Romance LanguagesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Romance LanguagesMaster's Degree
Classical LanguagesBachelor's Degree
Classical LanguagesMaster's Degree
Hospitality ManagementBachelor's Degree
Education26 programs
Education GeneralBachelor's Degree
Education GeneralMaster's Degree
Education GeneralDoctoral Degree – Research
Curriculum DesignDoctoral Degree – Other
Education AdministrationMaster's Degree
Education AdministrationDoctoral Degree – Research
Instructional MediaMaster's Degree
Special EducationBachelor's Degree
Special EducationPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Special EducationMaster's Degree
Special EducationDoctoral Degree – Other
Teacher TrainingBachelor's Degree
Teacher TrainingPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Teacher TrainingMaster's Degree
Teacher TrainingDoctoral Degree – Other
Subject-Specific TeachingBachelor's Degree
Subject-Specific TeachingPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Subject-Specific TeachingMaster's Degree
Subject-Specific TeachingDoctoral Degree – Other
ESL TeachingMaster's Degree
Other EducationMaster's Degree
KinesiologyBachelor's Degree
KinesiologyMaster's Degree
KinesiologyDoctoral Degree – Other
Health Education & EthicsBachelor's Degree
Health Education & EthicsMaster's Degree
Social Work4 programs
School CounselingBachelor's Degree
School CounselingMaster's Degree
Social WorkBachelor's Degree
Social WorkMaster's Degree
Health10 programs
NutritionPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Nutrition ScienceBachelor's Degree
Nutrition SciencePost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Health SkillsBachelor's Degree
Health SciencesBachelor's Degree
Health SciencesDoctoral Degree – Other
Rehabilitation ProfessionsMaster's Degree
Rehabilitation ProfessionsDoctoral Degree – Research
Rehabilitation ProfessionsDoctoral Degree – Professional
Other Health ProfessionsPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Apparel & TextilesBachelor's Degree
Law2 programs
Legal SupportUndergraduate Certificate
Legal SupportPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
English2 programs
Liberal Arts2 programs
Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree
Liberal ArtsMaster's Degree
Biology5 programs
BiologyBachelor's Degree
BiologyMaster's Degree
EcologyBachelor's Degree
EcologyMaster's Degree
Mathematics6 programs
MathematicsBachelor's Degree
MathematicsMaster's Degree
Applied MathematicsBachelor's Degree
StatisticsBachelor's Degree
Management ScienceBachelor's Degree
Management ScienceMaster's Degree
Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree
Economics2 programs
EconomicsBachelor's Degree
EconomicsMaster's Degree
Parks & Recreation2 programs
Parks & RecreationBachelor's Degree
Parks & RecreationMaster's Degree
Philosophy2 programs
PhilosophyBachelor's Degree
PhilosophyMaster's Degree
Religion2 programs
Religious StudiesBachelor's Degree
Other Philosophy & ReligionBachelor's Degree
Chemistry2 programs
ChemistryBachelor's Degree
ChemistryMaster's Degree
Physics2 programs
PhysicsBachelor's Degree
PhysicsMaster's Degree
Psychology2 programs
Experimental PsychologyMaster's Degree
Clinical PsychologyMaster's Degree
Government2 programs
Political ScienceBachelor's Degree
Political ScienceMaster's Degree
Anthropology2 programs
AnthropologyBachelor's Degree
AnthropologyMaster's Degree
International2 programs
International RelationsBachelor's Degree
International RelationsMaster's Degree
SociologyBachelor's Degree
Arts11 programs
DanceBachelor's Degree
Applied ArtsBachelor's Degree
Applied ArtsMaster's Degree
TheatreBachelor's Degree
TheatreMaster's Degree
Film & PhotographyBachelor's Degree
Film & PhotographyMaster's Degree
Fine ArtsBachelor's Degree
Fine ArtsMaster's Degree
MusicBachelor's Degree
MusicMaster's Degree
Medical12 programs
Laboratory ScienceBachelor's Degree
Laboratory SciencePost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Laboratory ScienceMaster's Degree
Laboratory ScienceDoctoral Degree – Other
Medical PreparationBachelor's Degree
Medical PreparationPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Medical PreparationDoctoral Degree – Other
Mental Health ServicesMaster's Degree
Public HealthMaster's Degree
Registered Nursing (RN)Bachelor's Degree
Registered Nursing (RN)Master's Degree
Registered Nursing (RN)Doctoral Degree – Other
Nutrition2 programs
Nutrition ServicesBachelor's Degree
Nutrition ServicesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate
Business11 programs
Business ManagementBachelor's Degree
Business ManagementMaster's Degree
Business ManagementDoctoral Degree – Other
AccountingBachelor's Degree
AccountingMaster's Degree
AccountingDoctoral Degree – Other
FinanceBachelor's Degree
Human ResourcesBachelor's Degree
International BusinessBachelor's Degree
MarketingBachelor's Degree
MarketingDoctoral Degree – Other

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,985
Full-time Students2,850
Part-time Students135

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:19:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about San Francisco State University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.1)
Niche
(3.5)
US News
(4.2)

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