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© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. San Francisco State University

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$14k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(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
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$7,424$29,696
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$17,955$71,820
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at San Francisco State University
 
$1,099$4,396
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at San Francisco State University) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$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 $286 per year over the next three years, reaching $8,577 in 2024, and $8,862 in 2025, and $9,148 in 2026.

Return On Education

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.
94%Admission Rate
54%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range -
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
SciencesBachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Consumer Sciences•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Plant Biology•Bachelor's Degree
Cellular Biology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Microbiology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Zoology•Bachelor's Degree
Pathology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Gerontology•Master's Degree
Behavioral Sciences•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Natural Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
Marine Sciences•Master's Degree
Economics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Physical Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
Astronomy•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Geology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Psychology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Social Sciences•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Urban Studies•Bachelor's Degree
TechnicianUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree
EngineeringMaster's Degree
⌄
Civil Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Computer Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Mechanical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Systems Engineering•Master's Degree
HistoryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Museum Studies•Master's Degree
Political Science•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Cartography•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HumanitiesBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
LinguisticsUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree
⌄
East Asian Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
German•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Romance Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree
Classic Languages, Literatures & Linguisitics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HospitalityBachelor's Degree
EducationBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Curriculum & Instruction•Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Administration•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Educational Design•Master's Degree
Special Education•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Teaching•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Physical Education•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Social WorkBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Student Counseling•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HealthPost-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree
⌄
Nutrition•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Health Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
Heath Sciences•Bachelor's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Health Preparation•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Doctoral Degree – Other
Rehabilitation•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional
Apparel & TextilesBachelor's Degree
Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
BiologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology•Bachelor's Degree
Ecology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
MathematicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Applied Mathematics•Bachelor's Degree
Statistics•Bachelor's Degree
Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree
AccountingBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Parks & RecreationBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
ChemistryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
PhysicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
AnthropologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
SociologyBachelor's Degree
BusinessBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Finance•Bachelor's Degree
Human Resource Management•Bachelor's Degree
International Business•Bachelor's Degree
Marketing•Bachelor's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
ManagementBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree

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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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.

RoEDU
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.

San Francisco State University

Public
San Francisco, CA
City