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 Science
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
Master's Degree
Consumer Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Consumer Sciences
Master's Degree
Botany
Bachelor's Degree
Cellular Biology
Bachelor's Degree
Cellular Biology
Master's Degree
Microbiology
Bachelor's Degree
Microbiology
Master's Degree
Zoology
Bachelor's Degree
Pathology & Physiology
Bachelor's Degree
Pathology & Physiology
Master's Degree
Gerontology
Master's Degree
Science & Society
Doctoral Degree – Other
Behavioral Science
Bachelor's Degree
Behavioral Science
Master's Degree
Natural Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Marine Science
Master's Degree
Physical Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Astronomy
Bachelor's Degree
Astronomy
Master's Degree
Geology
Bachelor's Degree
Geology
Master's Degree
Psychology
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology
Master's Degree
Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Social Sciences
Master's Degree
Urban Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Communication Disorders
Bachelor's Degree
Communication Disorders
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Communication Disorders
Master's Degree
Technician2 programs
AV Technician
Undergraduate Certificate
Industrial Technician
Bachelor's Degree
Interdisciplinary3 programs
Area Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Bachelor's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Master's Degree
Natural Resources2 programs
Engineering6 programs
Engineering General
Master'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
History5 programs
Museum Studies
Master's Degree
Geography
Bachelor's Degree
Geography
Master's Degree
History
Bachelor's Degree
History
Master's Degree
Humanities4 programs
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Undergraduate Certificate
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Master's Degree
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Doctoral Degree – Other
Communications6 programs
Communication & Media Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Journalism
Bachelor's Degree
Writing
Bachelor's Degree
Writing
Master's Degree
Public Administration
Master's Degree
Linguistics16 programs
Broadcasting
Undergraduate Certificate
Broadcasting
Bachelor's Degree
Broadcasting
Master's Degree
Language Studies
Undergraduate Certificate
Language Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Language Studies
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Language Studies
Master's Degree
East Asian Languages
Bachelor's Degree
East Asian Languages
Master's Degree
Germanic Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Germanic Languages
Master's Degree
Romance Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Romance Languages
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Romance Languages
Master's Degree
Classical Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Classical Languages
Master's Degree
Hospitality ManagementBachelor's Degree
Education26 programs
Education General
Bachelor's Degree
Education General
Master's Degree
Education General
Doctoral Degree – Research
Curriculum Design
Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Administration
Master's Degree
Education Administration
Doctoral Degree – Research
Instructional Media
Master's Degree
Special Education
Bachelor's Degree
Special Education
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Special Education
Master's Degree
Special Education
Doctoral Degree – Other
Teacher Training
Bachelor's Degree
Teacher Training
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Teacher Training
Master's Degree
Teacher Training
Doctoral Degree – Other
Subject-Specific Teaching
Bachelor's Degree
Subject-Specific Teaching
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Subject-Specific Teaching
Master's Degree
Subject-Specific Teaching
Doctoral Degree – Other
ESL Teaching
Master's Degree
Other Education
Master's Degree
Kinesiology
Bachelor's Degree
Kinesiology
Master's Degree
Kinesiology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Health Education & Ethics
Bachelor's Degree
Health Education & Ethics
Master's Degree
Social Work4 programs
School Counseling
Bachelor's Degree
School Counseling
Master's Degree
Social Work
Bachelor's Degree
Social Work
Master's Degree
Health10 programs
Nutrition
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Nutrition Science
Bachelor's Degree
Nutrition Science
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Health Skills
Bachelor's Degree
Health Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Health Sciences
Doctoral Degree – Other
Rehabilitation Professions
Master's Degree
Rehabilitation Professions
Doctoral Degree – Research
Rehabilitation Professions
Doctoral Degree – Professional
Other Health Professions
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Apparel & TextilesBachelor's Degree
Law2 programs
Legal Support
Undergraduate Certificate
Legal Support
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
English2 programs
Liberal Arts2 programs
Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Liberal Arts
Master's Degree
Biology5 programs
Biology
Bachelor's Degree
Biology
Master's Degree
Ecology
Bachelor's Degree
Ecology
Master's Degree
Mathematics6 programs
Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree
Mathematics
Master's Degree
Applied Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree
Statistics
Bachelor's Degree
Management Science
Bachelor's Degree
Management Science
Master's Degree
Criminal JusticeBachelor's Degree
Economics2 programs
Economics
Bachelor's Degree
Economics
Master's Degree
Parks & Recreation2 programs
Parks & Recreation
Bachelor's Degree
Parks & Recreation
Master's Degree
Philosophy2 programs
Philosophy
Bachelor's Degree
Philosophy
Master's Degree
Religion2 programs
Religious Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Other Philosophy & Religion
Bachelor's Degree
Chemistry2 programs
Chemistry
Bachelor's Degree
Chemistry
Master's Degree
Physics2 programs
Physics
Bachelor's Degree
Physics
Master's Degree
Psychology2 programs
Experimental Psychology
Master's Degree
Clinical Psychology
Master's Degree
Government2 programs
Political Science
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
Master's Degree
Anthropology2 programs
Anthropology
Bachelor's Degree
Anthropology
Master's Degree
International2 programs
International Relations
Bachelor's Degree
International Relations
Master's Degree
SociologyBachelor's Degree
Arts11 programs
Dance
Bachelor's Degree
Applied Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Applied Arts
Master's Degree
Theatre
Bachelor's Degree
Theatre
Master's Degree
Film & Photography
Bachelor's Degree
Film & Photography
Master's Degree
Fine Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Fine Arts
Master's Degree
Music
Bachelor's Degree
Music
Master's Degree
Medical12 programs
Laboratory Science
Bachelor's Degree
Laboratory Science
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Laboratory Science
Master's Degree
Laboratory Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Medical Preparation
Bachelor's Degree
Medical Preparation
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Medical Preparation
Doctoral Degree – Other
Mental Health Services
Master's Degree
Public Health
Master's Degree
Nursing
Bachelor's Degree
Nursing
Master's Degree
Nursing
Doctoral Degree – Other
Nutrition2 programs
Nutrition Services
Bachelor's Degree
Nutrition Services
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Business11 programs
Business Management
Bachelor's Degree
Business Management
Master's Degree
Business Management
Doctoral Degree – Other
Accounting
Bachelor's Degree
Accounting
Master's Degree
Accounting
Doctoral Degree – Other
Finance
Bachelor's Degree
Human Resources
Bachelor's Degree
International Business
Bachelor's Degree
Marketing
Bachelor's Degree
Marketing
Doctoral 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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