San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA 94132
About San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public research university in San Francisco, California, with about 18,639 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 96.44% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $68,077 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- San Francisco State University charges 44% above the national public median tuition ($7,950).
- Versus the California median, sticker tuition is 2% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 50.37%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $68,077.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at San Francisco State University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1286% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
San Francisco State University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 103 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | $7,950 | $12,278 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| California (state median) | $8,093 | $8,343 | 287 |
| Urban (City) (locale median) | $15,200 | $20,053 | 1,346 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is San Francisco State University really?
Key findings
- San Francisco State University charges 44% above the national public median tuition ($7,950).
- Versus the California median, sticker tuition is 2% below.
San Francisco State University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $7,950
Finding San Francisco State University charges 44% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $7,950. That is 44% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the California median ($8,093), sticker tuition is 2% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 33% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at San Francisco State University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at San Francisco State University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at San Francisco State University is $12,278.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $12,278 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $3,935 above the California median net price. Versus urban (city) campuses, net price runs $7,775 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At San Francisco State University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
San Francisco State University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for San Francisco State University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$7,950
Out-of-state tuition
$20,550
Avg. net price
$12,278
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $9,341 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,867 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,825 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $14,556 |
| $110,001+ | $22,523 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $31,800. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What San Francisco State University is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General1,043
- Psychology, General475
- Computer Science410
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General388
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric222
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 10% of admitted students enrolled.
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is San Francisco State University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
San Francisco State University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for San Francisco State University.
Campus
Location
San Francisco, CA
City / state
- ZIP
- 94132
- NCES locale
- City
Compared with Urban (City) campuses nationally, net price is 39% below the median for Urban (City) campuses ($20,053 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Far West
- Carnegie
- Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Size
Enrollment
18,639
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 21,931
- Graduate
- 3,119
- Full-time share
- 82%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$15,371
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 42.22%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for San Francisco State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at San Francisco State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for San Francisco State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,450 | $17,610 | $14,235 |
| 2014 | $6,468 | $17,628 | $11,658 |
| 2015 | $6,476 | $17,636 | $12,768 |
| 2016 | $6,484 | $17,644 | $13,655 |
| 2017 | $7,254 | $19,134 | $13,787 |
| 2018 | $7,260 | $19,140 | $15,033 |
| 2019 | $7,266 | $19,146 | $15,113 |
| 2020 | $7,006 | $18,886 | $14,459 |
| 2021 | $7,304 | $19,184 | $12,590 |
| 2022 | $7,524 | $19,404 | $12,912 |
| 2023 | $7,424 | $19,304 | $12,882 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
San Francisco State University reported total enrollment of about 18,639 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (40.1%), Asian (23.4%), and White (15.0%). About 42.22% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 48.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
81.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at San Francisco State University in 2024 is 18,639 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 21,931 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,119 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
82.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
28.43% 100% Completion Time
50.37% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 28.43% of students graduating from San Francisco State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 56% male / 44% female
- Psychology, General: 26% male / 74% female
- Computer Science: 81% male / 19% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
San Francisco State University graduates earn a median of $68,077 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of San Francisco State University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $68,077. Median federal loan debt: $15,371. Average net price used in cost models: $12,278.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway San Francisco State University graduates report median earnings of $68,077 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for San Francisco State University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (103 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at San Francisco State University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for San Francisco State University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for San Francisco State University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$162M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- California median 8.2× the median ($19.7M)
- Far West median 9.7× the median ($16.8M)
- U.S. median 6.1× the median ($26.4M)
- California median near the median ($7,407)
- Far West median near the median ($7,260)
- U.S. median 0.61× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 53.2%
- California median 13.8 pp above median (39.3%)
- Far West median 7.5 pp above median (45.7%)
- U.S. median 4.8 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $13,199
- California median 1.3× the median ($10,166)
- Far West median 1.4× the median ($9,635)
- U.S. median 1.7× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,604
- California median 1.6× the median ($6,474)
- Far West median 1.5× the median ($7,030)
- U.S. median 1.5× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
San Francisco State University at a glance
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public institution in San Francisco, CA, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralPsychology, GeneralComputer Science
- Largest enrollment groups
- Hispanic or Latino40.1%Asian23.4%White or Caucasian15.0%
Schools near San Francisco State University
Other campuses in San Francisco, CA when available, plus nearby institutions in California.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within California, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is San Francisco State University located?
San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA.
What is San Francisco State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at San Francisco State University is 96.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 29,878 applicants and 28,727 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is San Francisco State University's tuition?
San Francisco State University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $7,950 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $12,278 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does San Francisco State University cost?
Reported tuition is $7,950 and average net price is $12,278 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $22,266 annually.
What explains San Francisco State University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($12,278), completion (50.4% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($68,077). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 21,931 students, Hispanic or Latino (40.1%), Asian (23.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend San Francisco State University?
About 48.2% of students at San Francisco State University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of San Francisco State University earn?
Median earnings are $52,650 six years after entry and $68,077 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at San Francisco State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 50.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do San Francisco State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $15,371.
Is San Francisco State University public or private?
San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, CA.
Is San Francisco State University an HBCU?
No. San Francisco State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.