San Francisco State University is a public 4-year college in San Francisco, California with 18,639 undergraduates. It admits 96% of applicants, costs an average of $9,803 a year after grants and graduates 50% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
San Francisco State University acceptance rate and admissions
San Francisco State University admitted 96% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
San Francisco State University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $8,324 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $21,644 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $23,890 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $25,244 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $9,803 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $9,803 a year after grants and scholarships, $15,441 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run San Francisco State University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
San Francisco State University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 50% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $73,299 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $15,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 20% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
San Francisco State University majors and what graduates earn
San Francisco State University awarded bachelor's degrees in 62 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($150,102).
All 62 majors at San Francisco State University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 182 | $145,008 | $150,102 | $13,331 |
| Electrical engineering | 33 | $85,968 | $112,454 | $19,178 |
| Computer science | 369 | $70,632 | $105,166 | $17,062 |
| Mechanical engineering | 72 | $74,869 | $102,104 | $18,500 |
| Computer engineering | 37 | $74,592 | $94,129 | $21,000 |
| Civil engineering | 61 | $82,059 | $90,894 | $21,250 |
| Economics | 56 | $51,760 | $82,697 | $18,750 |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 42 | $62,350 | $76,134 | $15,000 |
| Human resources | 6 | n/a | $75,207 | n/a |
| Biology | 339 | $44,755 | $74,204 | $15,000 |
| Business administration | 980 | $53,836 | $73,775 | $16,624 |
| Mathematics | 35 | n/a | $71,323 | $16,750 |
| Speech-language pathology | 29 | $35,631 | $70,532 | $19,500 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 12 | $62,498 | $70,207 | n/a |
| Social work | 21 | $44,889 | $68,524 | $21,763 |
| International relations | 30 | $41,658 | $65,775 | $12,766 |
| Hospitality management | 15 | $52,160 | $65,510 | n/a |
| Health professions, general | 31 | $48,894 | $65,252 | $18,625 |
| Criminal justice | 176 | $42,419 | $63,764 | $15,000 |
| Communication | 211 | $48,274 | $63,731 | $15,000 |
| Geography | 27 | $43,637 | $63,590 | n/a |
| Romance languages | 15 | $54,778 | $62,623 | n/a |
| Sociology | 118 | $47,995 | $62,385 | $15,000 |
| Environmental science | 57 | $44,855 | $62,116 | $13,964 |
| Political science | 114 | $45,925 | $61,915 | $13,773 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 57 | $36,231 | $61,895 | $20,000 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 16 | $38,298 | $61,603 | n/a |
| Anthropology | 20 | $42,054 | $61,300 | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | 210 | $45,013 | $59,993 | $12,500 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 65 | $43,013 | $59,990 | $17,958 |
| Graphic and industrial design | 193 | $43,685 | $59,678 | $15,000 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 144 | $42,540 | $59,056 | $13,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 36 | $40,228 | $59,032 | $16,085 |
| History | 48 | $33,600 | $58,717 | $15,500 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 49 | $43,229 | $58,617 | $17,481 |
| Radio, TV and digital media | 107 | $40,506 | $58,550 | $18,750 |
| Family and consumer sciences | 3 | n/a | $58,530 | n/a |
| Journalism | 36 | $40,270 | $57,260 | $13,467 |
| English | 95 | $37,226 | $56,297 | $15,833 |
| Psychology | 452 | $40,742 | $55,902 | $13,250 |
| Parks and recreation | 10 | $40,746 | $55,212 | n/a |
| Apparel and Textiles | 59 | $35,725 | $53,575 | $18,625 |
| Linguistics | 5 | n/a | $48,959 | n/a |
| Film and photography | 185 | $32,668 | $47,149 | $15,305 |
| Theater | 36 | $29,663 | $44,848 | $16,842 |
| Dance | 5 | n/a | $44,627 | n/a |
| Philosophy | 16 | $41,164 | $42,993 | $16,152 |
| Fine and studio arts | 87 | $31,796 | $42,868 | $18,000 |
| Music | 25 | $36,891 | $38,639 | $18,812 |
| Public health | 130 | n/a | n/a | $15,350 |
| Physics | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 13 | $58,948 | n/a | n/a |
| Applied mathematics | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Statistics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Area Studies | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at San Francisco State University
63 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 63 graduate programs
Students and location
- 18,639 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 54% women, 46% men
- 19 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University admitted 96% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does San Francisco State University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $8,324 for in-state students and $21,644 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $9,803 a year in 2024-25.
Is San Francisco State University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, San Francisco State University reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at San Francisco State University?
50% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do San Francisco State University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $73,299 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in California · colleges in San Francisco · San Francisco State University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.