San Francisco, CA · Public · 18,639 undergraduates · urban
San Francisco State University
Less selective
SF State’s defining advantage is direct access to San Francisco, paired with distinctive academic depth in cinema, ethnic studies, communication, business, and public service.
Institutional profile
Highly regarded Exceptional in mobility, and strong in affordability.- Admission
- 96.2% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 67.1%
29,878 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$68,077 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets San Francisco State University apart
Academic design
The College of Ethnic Studies and long-established cinema programs distinguish a broad CSU curriculum.
Campus pattern
Southwest San Francisco campus is connected by transit to the city and surrounding Bay Area.
Career & value signal
Direct proximity to media, government, nonprofits, technology, healthcare, education, and creative industries.
Can I get in?
96.2% admitted
Start with the academic record, then make the intended direction and school-specific fit concrete.
Recent applicant pool
29,878About 96 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Record over scores
No score range is published for the entering class, so the transcript, the course rigor, and the required materials carry the file.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for San Francisco State University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What San Francisco State University weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
The College of Ethnic Studies and long-established cinema programs distinguish a broad CSU curriculum.
Make institutional fit specific
SF State’s defining advantage is direct access to San Francisco, paired with distinctive academic depth in cinema, ethnic studies, communication, business, and public service.
Use the application route carefully
Keep academic direction and school-specific choices coherent across the application.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and assemble each required item once.
$70 application fee
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
Performing and visual artsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
NursingAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
College funding
Scholarships and financial aid
Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.
San Francisco State University publishes one merit award. Each one requires a separate scholarship application. All of them renew past the first year.
Through one school within the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews · Has a dated deadline
Biology; Chemistry; BiochemistryIn the season card
This award, by name
What each one is called, what it pays, what it asks of you, and the date one of them closes - which is usually earlier than the application for admission.
- The name of each award
- What it pays
- The grades and scores it asks for
- The deadline
- What to send, and where
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at San Francisco State University
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Admits separately
Psychology, General
Biology, General
Computer Science
Admits separately
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
San Francisco State University beyond the classroom
Southwest San Francisco campus is connected by transit to the city and surrounding Bay Area.
A defining academic feature
The College of Ethnic Studies and long-established cinema programs distinguish a broad CSU curriculum.
What shapes an ordinary week
Southwest San Francisco campus is connected by transit to the city and surrounding Bay Area.
Where the degree can lead
Direct proximity to media, government, nonprofits, technology, healthcare, education, and creative industries.