Overview
Enrollment
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Online | sfsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
San Francisco State University, located in southwest San Francisco near Lake Merced, occupies a 141-acre urban campus approximately eight miles from downtown. Founded in 1899 as a teacher-training school, SFSU has evolved into a comprehensive public university within the California State University system, offering a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across six academic colleges. The campus features a mix of modern and brutalist architecture, with notable facilities including the J. Paul Leonard Library and the Mashouf Wellness Center. The university is particularly recognized for its programs in cinema, broadcasting, journalism, and ethnic studies?having established the nation's first College of Ethnic Studies. While primarily a commuter school serving the Bay Area, SFSU maintains several residence halls housing students near the center of campus, with convenient access to public transportation including MUNI and BART connections to greater San Francisco.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
San Francisco State is rated within the lower 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for San Francisco State University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#789 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#285 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#49 in Best Colleges in California
#18 in Best Public Colleges in California
#198 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 930/1130 |
| ACT | 16/23 |
| GPA | 3.31 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,099 |
| Other Fees | $1,782 |
| Room and Board | $17,955 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,547 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,125 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,099 |
| Other Fees | $1,782 |
| Room and Board | $17,955 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,547 |
| Total One Year Cost | $41,005 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Communication | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
| Psychology | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about San Francisco State University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122597 IPEDS survey data for San Francisco State University.
Current students may use the San Francisco State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024