San Francisco State University
- 5/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- San Francisco, CA
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5.0 1 review
Overview
Total enrollment
22,563- Location San Francisco, California
- Website sfsu.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Large City
- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- 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
San Francisco State is rated within the lower 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.
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Overall Rating5 out of 10
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Academics2 out of 10
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Resources4 out of 10
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Outcomes7 out of 10
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Value4 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for San Francisco State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- GPA 3.31
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
- Enrollment Rate 8.6%
- Application Fee $70
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
$7,950Out of State Resident Tuition
$20,550Breakdown
- Tuition $7,950
- Books and Supplies $1,100
- Other Fees $1,866
- Room and Board $22,266
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,734
- Total One Year Cost $37,916
- Tuition $20,550
- Books and Supplies $1,100
- Other Fees $1,866
- Room and Board $22,266
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,734
- Total One Year Cost $50,516
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at San Francisco State University are Business, Social Sciences, and Communication. 22% of students major in Business, 9% in Social Sciences, and 9% in Communication.
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Business 22%
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Social Sciences 9%
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Communication 9%
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Visual and Performing Arts 9%
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Psychology 7%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering San Francisco State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122597.
GPA calculator: San Francisco State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026