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#18 Best Public Universities in California

San Francisco State Admission Requirements

San Francisco, California

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Your chances of getting into San Francisco State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

94.2%
Admission Difficulty for San Francisco State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at San Francisco State is 94.2%.  Its admission rate is the 94th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into San Francisco State and can you get accepted?

San Francisco State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 28,195 out of the 29,932 who applied were admitted.

San Francisco State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.31. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into San Francisco State?

94% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to San Francisco State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.31 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1030 on the SAT
  • Score 19 on the ACT

San Francisco State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.31

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into San Francisco State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into San Francisco State are to have around a 3.31 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.31 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as San Francisco State accepts 94% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at San Francisco State is 3.31 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #72 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since San Francisco State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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San Francisco State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by San Francisco State University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

930-1130

Applicants Submitting SAT 

90%
SAT Scores for San Francisco State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 470
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 930
SAT Scores for San Francisco State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 570
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1130
Average SAT Score 1030

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to San Francisco State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at San Francisco State is 1030 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 930-1130. Students who get into San Francisco State University score in the top 73 percent of all SAT test takers..  San Francisco State ranks #60 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1030 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. San Francisco State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 930 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 930, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 830, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

San Francisco State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1030 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1030, you have around a 94% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

San Francisco State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1130 and Above Good >97%
1030 to 1130 Avg + 94%-97%
930 to 1030 Avg - 89%-94%
830 to 930 Reach 81%-89%
Less than 830 Low <81%
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San Francisco State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

16-23 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

25%
ACT Scores for San Francisco State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 14
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 16
ACT Scores for San Francisco State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 22
Composite 75th Percentile 23
Average ACT Score 19

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into San Francisco State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to San Francisco State is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 16 and 23.  The school ranks #59 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 16 and score in the score in the top 75 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.

25 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to San Francisco State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as San Francisco State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into San Francisco State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 94% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 23 ACT score.

San Francisco State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
23 and Above Good >97%
19 to 23 Avg + 94%-97%
16 to 19 Avg - 90%-94%
13 to 16 Reach 84%-90%
Less than 13 Low <84%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

San Francisco State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 18,167 11,765 29,932
Accepted 17,273 10,922 28,195
Acceptance Rate 95% 93% 94%
Enrolled 1,928 1,411 3,339
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 13% 12%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to San Francisco State University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to San Francisco State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

San Francisco State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at San Francisco State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because San Francisco State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.31 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1030 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to San Francisco State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122597 IPEDS survey data for San Francisco State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024