California Baptist University vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

California Baptist University vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or San Francisco State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Francisco State University than California Baptist University ($13,168 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 45.5% lower than at San Francisco State University ($12,140 vs. $22,266).
• California Baptist University is 418.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $33,278 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.6% higher at California Baptist University than at San Francisco State University (about $20,678 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at San Francisco State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 105.8% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($26,743 vs. $12,996).

California Baptist University vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or San Francisco State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Francisco State and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Baptist University (1060) is 30 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

California Baptist University vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and San Francisco State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.