CSU vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

CSU vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($13,168 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 25.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($16,500 vs. $22,266).
• California State University Chico is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $522 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at CSU than at San Francisco State University (about $522 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State University Chico (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,996 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 40 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming CSU 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 State University Chico 970/1170; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 18/24; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman CSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

CSU vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($17,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($175 vs. $178).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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.