Cal State LA vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

Cal State LA vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 California State University Los Angeles than San Francisco State ($4,460 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Los Angeles are 11.5% lower than at San Francisco State University ($19,696 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $790 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at San Francisco State than at California State University Los Angeles (about $790 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at San Francisco State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 6.4% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($13,824 vs. $12,996).

Cal State LA vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or San Francisco State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Francisco State and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Francisco State University (1030) is 60 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming San Francisco State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

Cal State LA vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and San Francisco State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $4,330 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($12,920 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($133 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.