CDU vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 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.

San Francisco State University is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

CDU vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CDU 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 CDU ($13,168 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Francisco State University are 32.7% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($22,266 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 189.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $15,050 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at CDU than at San Francisco State University (about $2,450 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at San Francisco State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 203.9% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($12,996 vs. $4,276).

CDU vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CDU 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 CDU.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CDU - Open admission; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CDU Jul 30, 2027; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Francisco State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CDU (3.26).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.5% at CDU vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

CDU vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CDU 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $4,069 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($178 vs. $220).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.