DUofC vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, 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 DUofC based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

DUofC vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC 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 DUofC ($13,168 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 27.3% lower than at San Francisco State University ($16,191 vs. $22,266).
• Dominican University of California is 556.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $44,211 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.8% higher at DUofC than at San Francisco State University (about $31,611 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at San Francisco State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 163.3% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($34,224 vs. $12,996).

DUofC vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC 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 DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 230 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; San 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: DUofC - Test optional; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

DUofC vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC 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).

• Dominican University of California's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $52,600), 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 DUofC graduates ($17,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($178 vs. $279).
• More DUofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.