La Sierra University vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra 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 La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• La Sierra 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: La Sierra University 12:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

La Sierra University vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($13,168 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 39.7% lower than at San Francisco State University ($13,431 vs. $22,266).
• La Sierra University is 374.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $29,760 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.5% higher at La Sierra University than at San Francisco State University (about $17,160 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at San Francisco State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 112.7% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($27,646 vs. $12,996).

La Sierra University vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at San Francisco State University (1030) is 20 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Sierra University 880/1140; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Sierra University 18/28; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

La Sierra University vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra 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.

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($17,250 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($178 vs. $310).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.