Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, 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 Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Oaks College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Oaks College 11:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific Oaks College or San Francisco State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Oaks College are 13.8% lower than at San Francisco State University ($19,185 vs. $22,266).
• Pacific Oaks College is 309.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $24,570 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at San Francisco State University (about $11,970 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at Pacific Oaks College (77% vs. 0%).

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Oaks College 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 Pacific Oaks College.

• 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: Pacific Oaks College - Test optional; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

Pacific Oaks College vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Oaks College 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 San Francisco State University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $3,717 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($17,250 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($178 vs. $216).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.