San Francisco State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

San Francisco State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($13,168 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 55.7% lower than at San Francisco State University ($9,868 vs. $22,266).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 280.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $22,315 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Francisco State University (about $9,715 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Francisco State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 30.7% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($16,982 vs. $12,996).

San Francisco State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and San Francisco State.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 90 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

San Francisco State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($178 vs. $266).

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.