San Francisco State vs. Platt College-Los Angeles

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with Platt College Los Angeles in Alhambra, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than Platt College-Los Angeles based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Platt College Los Angeles is in Alhambra, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Platt College Los Angeles is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; Platt College Los Angeles 21:1.

San Francisco State vs. Platt College-Los Angeles Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or Platt College-Los Angeles? 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 Platt College-Los Angeles ($13,168 vs. $27,195).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Platt College Los Angeles are 22.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($17,178 vs. $22,266).
• Platt College Los Angeles is 87.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $6,972 more per year; $14,922.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at San Francisco State than at Platt College Los Angeles (about $5,628 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $14,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Platt College Los Angeles than at San Francisco State University (79% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 141.4% larger than aid received by Platt College Los Angeles students ($12,996 vs. $5,383).

San Francisco State vs. Platt College-Los Angeles Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or Platt College-Los Angeles? 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 Platt College-Los Angeles and San Francisco State.

• Platt College Los Angeles reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; Platt College-Los Angeles - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.

San Francisco State vs. Platt College-Los Angeles Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and Platt College-Los Angeles? 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).

• The graduation rate at San Francisco State is the same as at Platt College Los Angeles (46% vs. 46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Platt College-Los Angeles graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Platt College-Los Angeles graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Platt College-Los Angeles graduates ($178 vs. $217).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Platt College-Los Angeles students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 28%)

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.