San Francisco State vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

San Francisco State vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($13,168 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 38.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($13,600 vs. $22,266).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 606.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $48,212 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173.3% higher at SCI-Arc than at San Francisco State University (about $35,612 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (77% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 228% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($42,627 vs. $12,996).

San Francisco State vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc and San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 100 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: San Francisco State University 930/1130; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

San Francisco State vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and SCI-Arc? 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.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $25,500 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($17,250 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $264 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($178 vs. $442).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.