San Francisco State vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

San Francisco State vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or USF? 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 USF ($13,168 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 11.2% lower than at San Francisco State University ($19,764 vs. $22,266).
• University of San Francisco is 660.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $52,542 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.4% higher at USF than at San Francisco State University (about $39,942 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at San Francisco State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 167.2% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($34,723 vs. $12,996).

San Francisco State vs. USF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or USF? 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 USF and San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 260 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming USF students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 6% at USF.

San Francisco State vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and USF? 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).

• University of San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($178 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.