San Francisco State vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

San Francisco State vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or WNC? 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 WNC ($13,168 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Nevada College are 20.1% lower than at San Francisco State University ($17,788 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 90.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $3,782 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at San Francisco State than at Western Nevada College (about $7,716 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at San Francisco State University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 121.2% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,996 vs. $5,874).

San Francisco State vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

• Western Nevada College 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; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.

San Francisco State vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and WNC? 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 $18,900 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $5,934 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($11,316 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($117 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 30%)

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.