San Francisco State University

www.sfsu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,084

5.96% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$13,168

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

96.4%

28,221 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

22,563

77.2% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

50.4%

2,048 Graduates

About

San Francisco State University is a higher education institution located in San Francisco County, CA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at San Francisco State University were General Business Administration & Management (980 degrees awarded), General Psychology (452 degrees), and Computer Science (369 degrees).

In 2024, 6,395 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at San Francisco State University. 57.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 42.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (2,121 degrees), 1.29 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,643 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at San Francisco State University is $6,084, which is $−25,836 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

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Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at San Francisco State University is $6,084, which is $25,836 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,168.

In 2024, 63% of undergraduate students attending San Francisco State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 23% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,084

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at San Francisco State University was $6,084. The cost of tuition at San Francisco State University is $−25,836 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of San Francisco State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,168

2024 Value

1.39%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 San Francisco State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,168. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of San Francisco State University grew by 1.39%.

This chart compares the average net price of San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$18,693

Room and Board

$1,099

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at San Francisco State University was of $18,693 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 1.17% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,099. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at San Francisco State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

63%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

23%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

63% of undergraduate students at San Francisco State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 63% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

San Francisco State University received 28,221 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 5.55% annual growth. Out of those 28,221 applicants, 27,215 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 96.4% acceptance rate.

There were 22,563 students enrolled at San Francisco State University in 2024. 89% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

San Francisco State University has an overall enrollment yield of 8.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

96.4%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

27,215

Accepted Out of 28,221

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of San Francisco State University was 96.4% (27,215 admissions from 28,221 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 96.1%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 5.55%, while admissions declined by 5.26%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

89%

Submission Percentage (2020)

2,467

Scores Submitted (2020)

89% of enrolled first-time students at San Francisco State University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

San Francisco State University had a total enrollment of 22,563 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at San Francisco State University is 17,419 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,144. This means that 77.2% of students enrolled at San Francisco State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at San Francisco State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 37% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 16% White, 6.19% Black or African American, 5.89% Two or More Races, 0.558% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.168% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at San Francisco State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (24.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (15.9%) and Asian Male (12.1%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (18.1%), followed by White Female (16.8%) and Asian Female (12.8%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

77.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at San Francisco State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22,563 students. The full-time enrollment at San Francisco State University is 17,419 and the part-time enrollment is 5,144. This means that 77.2% of students enrolled at San Francisco State University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at San Francisco State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

83%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at San Francisco State University was 83%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), San Francisco State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at San Francisco State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

Hispanic or Latino
8,341 enrolled students
Asian
5,075 enrolled students
White
3,621 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at San Francisco State University is 37% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 16% White, 6.19% Black or African American, 5.89% Two or More Races, 0.558% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.168% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,487 students (6.59%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 993 more women than men received degrees from San Francisco State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino (2,121 degrees awarded). There were 1.29 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,643 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at San Francisco State University is General Business Administration & Management (980 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (452 degrees) and Computer Science (369 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at San Francisco State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Cultural & Gender Studies (89 degrees awarded), English (197 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (581 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Physicians

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Physicians (422,761 people), Other managers (382,161 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (293,405 people), Postsecondary teachers (261,618 people), and Secondary school teachers (202,392 people).

The most specialized majors at San Francisco State University in 2024 are Cultural & Gender Studies (89 degrees awarded), English (197 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (581 degrees), Communications (371 degrees), and Biology (438 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Surgeons, Logisticians, Economists, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Media and communication workers, all other

The most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Cultural & Gender Studies (89 degrees awarded), English (197 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (581 degrees), Communications (371 degrees), and Biology (438 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Elementary & secondary schools (743,128 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (666,934 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (632,503 people), Computer Systems Design (318,698 people), and Offices of physicians (222,394 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by San Francisco State University.

Most Common (2024)

General Business Administration & Management
980 degrees awarded
General Psychology
452 degrees awarded
Computer Science
369 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at San Francisco State University was General Business Administration & Management with 980 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at San Francisco State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,701

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

3,694

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 2,701 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University, which is 0.731 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,694).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at San Francisco State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 581 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.26 times more than the 462 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 462 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.795 times less than the 581 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

27%

100% Completion Time

55%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 27% of students graduating from San Francisco State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 55% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 58% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (65.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at San Francisco State University is Female and Asian (65.3% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.78% of graduates (57 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

Hispanic or Latino
2,121 degrees awarded
Asian
1,643 degrees awarded
White
1,324 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino (2,121 degrees awarded). There were 1.29 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,643 degrees).

3.8% of degree recipients (243 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

Hispanic or Latino Female
1,560 degrees awarded
White Female
1,557 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
1,441 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino female (1,560 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,557 degrees).

Operations

San Francisco State University has an endowment valued at nearly $176M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 20.6M (11.7%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, San Francisco State University had a total salary expenditure of 647M. San Francisco State University employs 321 Professors, 185 Associate professors and 137 Assistant professors. Most academics at San Francisco State University are Female Professor (168), Male Professor (153), and Female Associate professor (110).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at San Francisco State University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 528 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 241 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 155 employees.

Endowment

$176M

2024 Endowment

8.35%

growth from 2023

San Francisco State University has an endowment valued at about $176M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of San Francisco State University grew 8.35% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $76.5M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at San Francisco State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$25.5M - Federal
$4.63M - State
$37.3k - Local

As of 2024, San Francisco State University received $25.5M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $4.63M from state grants and contracts, and $37.3k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$254M

2024 Salaries

6.85%

growth from 2023

In 2024, San Francisco State University paid a median of $254M in salaries, which represents 39.3% of their overall expenditure ($647M) and a 6.85% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.58% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.52% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$92M

Instructional Salaries

756

Number of Employees

In 2024, San Francisco State University paid a total of $92M to 756 employees working as instructors, which represents 36.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at San Francisco State University were Business and Financial Operations with 528 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 241 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 155 employees.

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