San Francisco State University Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

San Francisco, CA · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$7,950
Out-of-State Tuition$20,550
Acceptance Rate96%
Average SATNot published

San Francisco State University vs. State and National Averages

San Francisco State UniversityCA AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$7,950$16,639$18,082
vs. average—-52%-56%

Other colleges in San Francisco

CollegeTypeUndergraduatesTuition
University of San FranciscoPrivate nonprofit5,287$60,492
California College of the ArtsPrivate nonprofit990$60,226
San Francisco Conservatory of MusicPrivate nonprofit226$56,150
Academy of Art UniversityPrivate for-profit3,587$30,736
Minerva UniversityPrivate nonprofit637$23,630

Tuition shown is in-state tuition for schools that report one, otherwise the published tuition for the school's largest program. Source: College Scorecard.

Outcomes and student profile at San Francisco State University

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$68,077
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)50%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$15,371
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants42%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over18%
First-generation students48%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at San Francisco State University?

In-state tuition at San Francisco State University is $7,950 and out-of-state tuition is $20,550, according to College Scorecard data.

What is the acceptance rate at San Francisco State University?

The acceptance rate at San Francisco State University is 96%.

How hard is it to get into San Francisco State University?

With an acceptance rate of 96%, San Francisco State University is moderately selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for San Francisco State University?

College Scorecard does not publish an average SAT score for San Francisco State University. Schools without a published figure are usually test-optional, open-admission, or they do not report test scores to the federal survey.

How big is San Francisco State University?

San Francisco State University enrolls about 18,639 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 19:1.

Is San Francisco State University expensive?

In-state tuition at San Francisco State University is $7,950, which is 52% below the CA average of $16,639.

How much do graduates of San Francisco State University earn?

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at San Francisco State University are $68,077 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at San Francisco State University take on?

The median debt among San Francisco State University graduates who borrowed is $15,371, according to College Scorecard.