San Francisco State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Francisco, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, California that admits about 96% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $12,278 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, San Francisco State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 96%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,278 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores San Francisco State University typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
How much does San Francisco State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,950 for in-state students and $20,550 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $22,266 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,278 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 42% of students receive Pell Grants.
Most popular majors at San Francisco State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at San Francisco State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, San Francisco State University confers roughly 3,381 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $79,995 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,314 | $79,995 |
| Psychology, General | 398 | $60,290 |
| Biology, General | 362 | $67,380 |
| Computer Science | 293 | $112,049 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 266 | $64,458 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 264 | $69,437 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 258 | $58,169 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 226 | $48,379 |
Is San Francisco State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), San Francisco State University disclosed 66 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 7 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-Long Beach46% acceptance
- California State University-Fullerton91% acceptance
- California State University-Northridge93% acceptance
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo31% acceptance
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona75% acceptance
- California State University-Los Angeles91% acceptance
- California State University-Fresno95% acceptance
- California State University-Sacramento94% acceptance
Next steps for San Francisco State University
Common questions parents ask about San Francisco State University
What GPA do I need for San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does San Francisco State University typically admit?
San Francisco State University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does San Francisco State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at San Francisco State University after grants and scholarships is $12,278 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,950 and $20,550 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is San Francisco State University realistic for my child?
San Francisco State University admits 96% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $12,278 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University accepts about 96% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is San Francisco State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California.
What are the most popular majors at San Francisco State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at San Francisco State University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Biology, General. The school awards about 3,381 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is San Francisco State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
San Francisco State University reported 66 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by San Francisco State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers