SF State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially San Francisco State University · San Francisco, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #227 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #199 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #44 (tie), Computer Science #193 (tie), Nursing #94 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by San Francisco State University.
Is SF State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places SF State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
SF State 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.
SF State is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, SF State 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 SF State?
SF State 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.
Compare SF State with the other schools on your list
Open SF State in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores SF State typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: SF State does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU campus: SAT/ACT not used for admission; scores may be reported only for course placement. Admission based on A-G GPA.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on SF State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does SF State 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, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 42% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,278 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at SF State
The most popular undergraduate programs at SF State, 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, SF State 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 SF State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), SF State 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 SF State
Common questions parents ask about SF State
What GPA do I need for SF State?
SF State 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 SF State typically admit?
SF State is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does SF State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at SF State 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 SF State realistic for my child?
SF State 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 SF State?
SF State accepts about 96% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is SF State test-optional?
SF State is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is SF State a public or private school, and where is it located?
SF State is a public institution located in San Francisco, California.
What are the most popular majors at SF State?
The largest undergraduate majors at SF State 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 SF State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
SF State 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