University of San Francisco: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Francisco, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of San Francisco is a private nonprofit university in San Francisco, California that admits about 62% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $41,431 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 70% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of San Francisco is a private institution located in San Francisco, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of San Francisco admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 62%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1300 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $41,431 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of San Francisco right now
What GPA does my child need for University of San Francisco?
64% of enrolled students at University of San Francisco had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of San Francisco weight in admissions?
University of San Francisco reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores University of San Francisco typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 645. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–30. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1200 |
| 50th percentile | 1300 |
| 75th percentile | 1380 |
| % submitting SAT | 12.39% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 28 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
| % submitting ACT | 2.61% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 44% |
| Top 25% of class | 75% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
| % submitting class rank | 28.26% |
How much does University of San Francisco actually cost?
Published tuition is $60,492 for in-state students and $60,492 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,764 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $41,431 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $61,720 |
| Room and board | $18,490 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $41,431 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of San Francisco
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
| Notification date | March 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 49% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of San Francisco?
These predict outcomes at University of San Francisco better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of San Francisco
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of San Francisco, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, University of San Francisco confers roughly 997 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $149,741 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 247 | $149,741 |
| Psychology, General | 150 | $63,533 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 125 | $104,526 |
| Marketing | 110 | $91,873 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 109 | $107,184 |
| Biology, General | 104 | $71,657 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 76 | $66,922 |
| Computer Science | 76 | $149,331 |
Is University of San Francisco safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of San Francisco disclosed 45 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of San Francisco?
About 62% of undergraduates at University of San Francisco live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 6% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- Pepperdine University63% acceptance
- Chapman University65% acceptance
- Saint Mary's College of California87% acceptance
- California State University-Chico93% acceptance
- Sonoma State University93% acceptance
- California State University-East Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
Next steps for University of San Francisco
Common questions parents ask about University of San Francisco
What GPA do I need for University of San Francisco?
64% of enrolled students at University of San Francisco had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.62, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of San Francisco typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 645. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–30.
How much does University of San Francisco actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of San Francisco after grants and scholarships is $41,431 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $60,492. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of San Francisco realistic for my child?
University of San Francisco admits 62% of applicants, so 580–690 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $41,431 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco accepts about 62% of applicants out of roughly 24,888 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of San Francisco test-optional?
Yes. University of San Francisco is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of San Francisco?
About 70% of students at University of San Francisco graduate within six years, and 63% finish in four years. 84% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 49%, compared with its overall rate of 62%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does University of San Francisco look for in applicants?
University of San Francisco rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of San Francisco a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of San Francisco is a private nonprofit institution located in San Francisco, California.
What are the most popular majors at University of San Francisco?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of San Francisco by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 997 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of San Francisco safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of San Francisco reported 45 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of San Francisco?
At University of San Francisco, 62% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 6% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of San Francisco, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers