University of San Francisco: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

San Francisco, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2024-2025

  • Test-optional
  • Early Decision
  • Early Action
24,888
Applicants
15,358
Admitted62%
920
Enrolled
6%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Moderately selective62% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1300
Mid 50: 1200–1380
In-state tuition
$61,720
per year, before aid (CDS 2024-2025)
Net price (avg)
$41,431
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #116 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #129 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #55 (tie), Computer Science #155 (tie), Nursing #19 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by University of San Francisco (see the source), read on 2026-09-07. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.

Is University of San Francisco a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

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 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.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
20.6%
3.75–3.99
24.2%
3.50–3.74
19.2%
3.25–3.49
15.9%
3.00–3.24
11.6%
2.50–2.99
8.3%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of San Francisco.

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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

Very Important

2
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA

Important

3
  • Application essay
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work

Considered

9
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • First generation status
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Not Considered

4
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

How University of San Francisco reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1200
50th percentile1300
75th percentile1380
% submitting SAT12.39%
ACT Composite
25th percentile25
50th percentile28
75th percentile30
% submitting ACT2.61%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional; self-reported scores accepted. USF recommends sending scores only if above its class average.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of San Francisco's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

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 class44%
Top 25% of class75%
Top 50% of class92%
% submitting class rank28.26%

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, and that is 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
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need71%
Average need-based grant$39,952
Average merit award, no financial need271 first-year students received one$25,966
Graduates who borrowed48%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$38,127
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of San Francisco

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 15
Notification dateMarch 15
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
ED acceptance rate49%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 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

Freshman retention
83.7%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
62.67%
finished on time
6-year graduation
69.93%
finished within 6 years

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

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing247$149,741
Psychology, General150$63,533
Business Administration, Management and Operations125$104,526
Marketing110$91,873
Finance and Financial Management Services109$107,184
Biology, General104$71,657
Communication and Media Studies76$66,922
Computer Science76$149,331
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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

Total offenses
45
8.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
5
0.95 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
7
1.32 per 1,000
Burglary
7
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 5,287 enrolled.

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.

Live on campus
62%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
43%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
0%
of course sections
In fraternities
2%
of men
In sororities
6%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of San Francisco.

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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 for Fall 2027 applicants, 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