San Francisco State University
#2 Best Education Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $68,077 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $12,278 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 38.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $38.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Education Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $38.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,862,110.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 67% more than the national college median.
-
Social mobility rate of 3.50% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $38.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why San Francisco State University Matters
San Francisco State University is a public research university in San Francisco, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 18,639
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose San Francisco State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,278 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $68,077 ten years after enrolling — 67% above the typical college, against $15,371 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 6% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
San Francisco State University has a remarkable acceptance rate of 96%. This means that nearly all applicants receive an offer to join the university. With an enrollment of over 18,600 students, it creates a diverse and vibrant campus community in the heart of San Francisco.
The college experience at San Francisco State can lead to significant earnings after graduation. Graduates earn an average of $68,077 within ten years of completing their degree. While the graduation rate sits at 50%, many students benefit from financial support, with 42% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. This financial aid can be crucial for students from lower-income backgrounds seeking upward mobility.
In terms of cost, the net price for attending San Francisco State is $12,278, and the median debt for graduates is $15,371. The combination of affordability and earning potential makes this university appealing to students who are ready to engage in programs like Business, Psychology, and Health Professions. Those who thrive here are likely to be motivated individuals looking to take advantage of the urban setting and diverse opportunities available.
Rankings
- #2 Best Education Colleges in California
- #2 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California
- #3 Best Online Colleges in California
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in California
- #4 Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions
- #6 Best MBA Programs in California
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #9 Best Psychology Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective San Francisco State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into San Francisco State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in San Francisco, California, San Francisco State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,199
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.75
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
- Applicants
- 29,932
- Admitted
- 28,195
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend San Francisco State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Francisco State University is $20,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,278. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,341 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,371 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,950
- Out-of-State
- $20,550
- Avg Net Price
- $12,278
- Median Debt
- $15,371
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 23%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,341
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,867
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,825
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,523
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at San Francisco State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is San Francisco State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Francisco State University earn a median of $68,077, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,650
- 8 Years
- $60,831
- 10 Years
- $68,077
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.23x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (903)
- 25%
- 100% (903)
- 25%
- 100% (903)
- 25%
- 100% (903)
- 25%
How San Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is San Francisco State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, San Francisco State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,278/year ($49,112 total). Graduates earn $68,077 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,911,222 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,862,110 (38.9× your investment). The median debt is $15,371, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,112
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,911,222
- Net Return
- $1,862,110
- ROI Multiple
- 38.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,278
- Median Debt
- $15,371
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does San Francisco State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Francisco State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.50%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.50%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,474
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-12,526,618
Top Programs
The fields San Francisco State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $63,234 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 11% $49,166 early-career
- Psychology 9% $40,559 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $52,608 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $132,803 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $51,377 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $81,390 early-career
- Communications 6% $52,206 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for San Francisco State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into San Francisco State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in San Francisco, California, San Francisco State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend San Francisco State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Francisco State University is $20,550, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,278. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,341 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,371 in federal student loans.
Is San Francisco State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Francisco State University earn a median of $68,077, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does San Francisco State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Francisco State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.50%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is San Francisco State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at San Francisco State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to San Francisco State University.
- California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · Close peer54% grad $62,908 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-ChicoChico, CA · Close peer63% grad $64,172 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · Close peer56% grad $64,876 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-FresnoFresno, CA · Close peer56% grad $61,244 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- California State University-East BayHayward, CA · Close peer47% grad $71,401 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL · Close peer61% grad $68,740 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is San Francisco State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at San Francisco State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note