San Francisco State University

www.sfsu.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$5,742

2021 Average Net Price

$13,641

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

1.9%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

92.9%

27,777 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

26,899

77.6% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

53.7%

2,192 Graduates

About

San Francisco State University is a higher education institution located in San Francisco County, CA. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at San Francisco State University were General Business Administration & Management (1,521 degrees awarded), General Psychology (429 degrees), and General Biological Sciences (348 degrees).

In 2021, 7,889 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at San Francisco State University. 59.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (2,249 degrees), 1.07 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2,093 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at San Francisco State University is $5,742, which is $−23,250 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

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Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at San Francisco State University is $5,742, which is $−23,250 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,641.

In 2021, 60% of undergraduate students attending San Francisco State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 23% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$5,742

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at San Francisco State University was $5,742. The cost of tuition at San Francisco State University is $−23,250 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of San Francisco State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,641

2021 Value

7.56%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 San Francisco State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,641. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of San Francisco State University grew by 7.56%.

This chart compares the average net price of San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,935

Room and Board

$1,038

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at San Francisco State University was of $16,935 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 8.07% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,038. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 48.2% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at San Francisco State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

60%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

23%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

60% of undergraduate students at San Francisco State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 1.64% with respect to 2020, when 61% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

1.9%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at San Francisco State University was 1.9%, which represents 93 out of the 4896 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

San Francisco State University received 27,777 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 11.6% annual growth. Out of those 27,777 applicants, 25,809 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 92.9% acceptance rate.

There were 26,899 students enrolled at San Francisco State University in 2021. 89% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

San Francisco State University has an overall enrollment yield of 12.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

92.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

25,809

Accepted Out of 27,777

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of San Francisco State University was 92.9% (25,809 admissions from 27,777 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 84.1%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 11.6%, while admissions declined by −2.35%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of San Francisco State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

89%

Submission Percentage (2020)

2,467

Scores Submitted (2020)

89% of enrolled first-time students at San Francisco State University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

San Francisco State University had a total enrollment of 26,899 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at San Francisco State University is 20,865 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,034. This means that 77.6% of students enrolled at San Francisco State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at San Francisco State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 34.3% Hispanic or Latino, 24% Asian, 17.3% White, 5.6% Black or African American, 5.15% Two or More Races, 0.621% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.167% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at San Francisco State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (23.4%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (14%) and Asian Female (12.7%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (21.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (15.3%) and Asian Female (13.6%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

77.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at San Francisco State University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 26,899 students. The full-time enrollment at San Francisco State University is 20,865 and the part-time enrollment is 6,034. This means that 77.6% of students enrolled at San Francisco State University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at San Francisco State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

85%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at San Francisco State University was 85%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), San Francisco State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at San Francisco State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
9,232 enrolled students
Asian
6,457 enrolled students
White
4,653 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at San Francisco State University is 34.3% Hispanic or Latino, 24% Asian, 17.3% White, 5.6% Black or African American, 5.15% Two or More Races, 0.621% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.167% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,582 students (5.88%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 1,537 more women than men received degrees from San Francisco State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino (2,249 degrees awarded). There were 1.07 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2093 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at San Francisco State University is General Business Administration & Management (1,521 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (429 degrees) and General Biological Sciences (348 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at San Francisco State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Cultural & Gender Studies (114 degrees awarded), Communications (598 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (646 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (277,549 people), Other managers (257,442 people), Postsecondary teachers (164,025 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (139,520 people), and Secondary school teachers (139,397 people).

The most specialized majors at San Francisco State University in 2021 are Cultural & Gender Studies (114 degrees awarded), Communications (598 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (646 degrees), English (233 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (274 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Surgeons, Media and communication workers, all other, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Cultural & Gender Studies (114 degrees awarded), Communications (598 degrees), Visual & Performing Arts (646 degrees), English (233 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (274 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at San Francisco State University are Elementary & secondary schools (611,618 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (407,257 people), Computer Systems Design (214,737 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (197,222 people), and Advertising, public relations & related services (141,409 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by San Francisco State University.

Most Common (2021)

General Business Administration & Management
1,521 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
429 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
348 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at San Francisco State University was General Business Administration & Management with 1,521 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at San Francisco State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

3,176

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

4,713

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 3,176 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University, which is 0.674 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,713).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at San Francisco State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 869 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.19 times more than the 730 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 730 degrees were awarded to men at San Francisco State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.84 times less than the 869 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

22%

100% Completion Time

57%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 22% of students graduating from San Francisco State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 57% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 60% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (75%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at San Francisco State University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (75% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.92% of graduates (64 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Hispanic or Latino
2,249 degrees awarded
Asian
2,093 degrees awarded
White
1,702 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino (2,249 degrees awarded). There were 1.07 times more hispanic or latino recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2093 degrees).

5.02% of degree recipients (396 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

Hispanic or Latino Female
1,441 degrees awarded
Asian Female
1,167 degrees awarded
White Female
1,013 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at San Francisco State University is hispanic or latino female (1,441 degrees awarded). There were 1.23 times more hispanic or latino female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian female (1167 degrees).

Operations

San Francisco State University has an endowment valued at nearly $182M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 13M (7.15%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, San Francisco State University had a total salary expenditure of 598M. San Francisco State University employs 345 Professors, 186 Lecturers and 172 Associate professors. Most academics at San Francisco State University are Male Professor (176), Female Professor (169), and Female Assistant professor (109).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at San Francisco State University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 506 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 205 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 162 employees.

Endowment

$182M

2021 Endowment

30.1%

growth from 2020

San Francisco State University has an endowment valued at about $182M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of San Francisco State University grew 30.1% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $206M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at San Francisco State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$21.9M - Federal
$2.15M - State
$777k - Local

As of 2021, San Francisco State University received $21.9M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $2.15M from state grants and contracts, and $777k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$218M

2021 Salaries

5.82%

decline from 2020

In 2021, San Francisco State University paid a median of $218M in salaries, which represents 36.4% of their overall expenditure ($598M) and a 5.82% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$85.6M

Instructional Salaries

866

Number of Employees

In 2021, San Francisco State University paid a total of $85.6M to 866 employees working as instructors, which represents 39.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

345 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

506 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at San Francisco State University were Professor with 345 employees, Lecturer with 186 employees, and Associate professor with 172 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at San Francisco State University were Business and Financial Operations with 506 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 205 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 162 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at San Francisco State University was Male Professor with 176 employees, Female Professor with 169 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 109 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at San Francisco State University.