San Francisco State University (SFSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About San Francisco State University
Set on the city's fog-kissed western edge, San Francisco State is known for hands-on learning across liberal arts, sciences, arts and media, business, and public service. It's home to the first College of Ethnic Studies in the country, and that ethic of equity shapes classes and campus conversations. Students describe the vibe as diverse, grounded, and curious, with real-world work folded into coursework. It feels a little scrappy, in the best way.
You get a library, studios and labs, a student center, and a recreation complex, plus advising, tutoring, counseling, career services. Clubs span cultural groups, service teams, student media, theater, and coastal hikes. The city becomes a lab for internships with firms, agencies, and nonprofits, with alumni opening doors. Notable alumni include Danny Glover and Annette Bening.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
San Francisco State University (SFSU) offers 101 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 6,364 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (5 programs, 1,114 graduates), Arts (13 programs, 581 graduates), Health (5 programs, 519 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 491 graduates) and Education (10 programs, 452 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (5 programs, 1,114 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 1,043 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Management Science | 26 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Accounting | 24 |
|
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Hospitality Management | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Labor Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1004 |
Arts (13 programs, 581 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film and Media Studies | 192 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0601 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 108 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0401 |
| Art Studies | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Interior Design | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Theatre Arts | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0404 |
| Studio Arts, General | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Music | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Music Performance | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 13 |
|
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Art History and Conservation | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Applied Arts and Design | 7 |
|
Master's
|
50.0499 |
| Dance | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
Health (5 programs, 519 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 208 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Public Health | 142 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Physical Therapy | 94 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0201 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 12 |
|
Master's
|
51.1508 |
Psychology (3 programs, 491 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 475 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Experimental Psychology | 10 |
|
Master's
|
42.2799 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 6 |
|
Master's
|
42.2804 |
Education (10 programs, 452 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 210 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| General Education | 60 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 50 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 46 |
|
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 45 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 29 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Community College Administration | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0407 |
| Foundations of Education | 2 |
|
Master's
|
13.0901 |
| Instructional Technology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Technology and Industrial Arts Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1309 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 438 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 388 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 8 |
|
Master's
|
26.0102 |
Social Sciences (9 programs, 432 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 118 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 56 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| International Relations | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Geography | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0701 |
| Anthropology | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 13 |
|
Master's
|
45.0603 |
| Urban Studies and Affairs | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1201 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 4 |
|
Master's
|
45.0702 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 410 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 410 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0701 |
Communication (3 programs, 371 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 222 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0101 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 113 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0701 |
| Journalism | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
Engineering (5 programs, 234 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1901 |
| Civil Engineering | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0801 |
| Computer Engineering | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1001 |
| General Engineering | 17 |
|
Master's
|
14.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at San Francisco State University (SFSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about San Francisco State University (SFSU)
How much does it cost to attend San Francisco State University (SFSU)?
The annual tuition at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is $7,424 for in-state students and $19,304 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $30,456 for in-state students and $42,336 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,955 (on) / $19,431 (off) and books and supplies $1,099.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does San Francisco State University offer?
San Francisco State University (SFSU) offers 101 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (13 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (5 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (10 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University (SFSU) has an 96.1% acceptance rate and a 10.4% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 29,878
- Students admitted: 28,727
- Students enrolled: 2,985
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at San Francisco State University?
San Francisco State University (SFSU) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,498 and average loans of $5,533.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,813
- State/Local grants: $3,898
- Institutional grants: $5,859
- Federal loans: $4,980
The university supports 2,349 students with grants and 953 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for San Francisco State University graduates?
San Francisco State University (SFSU) graduates earn a median salary of $52,650 after 6 years and $68,077 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $38,781 (25th percentile) to $100,910 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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