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San Francisco State University: Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses
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Last updated on 27 Nov '25
About San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University (SFSU) is among the 23 universities in the California State University system. The university acceptance rate is 91%, which means 91 out of 100 students, making the university moderately selective.
Some important things to know about San Francisco State University is mentioned below
| Particulars | Validations |
|---|---|
| SFSU Acceptance Rate | 91% |
| SFSU Public or Private | Public |
| SFSU Total student enrollment | 23,700+ |
| SFSU Ranking | #178 |
| SFSU IELTS score | 6.0 |
| SFSU top 5 courses |
Journalism Creative Writing Science Business Health Professions |
Students can also read the Study Guide to the USA for International Students 2024
San Francisco State University Ranking 2026
San Francisco State University is a globally ranked university. According to the Shiksha Popularity Ranking, San Francisco State University ranking is #255 at the national level.
The university is also ranked by QS at #1401 in 2026 for the World University Ranking category, showing a declining trend this year when compared with the previous year. In 2025, this ranking was recorded as #1201. San Francisco State University is well-ranked at the national level.
The course ranking for BBA according to Shiksha Popularity Ranking stands at #190 in 2025. Shiksha Popularity Ranking is a ranking system that simplifies your journey of choosing the best university for studying abroad. It aggregates the ranks of some of the top-ranking bodies with a clear number nationally, both at the university and course levels.
#881
#252
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Some of the Business and Management course rankings at San Francisco State University based on the US News and World Report are given as follows:
| Year | US News and World Report- UG Business |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 172 |
| 2020 | 167 |
| 2021 | 180 |
| 2022 | 166 |
| 2023 | 190 |
SFSU Programs
San Francisco State University offers 94 master's degrees, 118 bachelor's degrees, 26 teaching credentials, and 5 doctoral degrees. Some of the popular courses at the university are Business and Management; Marketing; Health Professions; Social Services and Visual Performing Arts. The MBA Flagship Program at the university has a duration between 12 to 18 Months. Some of the specializations of the MBA course are given as follows:
- Business Analytics
- Business Administration
- Quantitative Economics
- Accountancy
The School of Engineering at the university offers the S-Smart Summer Research Internship Program along with a compensation of 348,511.43?.
Also read: Study in USA - Colleges, Eligibility & Scholarships
The pie chart given below offers information about the various programs offered by San Francisco State University
Note: The 'Others' in the pie chart refers to popular courses such as Organizational leadership, Economics, International Business, Political Science and Government, etc
3.8(1)12 months - 2 years
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
San Francisco State University Admission 2026
Students seeking admission to San Francisco State University have to fill the online application form, submit mandatory documents and pay the application fee. San Francisco State University accepts some exam scores at the time of admission, including English language exams. Some of the exam scores that Indian students have to submit for admission are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GRE and GMAT. The documents that have to be submitted are SOP, LOR and CV.
- Application fees :USD 70
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
San Francisco State UniversitySFSU Scholarships 2025
The Office of Student Financial Aid at SFSU recognizes the limited number of scholarships that are specifically for international students attending San Francisco State University. You need to search for the list of scholarships available for international students at SFSU's official website and apply for the ones that do not specifically state that you must be a United States citizen or permanent resident. Some of the scholarships offered to international students are given as follows:
- David Goldstein Memorial Scholarship in Paralegal Studies
- Amy Love Memorial Scholarship
- Alexandra Laboutin Bannon Scholarship
- Early Childhood Special Education Scholarship
Students can check the Scholarships in the USA for Indian Students
San Francisco State University Popular Courses
18 monthsSan Francisco State UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
2 Verified Reviews- 0% students never faced discrimination in this university
SFSU Placements
San Francisco State University focuses on Career and Leadership Development to help students and alumni in achieving their career goals. Some of the services offered to the students are as follows:
- Resume and Cover Letter writing
- Leadership Development
- Interview Preparation
- Building Connections
- Events, Workshops and Fairs
- On-Campus and Off-Campus Internships
According to official data, San Francisco State University has a six-year graduation rate of 55%.
Some of the organizations in which the graduates of San Francisco University are employed are TikTok, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Adobe, Meta, and others. The sectors in which graduates of SF State University are employed are Business Development, Operations, Education, Marketing, Human Resources, and many more.
The pie chart given below provides information on the various sectors in which the graduates of SF State University are employed
Note: The 'Others' in the pie chart refers to some other placement opportunities such as Consulting, Research, Finance, etc
Students can check the Internships and Jobs in the USA 2024
Popular Job Sectors in the USA for International Students 2024
San Francisco State University Fees
Studying at San Francisco State University can be considered affordable for Indian students, as the first-year San Francisco State University fee for UG courses is around INR 18 L and INR 11 L - 25 L for PG courses
Cost of Living
| Expenses | On Campus | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | USD 17,010 | INR 14.4 L |
| Food | USD 5,256 | INR 4.4 L |
| Books and Supplies | USD 1,100 | INR 93.6 K |
| Transportation | USD 1,512 | INR 1.2 L |
| Personal Expenses | USD 3,222 | INR 2.7 L |
| TOTAL | USD 28,100 | INR 23.9 L |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(17 courses) | INR 13 L - 26 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 80 - 88, PTE: 59 - 65, Duolingo: 120 & Above, GRE: 304 & Above, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(6 courses) | INR 17 L - 26 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12-36 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 - 88, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above, GMAT, GRE |
BHM(2 courses) | INR 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 61 & Above, PTE: 45 & Above, Duolingo |
B.E. / B.Tech(7 courses) | INR 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 61 & Above, PTE: 45 & Above, Duolingo |
BBA(3 courses) | INR 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 61 & Above, PTE: 45 & Above, Duolingo |
MPA(1 course) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
B.A.(24 courses) | INR 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 61 & Above, PTE: 45 & Above, Duolingo |
B.Sc.(10 courses) | INR 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 61 & Above, PTE: 45 & Above, Duolingo |
M.A.(24 courses) | INR 11 L - 19 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
Others PG(5 courses) | INR 13 L - 20 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
International applicants need to score a 3.0 or higher GPA for getting into SFSU. Candidates are expected to have an above-average GPA to meet the GPA requirements of SFSU. International undergraduates applying for admission at San Francisco State University should keep this application checklist handy:
Students are required to submit a minimum score of 120. Students must aim to submit much more than the required limit. As per Duolingo, international students must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, TOEFL and PTE. The minimum score required for all the mentioned tests is given below:
San Francisco State UniversityStudent profile
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
San Francisco State University Notable Alumni
San Francisco State University has 130,000+ alumni members in the world who have earned degrees from the university. Some notable alumni members at San Francisco State University are mentioned below-
| Name | Profession | Pictures |
|---|---|---|
| David Carradine | TV Actor |
 |
| Kirk Hammett | Guitarist |
 |
| Johnny Mathis | Recording Artist |
 |
| Harry Shum | Film Actor and Dancer |
 |
| Anne Rice | Screenwriter |
 |
College comparison
Compare San Francisco State University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 13.06 L - 26.26 L | #208 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 12.39 L - 27.23 L | #1279 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 11.64 L - 18.41 L | #139 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 10.94 L - 20.17 L | #1542 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 13.31 L - 19.65 L | #847 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 13.48 L - 20.31 L | -/- |
CompareStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
Yes, Shiksha Counselling can guide students on document preparation and visa interview. Basically, while accessing the Shiksha counselling services, students are guided from initial college selection all the way up to get a successful student visa. Students will be assigned a dedicated counsellor who will remain in touch throughout the entire admission process.
SFSU Campus Life
San Francisco State University Campus offers more than 200 organizations for students to get actively involved in.
Some of the housing options at San Francisco State University are given as follows:
- Mary Park Hall
- Mary Ward Hall
- Towers at Centennial Square
- Towers Junior Suites
- Manzanita Square
- University Park North
- University Park South
Commonly asked questions On Others
To ensure that the students at San Frnacisco University enjoy their time at the University, SFSU offers the students with multiple extracurricular activities to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the students. SF State University offers more than 200 organizations namely Philosophy, Political, Religious, Cutural, Greek, Academic, and lots more. Additional SFSU has multiple sport programs for students to actively participate in. Some of the sports programs offered by the University include Baseball, Mens and Women's Basketballm Men's and Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Field and Track, and many more. Additionally, the university also offers Campus Recreation Department which is a department incorporating transformative activities, and other wellness and health activities.
SF State University offers on campus housing facilities to students to offer them with supportive environement and enhance the overall experience at university. The on campus housing offers students with facilities such as access to Wi Fi furniture and classes library bookstore and main campus are just few minutes away. Some housing options offered by university include halls such as West Grove Commons, Mary Park Hall & Mary Ward Hall, along with suite options such as Tower Junior Suites, and apartments such as Village at Centennial Square, Manzanita Square, University Park North, and others.
To know more about the housing facilities and different resident options, visit the University official website
The cost of attendance is USD 29,000 and USD 31,000 approximately for undergraduates and graduate students studying at San Francisco State University. More details are as follows:
Expenses | UG On Campus | PG Off Campus |
|---|---|---|
Tuition Fee (7 Units /Greater) | USD 7,522 | USD 8,956 |
Books and Supplies | USD 1,099 | USD 1,099 |
Food and Housing | USD 17,955 | USD 18,999 |
Personal Expenses | USD 2,196 | USD 2,736 |
Transportation | USD 351 | USD 1,467 |
Total Cost | USD 29,123 | USD 33,257 |
SFSU Vs San Jose Vs Arizona State University
SFSU, San Jose State University, and ASU are one of the top-ranked universities of USA.
| University Name | Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | #231 in the USA |
| San Jose State University | #402 in the USA |
| Arizona State University | #45 in the USA |
Commonly asked questions On Additional Details 1
San Francisco State University and Arizona State University are one of the top-ranked public universities of USA. San Francisco State University ranked #178 in 2024 among the National Univeristies according to the top-ranking publishers whereas, Arizona University ranked #105 hence securing a higher ranking than SFSU. Shiksha Study Abroad grading system has graded SFSU an overall grade of B and Arizona State University was graded an overall A. To determine which university is better there are multiple factors that need to be taken into consideration such as the tuition fee, programs offered, location, housing facilities, campus life, overall expenses, scholarships, and placements offered and many more.
San Francisco State University FAQs
The first-year tuition fees for international students at San Francisco State University are given as follows:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (6 courses) | INR 13 L - INR 19 L |
BE/BTech (7 courses) | INR 13 L - INR 16 L |
MS (12 courses) | INR 11 L - INR 14 L |
MS4 (23 courses) | INR 10 L - INR 18 L |
MIM (5 courses) | INR 13 L - INR 19 L |
San Francisco State University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 months ago
SFSU offers an MS in Business Analytics program which trains students in techniques and systems that support data informed businessrelated decisions across various sectors like business government and semi government. The graduates of the program are well prepared for roles like Business Analysts Da
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
SFSU offers an MS in Data Science and AI program designed to teach students the fundamentals of computer science, statistics, machine learning, and AI theory and its application. Graduates of this course are well prepared for roles like Data Scientists, AI Engineers, or Machine Learning Specialists.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
San Francisco State University expects a minimum GPA of 2 out of 4 from UG international students.
. Whereas the minimum GPA needed for postgraduate programs is around 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher, with a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. The university also considers other factors such as
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
SFSU offers various courses to students according to their interests and career goals. Some of the most chosen programs by Indians are given below
Film and Media Studies
Communication/Speech and Rhetoric
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
Ethnic Studies
Early Childhood Education
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
SFSU offers an MS in Computer Science programme where students are taught about the different aspects of System theory and Software Development, which includes both research and project components for more practical learning in technical and communication skills. Graduates from this programme are we
S
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
San Francisco State University
University Entrance
SF State Building
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State UniversityLocation
| University City | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 8,84,363 |
San Francisco State UniversityCampuses
1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132
Visit official siteSan Francisco State UniversityContact Information
1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
San Francisco ( California)
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