Placement Metric
Highest Package
N/A
Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.
San Francisco State University
7.6(3)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1899
Founded
1899
Type
Public
University Guide
About San Francisco State University
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
San Francisco State University (SFSU) is a public University located in San Francisco, USA. The University has enrolled more than 20000 students across the World. The university offers 148 bachelor’s programs, 108 minors, 104 master’s programs, and 4 doctoral programs to international students. You can choose from 33 certificates and 32 graduate certificate courses in SFSU across numerous disciplines. SFSU ranks #1401+ in the QS World Rankings 2026. The acceptance rate of SFSU is 90%, which makes it quite easy for students to secure admission.
SFSU offers admission in 2 intakes: Fall and Spring. Some of the popular courses offered at SFSU include MBA, MS in Business Analytics, and MS in Computer Science. The PG program fees at San Francisco State University range from USD 9822 to USD 25967 per year (INR 8.71 lakhs to 23.03 Lakhs). Fees for UG programs range from USD 8388 to USD 22946 per year (₹7.43 Lakhs to ₹20.35 Lakhs). The cost of living at SFSU ranges from $37,412 to $ 39110 (INR 33.17 Lakhs to INR 34.70 Lakhs), which includes rent, food, and other personal expenses.
Table of Contents
- San Francisco State University Rankings
- San Francisco State University Application Deadlines
- San Francisco State University Campus
- San Francisco State University Accommodation
- San Francisco State University Courses
- San Francisco State University Application Process
- San Francisco State University Cost of Attendance
- San Francisco State University Scholarships
- San Francisco State University Placements
- FAQs
San Francisco State University Rankings
The rankings of SFSU by different ranking bodies are given below:
| Ranking Source | Category | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. News & World Report (2026) | National Universities | #208 |
| U.S. News & World Report (2026) | Top Public Schools | #115 |
| QS World University Rankings (2026) | Overall Global Ranking | #1401 |
San Francisco State University Application Deadlines
SFSU offers admissions in 2 intakes: Fall and Spring. The deadlines for applying for international students are given below:
| Category | Priority Deadline (Impacted Majors) | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | December 1, 2025 | May 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2026 | August 31, 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
| MBA (Spring 2026) | - | November 1, 2025 |
San Francisco State University Campus
The main campus of San Francisco State University covers 144.1 acres of land in the southwest corner of San Francisco. Other sites of the university include Romberg Tiburon Center, Sierra Nevada Field campus, and the Downtown campus.
The Mashouf Wellness Center is the social hub of the university, offering health, recreation, and wellness programs. There are more than 200 active student clubs and organizations that match a wide variety of interests.
San Francisco State University Accommodation
The on-campus accommodation at San Francisco State University is home to around 3,900 domestic and international students. The university provides housing options to students in the form of residence halls, semi-suites, and apartments. Some of the housing options at the university include Manzanita Square, Towers at Centennial Square, University Park North, Mary Park Hall, Mary Ward Hall, Tower Junior Suites, etc.
Also check Student Accommodation in the USA
San Francisco State University Courses
San Francisco State University offers a variety of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral degrees, credentials, and certificate programs in a number of disciplines. The university offers 148 bachelor’s programs, 108 minors, 104 master’s programs, and 4 doctoral programs to international students.
The University also offers a Doctor of Education degree (Ed D.) with 2 concentrations, a clinical doctorate of physical therapy (D.P.T.), and. a Ph.D. in Education. The most popular undergraduate majors include Business Administration, Computer Science, Biology, English, and Child and Adolescent Development.
San Francisco State University Application Process
San Francisco State University has a moderately selective admission policy. Some programs are considered to be competitive and may have additional requirements for admission. These requirements may include resumes, references, interviews, and others. The University also offers conditional admissions to students who fail to meet the admission requirements. Applicants seeking admission to the San Francisco State University must take note of the following points:
Application Portal: Cal State Apply
Application Fee: 70 USD (INR 6208)
Admission Requirements:
- Transcripts from each institution attended
- Word-to-word certified English translation
- Minimum high school GPA of 2.5/4 (80%)
- English language proficiency test scores
- Scores of exams to study in the U.S.
- Program-specific requirements
The minimum English language proficiency test scores required for admission are as follows:
| Test | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 61 |
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| PTE | 45 |
| SAT | 550 |
| ACT | 22 |
San Francisco State University Cost of Attendance
The cost of studying in the U.S. comprises tuition fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.The table below shows a breakdown of living expenses for international students at SFSU:
| Cost Type | UG Cost (USD) | UG Cost (INR) | PG Cost (USD) | PG Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $8,256 | INR 7.32 Lakhs | $9,870 | INR 8.76 Lakhs |
| Housing | $18,270 | INR 16.21 Lakhs | $18,270 | INR 16.21 Lakhs |
| Food | $5,620 | INR 4.99 Lakhs | $5,620 | INR 4.99 Lakhs |
| Books & Supplies | $1,100 | INR 0.98 Lakhs | $1,100 | INR 0.98 Lakhs |
| Transportation | $1,512 | INR 1.34 Lakhs | $1,512 | INR 1.34 Lakhs |
| Personal Expenses | $2,592 | INR 2.30 Lakhs | $2,592 | INR 2.30 Lakhs |
| Loan Fee | $62 | INR 0.05 Lakhs | $146 | INR 0.13 Lakhs |
| Total Cost | $37,412 | INR 33.20 Lakhs | $39,110 | INR 34.70 Lakhs |
Also check Cost of Living in USA for International Students
San Francisco State University Scholarships
- 66% of the students at San Francisco State University receive some kind of financial aid.
- Several public and private forms of financial aid are available at the university, including scholarships, grants, work study, loans, and others.
- More than 700 scholarship opportunities are available for students at San Francisco State University.
- Scholarships for international students are limited. It is recommended that international students apply for scholarships that do not specifically state that the applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Some of the scholarships offered are given below:
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| New Leader Scholarship | Up to 8,000 USD | Undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.5/4 (90%) majoring in Social Science, Health and Human Services, Public Interest, and Public Service. |
| AAUW SF Jubilee Scholarship | 500-3,000 USD | Awarded to upper-division and graduate school women in the final year of study. |
| Markowski-Leach Scholarship | 2,000 USD | Awarded to full-time students who demonstrate leadership and commitment in service, employment, and scholastics with a minimum GPA of 2.5; Student must self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer. |
Also check List of Popular Scholarships in USA
San Francisco State University Placements
29% of the students graduating from San Francisco State University secure full-time employment within 4 months of graduation. The median salary of the university alumni is 52,650 USD. The average salaries of the graduates and alumni according to a degree can be seen as:-
| Degree | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master of Arts | 160,000 USD |
| MBA | 74,000 USD |
| Bachelor of Science | 68,000 USD |
| Bachelor of Arts | 60,000 USD |
San Francisco State University offers various courses for international students. It has an alumni network of 2,80,000 people and has 1600 faculty members currently. SF State alumni have been nominated for Academy Awards for the last 17 consecutive years. 65% of students receive some kind of financial aid at the university. Students can avail of 700+ scholarships in US and receive grants up to 8,000 USD.
FAQs
Ques 1: What is the student-to-faculty ratio at SFSU?
Ans: The student-to-faculty ratio at San Francisco State University is 16:1. This ensures a smaller class size and more attention to each student.
Ques 2: Can I get an application fee waiver at SFSU as an international student?
Ans: Application fee waivers are reserved for U.S. Military Veterans and McNair Scholars. International/F-1 applicants are not eligible for an application fee waiver.
Ques 3: What is the graduation rate at San Francisco State University?
Ans: The four-year graduation rate is 29% as per US News and World Report.
Admission Guide
Admission Process
San Francisco State University (SFSU) offers admissions in 2 intakes: Fall and Spring. It has enrolled over 20000 students as per the official data. SFSU offers 200+ programs for international students across master’s and bachelor’s degrees. For Spring 2026, the deadline to apply for admission for most of the programs is between 15 October 2025 to 15 November 2026 (depending on the program). For fall 2026, the application deadline is May 1, 2026. Undergraduate application periods are October 1, 2025, to May 1, 2026, for the Fall Semester (starts in August) and August 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026, for the Spring Semester (starts in January).
SFSU has an acceptance rate of 90%, which makes it relatively easier to get admission. The PG program fees at San Francisco State University range from USD 9822 to USD 25967 per year (INR 8.71 lakhs to 23.03 Lakhs). Fees for UG programs range from USD 8388 to USD 22946 per year (₹7.43 Lakhs to ₹20.35 Lakhs). To apply to SFSU, applicants must meet the GPA requirements (3.0/4.0), along with English Language Requirements ( TOEFL iBT: 61 to 80,IELTS: 6.0 to 6.5)
Table of Contents
- San Francisco State University Application Deadlines
- San Francisco State University Acceptance Rate
- San Francisco State University Courses
- San Francisco State University Requirements for International Students
4.1 San Francisco State University PG Admissions
4.2 San Francisco State University MBA Admissions
4.3 San Francisco State University UG Admissions
- San Francisco State University Admission Decisions
- US Student Visa Application Process
- FAQs
San Francisco State University Application Deadlines
SFSU offers admission in 2 intakes: Fall and Spring. The admission deadlines vary program by program. Some of the deadlines to apply are given below:
| Program | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| M.S Business Analytics | Application Deadline for Spring 2026: 15th Oct 2025 |
| M.S Computer Science | Application Deadline for Spring 2026: 1st Oct 2025 |
| M.S Statistical Data Science | Application Deadline for Spring 2026: 15th Nov 2025 |
| B.S Computer Engineering | Final Deadline Fall 2026: 1st May 2026Priority Deadline Spring 2026: 31st Aug 2026Final Deadline Spring 2026: 30th Sep 2026Priority Deadline Fall 2026: 2nd Dec 2026 |
| M.Sc Engineering – Embedded Electrical and Computer Systems | Application Deadline for Spring 2026: 1st Nov 2025 |
| M.B.A | Application Deadline for Spring 2026: 1st Nov 2025 |
Also check US University Application Timeline
San Francisco State University Acceptance Rate
SFSU has an acceptance rate of 90% which is relatively easier for admissions. To increase chances of admission, International applicants must meet the academic and GPA requirements (3.0/4.0). Additionally, applicants must also meet the English Language Requirement. Along with that, a strong application and documents submitted within the deadline can increase the chances of securing admission into San Francisco State University.
San Francisco State University Courses
San Francisco State University offers 200+ courses. Some of the top programs of SFSU are tabulated below:
| Course | English Language Requirements | Fees (USD/Yr) | Fees (INR/Yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S Business Analytics | IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL iBT: 80, Duolingo: 120 | USD 20,952 | ₹18.6 Lakhs |
| M.S Computer Science | IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL iBT: 80, Duolingo: 120 | USD 16,530 | ₹14.7 Lakhs |
| M.S Statistical Data Science | IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL iBT: 80 | USD 16,530 | ₹14.7 Lakhs |
| B.S Computer Engineering | IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL iBT: 61 | USD 20,103 | ₹17.8 Lakhs |
| M.Sc Engineering – Embedded Electrical & Computer Systems | IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL iBT: 80, Duolingo: 120 | USD 16,530 | ₹14.7 Lakhs |
| M.B.A | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL iBT: 88, Duolingo: 120 | USD 23,124 | ₹20.5 Lakhs |
San Francisco State University Requirements for International Students
Applicants can apply to SFSU programs via the online portal. International students must meet the academic and English requirements to secure admission into the University.
San Francisco State University PG Admissions
The admission requirements for applying to Graduate courses at SFSU are given below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | CAL State Apply |
| Application Fee | 70 USD (INR 6208) |
| Academic Qualifications | - A 4-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution - GPA of at least 3.0 in the last degree completed - Meet any additional professional, personal, and scholastic standards |
| English Language Proficiency | - TOEFL iBT: minimum 80- TOEFL PBT: minimum 550- IELTS: minimum 6.5 overall- PTE Academic: minimum 59 overall- Duolingo: minimum 120 overall |
| Documents Required | Official transcripts showing the award of a bachelor's degree and GPAWriting samplePersonal statementLOR for USACV/ResumeEssayPortfolioTest score reports: GRE/GMAT |
Also check US Student Visa Types
San Francisco State University MBA Admissions
SFSU offers MBA course for a duration of 2 years. The fee for the course is USD 23124 (INR 20.53 Lakhs) per annum. The admission requirements for taking admission in MBA course are given below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | CAL State Apply |
| Application Fee | 70 USD (INR 6208) |
| Academic Qualifications | - A 4-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution - GPA of at least 3.0 in the last degree completed - Meet any additional professional, personal, and scholastic standards |
| English Language Proficiency | - TOEFL iBT: minimum 80- TOEFL PBT: minimum 550- IELTS: minimum 6.5 overall- PTE Academic: minimum 59 overall- Duolingo: minimum 120 overall |
| Documents Required | Official transcripts showing the award of a bachelor's degree and GPAWriting samplePersonal statementLOR for USACV/ResumeEssayPortfolioTest score reports: GRE/GMAT |
San Francisco State University UG Admissions
The admission requirements for applying to UG courses are given below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | CAL State Apply |
| Application Fee | 70 USD (INR 6208) |
| Academic Qualifications | - Completion of a 12-year primary-secondary (K–12) curriculum- Must be qualified to enter a university in your home country- Must have graduated or will graduate from high school (equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma)- Minimum GPA: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or B- average in academic courses after 9th grade |
| English Language Proficiency | - TOEFL iBT: 61 - TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 61- IELTS: 6.0 overall- IELTS Indicator: 6.0 overall- Duolingo English Test: 95- PTE Academic: 45 |
| Documents Required | High school transcripts and graduation certificate (or proof of expected graduation)Financial Affidavit FormProof of financesPassport copy |
Also check Why Study in USA
San Francisco State University Admission Decisions
Once an applicant has applied, the University takes 2-4 weeks to reply. Students can check their application status online. For UG admissions, Applicants who have received an application receipt notice and have submitted all required admission materials will begin to receive notification of acceptance or denial of admission to the fall semester on February 1, 2026, and for the spring semester on September 15, 2026
US Student Visa Application Process
International students need an F-1 or J-1 US student visa to apply for admission to San Francisco State University. The following is the step-by-step visa application process:
- Students need the acceptance letter from San Francisco State University
International applicants will be issued a Form I-20 from the university
- Applicants will need to provide the following documents to receive the Form I-20:
○ Copy of passport
○ Proof of financial support
○ Bank statement
○ Sponsor letter, if applicable
○ Certificate of immunization
- Complete the I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- Applicants then need to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa. Submit the form and pay the application fee.
- Schedule and attend the visa interview.
San Francisco State University offers various courses and its specialisations for Indian Students. Applicants who want to increase their chances of admission to SFSU must submit all the required documents and a completed application within the deadline. This helps ensure that the University has sufficient time to review, and students can avoid delays in their USA visa applications.
FAQs
Ques 1: Can I work while studying at SFSU as an international student?
Ans: Eligible F-1 and J-1 students may work on campus as student assistants, tutors, teaching assistants, etc. SFSU student employees may work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) during the Spring and Fall semesters and up to 40 hours per week (full-time) during Summer sessions and semester breaks.
Ques 2: How good is San Francisco State University?
Ans: According to Students' reviews, the following are the pros of studying at SFSU:
- Located in San Francisco, offering access to a vibrant urban environment and a diverse culture
- More affordable than many other colleges, especially for in-state students
- Supportive and knowledgeable faculty, especially in programs like nursing and fine arts
- The Fine Arts building includes a variety of spaces where students can work independently
- On-campus housing is available and considered decent by students
- Offers a wide variety of academic programs and unique minors, such as Human Sexuality
- Strong placement support in some departments, with good internship opportunities in the city
- Moving to San Francisco provides personal growth opportunities for students from other regions
Ques3: Can English proficiency test score requirement be waived at San Francisco State University?
Ans. The scores are waived if the student has U.S. earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Students who exhibit exceptional English language skills can submit a petition for the same with supporting documents. All petitions are not approved.
Placements & Recruiters
San Francisco State University Placement Details
San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in San Francisco, California, United States.
Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric
Average Package
N/A
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2022
Highlights
2022
2022
- Best overall country rank: #174
- Overall: #174 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2022
2023
Highlights
2023
2023
- Best overall country rank: #87
- Overall: #87 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2023
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Best overall country rank: #50
- Overall: #50 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Best overall country rank: #100
- Overall: #100 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2025
2026
Highlights
2026
2026
- Best overall country rank: #104
- Overall: #104 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2026
Contact Information
Student Reviews & Ratings
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
7.6/10
Top Rated
Based on 3 ratings
Rating Breakdown
Visual summary of rating distribution and categories
Live Summary
Academic
7.7/10
Faculty
8.7/10
Infrastructure
7.3/10
Accommodation
7.3/10
Placement
8.3/10
Extracurricular
6.3/10