Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at San Francisco State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 23% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 71st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at San Francisco State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $117,532 | $150,102 | +69% | #2 of 966 | #2 | $15,233 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $67,345 | $112,454 | +12% | #26 of 258 | #110 | $16,125 |
| Computer Science | $50,553 | $105,166 | -2% | #138 of 349 | #214 | $17,353 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $72,647 | $102,104 | +11% | #28 of 318 | #150 | $21,250 |
| Computer Engineering | $53,180 | $94,129 | -14% | #154 of 189 | #176 | $13,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $68,256 | $90,894 | +5% | #48 of 233 | #160 | $17,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $52,288 | $86,425 | -6% | #220 of 459 | #318 | $18,750 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $56,071 | $85,037 | +36% | #3 of 49 | #5 | $24,186 |
| Economics | $46,310 | $82,697 | +0% | #158 of 368 | #220 | $13,625 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,607 | $81,587 | +7% | #235 of 796 | #416 | $12,971 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,778 | $78,310 | -6% | #218 of 452 | #334 | $15,128 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | — | $76,134 | +16% | #22 of 110 | #33 | $14,986 |
| International Business | $58,560 | $75,824 | +4% | #46 of 115 | #79 | $20,897 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $46,041 | $75,207 | +10% | #54 of 187 | #106 | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $40,794 | $74,482 | +12% | #6 of 35 | #10 | $19,000 |
| Biology | $36,259 | $74,204 | +30% | #55 of 841 | #121 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,184 | $73,775 | +8% | #262 of 1176 | #529 | $15,000 |
| Marketing | $52,072 | $71,691 | +3% | #160 of 516 | #317 | $12,408 |
| Mathematics | $44,257 | $71,323 | +3% | #146 of 309 | #202 | $16,750 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27,296 | $70,532 | +20% | #17 of 215 | #61 | $16,500 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $50,008 | $70,207 | +12% | #9 of 30 | #10 | $18,625 |
| Social Work | $48,750 | $68,524 | +32% | #5 of 420 | #19 | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $36,707 | $68,440 | +10% | #16 of 64 | #26 | $16,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $31,254 | $65,775 | -1% | #62 of 118 | #82 | $16,625 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,153 | $65,510 | +15% | #21 of 137 | #49 | $14,125 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $47,367 | $65,252 | +6% | #48 of 156 | #74 | $18,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,211 | $63,764 | +15% | #72 of 660 | #225 | $14,992 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,790 | $63,731 | +13% | #103 of 660 | #218 | $13,703 |
| Geography and Cartography | $24,875 | $63,590 | +10% | #36 of 117 | #70 | $16,359 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,242 | $62,623 | +14% | #54 of 225 | #107 | $14,387 |
| Sociology | $40,763 | $62,385 | +18% | #58 of 462 | #114 | $15,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,749 | $62,116 | +13% | #52 of 265 | #96 | $14,087 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,502 | $61,915 | -2% | #285 of 565 | #400 | $16,200 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $30,620 | $61,895 | +3% | #24 of 53 | #38 | $16,461 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $19,861 | $61,603 | +19% | #3 of 24 | #4 | $15,750 |
| Anthropology | $28,314 | $61,300 | +31% | #10 of 188 | #20 | $16,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,237 | $59,993 | +27% | #35 of 680 | #120 | $12,500 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $31,001 | $59,990 | +16% | #11 of 103 | #22 | $17,303 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,845 | $59,678 | +16% | #83 of 299 | #133 | $15,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,176 | $59,056 | +8% | #136 of 610 | #330 | $17,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $32,431 | $59,032 | +22% | #29 of 137 | #48 | $16,689 |
| History | $28,718 | $58,717 | +16% | #73 of 459 | #153 | $15,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,112 | $58,617 | +10% | #114 of 476 | #233 | $15,250 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $28,753 | $58,550 | +16% | #40 of 158 | #58 | $17,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | $35,977 | $58,530 | +21% | #2 of 49 | #10 | $16,702 |
| Journalism | $31,788 | $57,260 | +2% | #80 of 187 | #123 | $15,000 |
| English Language and Literature | $32,339 | $56,297 | +16% | #109 of 576 | #193 | $16,743 |
| Psychology | $34,803 | $55,902 | +10% | #214 of 1027 | #472 | $15,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $28,427 | $55,212 | +8% | #16 of 63 | #39 | $16,500 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $30,082 | $53,575 | -7% | #40 of 57 | #49 | $17,625 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The San Francisco State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $1,373,148
- Avg rent near campus: $3,347/mo — vs ~$1,253/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 94134 (2.8% cap, San Francisco)
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🏆 Where San Francisco State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $11,277 | |
| Board | $5,148 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $30,456 | $42,336 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,307 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,251 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,916 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,944 |
| $110,001+ | $22,813 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from San Francisco State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at San Francisco State University?
How much does it cost to attend San Francisco State University?
What is the graduation rate at San Francisco State University?
Is San Francisco State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend San Francisco State University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to San Francisco State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology