What are the admission requirements for San Francisco State University?

San Francisco State University requires IELTS 6+ for international students. The acceptance rate is 84%. Contact NexStudy for a free eligibility check.

What is the tuition fee at San Francisco State University?

Postgraduate tuition is approximately $12,000 per year. Undergraduate tuition is approximately $12,000 per year. Scholarships may be available to reduce costs.

How can I apply to San Francisco State University from India?

Indian students can apply to San Francisco State University through NexStudy's free counseling service. Our counselors help with profile evaluation, university shortlisting, SOP review, and visa guidance. Book a free session at nexstudy.in/counseling.

USAQS #99 World📊 Live dataCatalogue complete

San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public research university located in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1899 as a teacher-training school and has since grown to become one of the largest universities in the California State University system. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as business, education, engineering, health sciences, and the arts.

📍 San Francisco, United StatesFounded 189929,424 studentsOfficial website ↗

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Key Facts

🏆

QS World Rank

#99

🎤

IELTS Required

💰

PG Tuition

$12,000

💵

UG Tuition

$12,000

✅

Acceptance Rate

84%

📚

Total Programs

Last full enrichment: 17 Jun 2026

Live portal snapshot

QS #99 · 2026Forbes #147 · 2026US News & World Report #148 · 2026US News & World Report #148 · 2025US News & World Report #542 · 2024

Living Costs (estimated): $1,850
Tuition (International): $12,000
Living Costs (estimated): $10,000
Application Fee (typical): $60

🎯

Campus Vibe

Urban, 142 acres

San Francisco State University has a unique urban vibe, with its 142-acre campus offering a diverse and academically rigorous environment. The campus is surrounded by the city's vibrant culture, providing students with a wide range of experiences.

SportyAcademicResidentialInternationally DiverseLarge Community

4/10

Diversity

7/10

Academic Rigor

7/10

City safety (heuristic)

7/10

Social scene

Weather: Varies widely by state

Living costs: Research local rent and transport for your intake year

💼

Career Outcomes

$21,667 avg starting salary

92.5% placement rate

Estimated outcomes score (heuristic): 2/10

San Francisco State University offers strong career outcomes, with an average starting salary of $21,667 and a placement rate of 92.5%. The university's location in the heart of San Francisco provides access to top fields such as business administration, data science, and engineering.

Popular fields

Business AdministrationStatistical Data ScienceElectrical and Computer EngineeringUncategorizedBiomedical ScienceData Science and Artificial IntelligenceBusiness AnalyticsCivil Engineering

Sector mix (from placements)

Other: 4Finance: 22Education: 5Consulting: 18Government: 3Healthcare: 10Technology: 38

Top Recruiters

GoogleMicrosoftAmazonDeloitteSalesforce

🏠

Student Life

29,424 students (2,600 international)

Campus: Urban, 142 acres

Location: San Francisco, United States

Climate: Varies widely by state

Research local rent and transport for your intake year

San Francisco State University has a large and diverse student body of over 29,000 students, providing a lively and inclusive atmosphere. The city of San Francisco offers a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and recreational activities for students to enjoy.

LibrarySports ComplexResearch LabsStudent HousingCafeteria

🔑

Application Insider

Acceptance rate: 84%

IELTS: Overall 6

When to apply: Dec–Mar for Fall; rolling varies by school

San Francisco State University has an acceptance rate of 84%, with the best time to apply being between December and March for the fall semester. The university's rolling application process varies by school, so it's essential to research and plan ahead to ensure a smooth application process.

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing document certified translations where required
Applying in the final round without buffer for visa timelines
Ignoring conditional offers — respond before the deadline in the portal
Submitting generic SOPs — tailor your story to 2–3 program-specific points

💡IELTS requirement: Overall 6

💡Acceptance rate: 84%

💡Latest cutoff: Living in Ireland Average living costs Part time work Post study work Popular job sectors Explore Top Universities in Ireland Study in Ireland Scholarships in Ireland

💡Typical apply window for United States: Dec–Mar for Fall; rolling varies by school

San Francisco State University

Key Facts

Campus Vibe

Career Outcomes

Student Life

Application Insider

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Frequently Asked Questions about San Francisco State University

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Component	Amount	Period	Year
Living Costs (estimated)	$1,850	Per Year	2026
Tuition (International)International	$12,000	Per Year	2026
Living Costs (estimated)	$10,000	Per Year	2026
Application Fee (typical)International	$60	One-Time	2026