San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California · Public · 96.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
San Francisco State University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,950/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,550/yr |
| Average net price | $12,278/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $49,112 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,077 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,371 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $163 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,639 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,341 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,867 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,825 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,556 |
| $110,001+ | $22,523 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at San Francisco State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,775 | B+ |
| Psychology | $55,902 | B |
| Biology | $74,204 | B |
| Computer Science | $105,166 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $59,993 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,731 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $63,764 | B+ |
| Registered Nursing | $150,102 | A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $47,149 | D |
| Design and Applied Arts | $59,678 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at San Francisco State University is $7,950/year ($20,550/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,278/year, or roughly $49,112 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,341/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,523/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,371 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $163 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $68,077 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.36 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 96.4% |
| Enrollment | 18,639 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,199 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University (this school) | 80 | $12,278 | $68,077 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| Iowa State University | 79 | $18,589 | $63,386 |
| University of Kansas | 76 | $18,059 | $61,945 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| Illinois State University | 74 | $19,398 | $62,117 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
San Francisco State University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $12,278 per year ($49,112 over four years), graduates earn a median of $68,077 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.7 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 50.4% graduation rate.
Median debt of $15,371 is very manageable against $68,077 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.