San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$14,757
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,705
$30k - $48k
$11,862
$48k - $75k
$16,065
$75k - $110k
$20,159
$110k+
$23,493
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$7,524
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$19,404
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$17,955
Books and Supplies
$1,099
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
62%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
43%
Average Aid Per Year
$9,519
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
43%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,601
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,935
Students receiving state aid
51%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,515
Students receiving federal aid
49%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,601
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$125,304,104
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$10,170

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
35%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,771
Students receiving federal loans
34%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,178
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,196
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,500
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$153

What Students Are Saying

Definitely a deal! If you find an apartment in the city instead of paying for the dorms you save a bundle of money, and get away from school once you're done with your classes.
Liza from Bolinas, CA
I personally do not live in the dorms because I save so much money living in an apartment. I have friends at the dorms & I've been to all of the types of dorms at SF State. The Mary Ward Halls (freshmen dorms) are okay. Not much privacy, but you meet tons of people. The Towers & Village are the way to go if you're looking for apartment style living, But they are more expensive than the MW Halls. Tuition at SF is reasonable & being a student here has many advantages: Melting pot, transportation is cheap, & many opportunities for exposure available academically professionally in the city.
Kirsten from San Francisco, CA
I haven't had to deal witha single problem that I'd wished my money hadn't been spent on. The only complaint I have is that the DC (dining center) isn't always perfect, but they like to experiment and offer a complaint/suggestions box. They are very stable with their basics though (salad bar, noodle place, stir fry, desserts, late night dining section, and worker-made salads are always available given the hour of the day). Also, if one is not happy with the DC other options such as Burritos in the Park (mexican food) and the Cantina (pizza, pasta, stomboli's) are open weekdays until 8 pm.
Lauren from Crescent City, CA
SFSU is a state school so it's cheaper in comparison to private schools. It's even cheaper than it's UC counterpart. However, cheaper doesn't mean less quality. The professors here are top notch and teach you as well or ever better than ones in other universities.
A from San Francisco, CA
Transportation is cheap and gets you around San Francisco with ease.
Stefeny from San Jose, CA
I think this school would be great for those who want the basics - an education. The dorms are expensive, so skip out and get a great apartment nearby for a lot less (not Parkmerced though). I just wish the campus had a little more LIFE in it - sports, greek life, and school spirit. And I also have to mention that it's really hard to get classes because of the budget, and I don't see this problem getting any better, but that's a problem every state student is facing.
Eva from Santa Clara, CA
For the price you pay to attend SFSU you really get a great education. In my opinion, the tuition and other college costs of SFSU are pretty reasonable and definitely worth the cost. The professors are really dedicated to providing you with the education you pay for.
Dru from Oakley, CA
For the price that students have to pay to attend this school, I'd say it is worth it. Having access to both rural and urban landscapes is definitely a bog plus. The school is extremely close to the beach and the city. Being able to get aroound so easily and having so many opportunities from the placement of this school has been a big reason why paying the price has not been as painful.
Amanda from Daly City, CA
San Francisco State prides itself at being one of the cheaper Cal States. The campus is beautiful and green but classes are kind of hard to get. Housing is a tad bit expensive.
Sara from Los Angeles, CA