San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
San Francisco State University at a Glance
San Francisco State University is a public research university in San Francisco, California, United States. It was established in 1899 as the San Francisco State Normal School and is part of the California State University system.
1899
127 years old
$175M
$174.85 million (2024)
22,357
19,337 undergrad · 3,020 grad
1,582
1 acres
Identity
Is San Francisco State University Worth It?
San Francisco State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $12,278/year, it's priced 40% below average, while graduates go on to earn $68,077 — 27% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: San Francisco State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How San Francisco State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #19 of 69 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #19 | San Francisco State University | 70 | $12,278 | $68,077 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of San Francisco State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in CA.
Best Programs at San Francisco State University
The highest-earning program at San Francisco State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $94,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $21,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from San Francisco State University earns $94,700, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $21,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,894 in median debt vs. $16,370 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,278/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $94,700 | $94,700 | $17,894 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,100 | $68,100 | N/A |
| Computer Science | $62,200 | $62,200 | $15,679 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,300 | $58,300 | $18,896 |
| Civil Engineering | $54,300 | $54,300 | $21,850 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,300 | $48,300 | $13,751 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,400 | $44,400 | $17,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,600 | $42,600 | $15,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $41,900 | $41,900 | $16,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,300 | $41,300 | $17,500 |
| Marketing | $41,100 | $41,100 | $15,250 |
| International Business | $40,200 | $40,200 | $14,500 |
| Social Work | $39,600 | $39,600 | N/A |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $39,100 | $39,100 | $23,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $38,800 | $38,800 | $19,419 |
| Economics | $38,700 | $38,700 | $14,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,300 | $38,300 | $15,000 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $38,300 | $38,300 | $21,222 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $37,900 | $37,900 | $17,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $37,300 | $37,300 | $18,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,300 | $37,300 | $18,425 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,900 | $36,900 | $18,076 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,600 | $36,600 | $14,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,900 | $35,900 | $16,250 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $35,200 | $35,200 | $15,875 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,100 | $33,100 | $18,800 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $17,937 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $18,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $32,800 | $32,800 | $15,815 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $21,361 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $32,500 | $32,500 | $16,700 |
| Biology, General | $32,200 | $32,200 | $21,060 |
| Sociology | $32,200 | $32,200 | $16,500 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $32,000 | $32,000 | $23,500 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $24,486 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $31,500 | $31,500 | $22,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $31,400 | $31,400 | $18,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,400 | $31,400 | $17,335 |
| Journalism | $31,100 | $31,100 | $19,278 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $14,736 |
| History | $28,700 | $28,700 | $17,950 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,000 | $28,000 | $16,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $27,900 | $27,900 | $18,750 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $27,400 | $27,400 | $12,879 |
| Philosophy | $27,400 | $27,400 | $15,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27,300 | $27,300 | $16,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27,200 | $27,200 | $15,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,700 | $26,700 | $18,000 |
| Anthropology | $26,700 | $26,700 | $16,995 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,600 | $26,600 | $18,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $25,000 | $25,000 | $17,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $21,900 | $21,900 | $16,370 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Student Body
- 18,639 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,278
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,077
- Median Student Debt
- $15,371