The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university in San Francisco, California, with a student enrollment of approximately 10,000. Admissions are fairly selective, with an acceptance ratio of roughly 51%. The most popular programs offered are Business Administration, Nursing, Computer Science, and Psychology. USF's graduation rate is around 70%, and the graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $55,000–60,000 (INR 46–50 lakhs) per annum.
San Francisco State University (SFSU) is a member of the California State University (CSU) system. It is a large public university with approximately 27,000 students. Admissions are relatively easier with an acceptance rate of approximately 90%. The graduation rate of SFSU stands at approximately 55%, and the average starting salary of alumni is USD $45,000–50,000 (INR 38–42 lakhs) per year.
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1201 QS World University 2026 # 1201 QS World University 2025 # 1417 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 1401 QS World University 2026 # 1201 QS World University 2025 # 1388 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -33 | UG Programs -72 PG Programs -35 |
| Acceptance Rate | 51.0 % | 90.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1100 TOEFL-65 | IELTS-7 SAT-950 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 52920 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 38520 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 31960 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 9256 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 10700 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 31970 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $117,000 Masters in Science: $77,000 Executive Masters: $72,000 Bachelor of Science: $70,000 Master (Other): $54,000 Bachelor of Arts: $52,000 | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters of Arts: $160,000 Bachelor of Science: $68,000 MBA: $60,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit personal statement Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit personal statement Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.0/10 Read 9 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 3 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 122 for Business by US News 2025 | # 301 for Business by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 88/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -39600 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -23124 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 15, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Mar 15, 2025 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) May 15, 2025 (Round 4 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Jun 15, 2025 (Round 5 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of San Francisco | San Francisco State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1912 | 1899 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 23:1 |
| Male:Female | 38% Male, 62% Female | 44% Male, 56% Female |
| Location Facts | The University of San Francisco has its main campus at the Hilltop Campus. There are several other campus located at USF Downtown San Francisco Campus, The Orange County Campus, The Pleasanton Campus, The Presidio Campus, The Sacramento Campus, The San Jose Campus, The Santa Rosa Campus. | The main campus of the university is located in San Francisco, California. In addition to the main campus, the school also has three satellite campuses. The Downtown Campus is part of the Lam Family College of Business and the College of Extended Learning and is located in the office area of Westfield San Francisco Centre. The Sierra Nevada Field Campus is located in Sierra County near Yuba Pass and the Sierra Valley and offers accredited courses to the general public. The Romberg Tiburon Campus is a 53-acre research campus located in Marin County. It is home to the Estuary and Ocean Science Center, a marine research lab. |
| Library | The Library provides the resources, services, and spaces to develop the whole person, and actively engages the USF community in its educational, social, and scholarly activities. The library provides access to 1.5 million book on shelf and online. 57,000 streaming videos are available on the website, 2 billion articles are available for the students. | The mission of the J. Paul Leonard Library is to empower its University constituency with lifelong learning skills to identify, find, evaluate, use and communicate information in promotion of excellence in scholarship, knowledge and understanding. |
| Campus Life | At USF, students take part in a broad range of academic, cultural, social, and political organizations. They also write for the school newspaper, work with university leaders through student government, work with visual and performing arts groups, and lend a hand in community service. Student clubs are a great way to empower and enrich yourself while meeting fellow Dons who share the same passion. Once you’re on campus, you’ll have more than 100 student clubs and organizations to join. Student Leadership and Engagement understands that you seek out involvement and leadership for a variety of reasons, including serving others, networking, building skills, discovering yourself, making new friends, and creating change. The Cultural Centers include the Gender & Sexuality Center and the Intercultural Center. The centers serve as both physical spaces on campus where students build community, and as outlets for student run programs that explore social issues and identity. | SF State has over 200 student organizations to get involved in. They include Academic, Arts, Cultural, Greek, Honor Societies, Media/Publication, Philosophical, Political, Pre-Professional, Religious, Service, Social, Social Justice, University Housing and Wellness organizations. Associated Students (AS) offers hundreds of community-oriented resources, events, services, scholarships, internships & student jobs, and is dedicated to the empowerment of SF State's diverse student body. Through a commitment to social justice & shared governance, the AS Board of Directors - SFSU's Student Body Government - acts as the official voice of students.Student Activities & Events partners with students to support organizations and clubs, facilitate programs and events that create community, develop the whole person, and foster a deep sense of connection to each other and our campus. The Campus Recreation Department is a student-driven department guiding development through transformative activities, creating a sense of belonging within our community, and being a key partner in integrating health and wellness across the University. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $14330 #Off campus (not with family) - $14330 #Off campus (with family) - $3300 | #On campus - $14502 #Off campus (not with family) - $14502 #Off campus (with family) - $2966 |
| Famous Alumni | Carlos Baena, animator | Alvin Ailey – dance choreographer and activist Solomon Darwin – Professor of Business at Haas School of Business and known for his development of "smart village" frameworks for Indian villages |
| City Life | A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents, San Francisco has long followed the beat of its own drum. Morphed and molded by its communities, the California metro area has been the heart of the bohemian lifestyle, the epicenter of the LGBT rights movement and the launching point of the technology era. Today, San Francisco is a complete universe in and of itself: Each neighborhood exudes its own personality, from the historic streets of the Mission District to the grassy hills of the Presidio to the bustling piers along the Embarcadero. Onerous zoning restrictions and residents' desires to stymie population growth have led to a drop in new housing units within city limits, causing San Francisco home prices and rental rates to rise significantly over the past several years. The lack of affordable housing options has caused the region's homeless population to grow. Necessary expenses like food and transportation aren't cheap, either. Basic groceries and gas generally cost noticeably more than the national average. | A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents, San Francisco has long followed the beat of its own drum. Morphed and molded by its communities, the California metro area has been the heart of the bohemian lifestyle, the epicenter of the LGBT rights movement and the launching point of the technology era. Today, San Francisco is a complete universe in and of itself. But a housing crunch has made it difficult for the San Francisco metro area to accommodate its population, driving housing prices and rental rates sky-high and significantly increasing the cost of living. The reasons why tourists love visiting San Francisco are the same reasons why residents love living here. The area is home to dozens of award-winning restaurants, world-class museums and family-friendly activities that San Franciscans routinely take advantage of. The lack of affordable housing options has caused the region's homeless population to grow. Necessary expenses like food and transportation aren't cheap, either. Basic groceries and gas generally cost noticeably more than the national average. |
| Weather |
University of San Francisco vs San Francisco State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The San Francisco University (USF), a private Jesuit university, is placed approximately 1201-1400 in QS 2026, with Business, Law, Nursing, Education, and Social Sciences as its strengths. San Francisco State University (SFSU), a state university in the California State University (CSU) ranked 1401 in QS 2026 but regionally acknowledged in areas such as Creative Arts, Education, Ethnic Studies, Business, and Liberal Arts. USF has greater international prestige, with SFSU being recognized for accessibility and local reach.
General Information
USF, established in 1855, is a private Catholic (Jesuit) university with ~10,000 students, with a focus on social justice, international engagement, and professional education. SFSU, established in 1899, is a public university with ~27,000 students, affiliated with the CSU system, providing a broad array of affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees with a clear dedication to diversity and community.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
USF is moderately selective 51%, having competitive programs in Business, Nursing, and Law. SFSU has a higher acceptance rate 90%, with a focus on accessibility, but selective admission into some majors such as Nursing and Cinema Studies.
Research Impact & Facilities
USF is research-intensive for a small private university, especially in business, health, and social justice concerns, assisted by professional schools and smaller research institutes. SFSU focuses on teaching and applied research, with areas of strength in creative arts, social sciences, and public service programs, frequently linked to California's employment interests.
Cost & Financial Aid
USF, being a private university, is pricier, at approximately $58,000 per year, but offers both merit- and need-based scholarships that more than cover many students' expenses. SFSU, being a public CSU, is significantly cheaper, with fees at about $8,000 (in-state) and ~$18,000 (out-of-state) per year, in addition to widespread state and federal financial aid opportunities.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
USF graduates excel in business, law, nursing, education, and non-profit management, usually using Jesuit international networks. SFSU graduates do well regionally and nationally in creative arts, teaching, government service, and business, drawing on a large pool of alumni and the proximity of San Francisco's business market.
