The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a public graduate level of research university. It has around 3,100 students, with a concentration in Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Research. Admissions are extremely competitive, with acceptance rates usually less than 15% for most programs. The graduates have excellent career opportunities with average starting salary usually over USD $90,000 (INR 75–80 lakhs) based on the field of study.
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university with approximately 10,000 students. It provides undergraduate and graduate courses in various fields of Business, Nursing, Computer Sciences, Law, Education, and Liberal Arts. Admissions are reasonably selective with an acceptance ratio of nearly 51%. The graduation rate is nearly 71%, and USF graduates have average starting salaries of nearly USD $55,000–60,000 (INR 46–50 lakhs) per year.
| University of California | University of San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 39 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 15 US News 2024 # 11 US News 2023 | # 1201 QS World University 2026 # 1201 QS World University 2025 # 1417 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 6 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 76 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 551 for Medicine by QS World University 2020 # 165 for Law by US News 2024 |
| Programs | PG Programs -11 Doctorate Programs -18 | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -33 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15.0 % | 51.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6 SAT-1100 TOEFL-65 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 34077 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 52920 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 38520 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 31960 Per Year |
| Campuses and B-Schools | University of California Hastings College of Law | NA |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 92/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -39600 |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Nov 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Nov 15, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) May 15, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Jun 15, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | 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) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of California | University of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1864 | 1912 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 4:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 48% Male, 52% Female | 38% Male, 62% Female |
| Weather |
University of California, San Francisco vs University of San Francisco
Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is among the leading health-science universities in the world and not ranked in QS nad other. University of San Francisco (USF) ranks much lower, at about 1201-1400 in QS 2026, with its top areas being Business, Law, Education, Nursing, and Liberal Arts.
General Information
UCSF, established in 1864, is one of the institutions in the University of California system, with ~3,100 students all at the graduate or professional level, and no traditional undergraduate programs. USF, established in 1855, is a private Jesuit university with ~10,000 students, providing both undergraduate and graduate programs, and most well-known for liberal arts orientation, social justice mission, and professional schools.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UCSF is highly competitive, with acceptance rates usually less than 15% for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing programs, with the need for high academic achievement, research experience, and professional readiness. USF is less selective 51%, accepting a wide array of undergraduate and graduate students.
Research Impact & Facilities
UCSF is an international preeminent research powerhouse in life sciences, biomedical sciences, and clinical medicine with full-scale NIH support, state-of-the-art labs, and teaching hospitals. USF prioritizes teaching, professional training, and community outreach with smaller-scale research focused on social justice, education, and applied health sciences.
Cost & Financial Aid
UCSF professional program tuition ranges (~$35,000–50,000 per year for California residents, more for out-of-state and foreign students). USF sets undergrad tuition at about $58,000 per year, with graduate tuition depending on the program. Both have financial aid and scholarships available, but USF offers more merit-based undergrad aid, while UCSF emphasizes fellowships and research grants.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UCSF graduates are medical, healthcare, biomedical research, and global health policy leaders who frequently go on to careers in clinical practice, academe, or research institutions. USF graduates prosper in business, education, law, public service, and healthcare, particularly in the Bay Area, leveraging its Jesuit network and urban setting.
