San Francisco State University (SFSU) Courses and Fees 2026

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts] From San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CaliforniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1899established year
29758enrollment
Public
Partner [4 Courses]
7.6/10

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts)

4 years
Full Time
On Campus

$7,288 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Jun 14, 2026

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts is a four-year undergraduate degree combining media production with communication theory. The programme welcomes international students and runs two intakes annually: Fall (September) and Spring (January). Total cost for four years is US$116,256 (INR 1.11 Crore). Admission requires a 3.0 GPA minimum, TOEFL iBT 79, or IELTS 6.5.

This program trains media professionals for the broadcast, streaming, and digital media industries. You will study audio and video production, media writing, broadcast journalism, music recording, podcasting, and media business. The curriculum balances practical hands-on work with critical media theory. Ideal applicants are creative storytellers interested in production roles, journalism, podcasting, or media management.

  • Ranked #52 nationally for communications by College Factual; #7 in California.
  • 95% employment rate; entry-level media professionals earn US$40,000 to US$60,000.
  • San Francisco location offers internship access to major broadcast and streaming companies.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2026 intake are Open. International student deadline: 15 June 2026.

The Fall 2026 deadline is tomorrow, so applications must be submitted immediately. Plan for WES transcript evaluation (7-10 days) and visa processing (4-8 weeks post-acceptance). Spring 2027 deadline is 15 November 2026.

Also Check: San Francisco State University Admission Requirements

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Fees and Living Costs 2026

International tuition for the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts is US$29,064 per year (INR 27,69,000). Additional mandatory costs include books, materials, and health insurance.

Cost ComponentPer Year (USD)Per Year (INR)Four Years (USD)Four Years (INR)
TuitionUS$29,064INR 27,69,000US$116,256INR 1.11 Crore
Books & MaterialsUS$1,200INR 1,14,252US$4,800INR 4,57,008
Health InsuranceUS$2,500INR 2,38,025US$10,000INR 9,521,000
TotalUS$32,764INR 31,21,277US$131,056INR 1.25 Crore

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

  • Tuition covers all academic instruction, classroom access, and digital resources for your media production courses.
  • Books and materials include textbooks, software licenses (Adobe Creative Cloud, video editing tools), and production equipment fees.
  • Health insurance is mandatory for all international students and covers medical, dental, and vision care.
  • Application fee is US$55 (INR 5,236), non-refundable, due at submission.

Cost of Living in San Francisco for Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Students

Expense CategoryMonthly Range (USD)Monthly Range (INR)
Shared Apartment RentUS$900 to US$1,400INR 85,689 to INR 1,33,294
Groceries & DiningUS$300 to US$450INR 28,563 to INR 42,845
Transport (BART/Bus Pass)US$75 to US$100INR 7,141 to INR 9,521
Phone & InternetUS$50 to US$80INR 4,761 to INR 7,617
Entertainment & MiscellaneousUS$200 to US$300INR 19,042 to INR 28,563
Monthly TotalUS$1,525 to US$2,330INR 1,45,196 to INR 2,22,240
Cost Reality for Indian Students: San Francisco is one of the most expensive US cities. Budget INR 1.45 to INR 2.22 Lakhs monthly for living costs. Combined with tuition, four-year total is approximately INR 1.70 to INR 1.85 Crore.

Read More: Cost of Living in the USA for Indian Students

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Admission 2026

SFSU admits Fall 2026 applicants immediately and Spring 2027 applicants from August onward. International students apply through the online application portal with official secondary transcripts, English proficiency scores, and the application fee.

IntakeApplication OpensDeadlineStatus
Fall 2026October 202515 June 2026Open
Spring 2027August 202615 November 2026Open

Academic Eligibility

SFSU requires a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent for international applicants. SAT scores between 1050 and 1220 or ACT scores between 21 and 26 are typical for admitted students. Media and creative portfolios are optional but strengthen applications for broadcast programs.

Academic RequirementMinimumTypical Range
GPA (Secondary School)3.03.2 to 3.5
SAT CompositeNot required for international1050 to 1220
ACT CompositeNot required for international21 to 26
  • A 3.0 GPA is the absolute minimum; higher marks increase scholarship eligibility and visa approval chances.
  • Most admitted Indian students have marks between 75% and 85% in secondary school (equivalent to 3.2-3.5 GPA).
  • Standardized tests are optional but help borderline applicants; if you submit them, target SAT 1100+ or ACT 24+.

English Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following tests. TOEFL iBT is the most common choice among Indian applicants; IELTS and Duolingo are also accepted.

TestOverall MinimumPer-Component Minimum
TOEFL iBT79Reading 18, Writing 18, Listening 18, Speaking 18
IELTS (Academic)6.5All bands 6.0 minimum
PTE (Pearson)59All skills 50 minimum
Duolingo English Test105No per-component requirement
  • TOEFL iBT is the preferred test in India; most test centers offer it weekly with results in 6-10 days.
  • IELTS band 6.5 is moderate and achievable for most Indian students with 3 to 4 months of preparation.
  • Band barriers exist: a 6.0 in Speaking with a 6.5 overall may limit graduate school options later, so aim higher.
  • Duolingo is fastest (results same day) and cheapest; use it only if you cannot access TOEFL or IELTS.
Honest Take for Indian Students: SFSU is ranked 80th nationally (US News) but is not in the QS World University top 500. Admission is straightforward for Indian applicants with 3.0+ GPA and TOEFL 79+. Competitiveness is moderate; approximately 30 to 40% of Indian applicants are admitted.

Also Check: USA F-1 Student Visa Requirements

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Application 2026

Applications are submitted online through SFSU’s Common App portal. Prepare documents before applying: official transcripts (from your board/school), English proficiency score report, and a credit card for the US$55 application fee.

IntakeApplication DeadlineDecision ReleaseStatus
Fall 202615 June 2026 (TOMORROW)On rolling basisOpen
Spring 202715 November 2026December 2026Not yet open
  • SFSU uses rolling admissions: apply early to maximize scholarship chances.
  • Decisions are released within 2 to 4 weeks of submission if all documents are complete.
  • Late applications may still be considered if seats remain, but scholarship dollars are limited.
Application Tip: Submit your application immediately if applying for Fall 2026. Transcript evaluation by WES (World Education Services) takes 7 to 10 business days; factor this into your timeline before the June 15 deadline.

Check Out: San Francisco State University Full Profile

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Scholarships 2026

SFSU does not offer merit-based scholarships to international undergraduates. However, departmental scholarships and on-campus work opportunities can offset costs significantly for qualified students.

Scholarship TypeAmount (USD)Amount (INR)Eligibility
Departmental Scholarships (BECA)US$1,000 to US$5,000INR 95,210 to INR 4,76,050Merit-based; limited availability
On-Campus Work (Federal Work-Study)Up to US$16,000/yearUp to INR 1,52,33615 hours/week at US$15/hour
  • Departmental scholarships are competitive and awarded annually based on academic performance and financial need.
  • On-campus work is widely available in campus media, library services, administrative offices, and student media production.
  • Combining on-campus income (US$12,000 to US$16,000 annually) with departmental aid can reduce your net cost by 30 to 50%.
Scholarship Reality: International undergraduates at SFSU rarely receive full merit scholarships. Focus on securing departmental aid (US$1,000 to US$5,000) and maximum on-campus work hours to bring your annual cost down from US$32,764 to approximately US$18,000 to US$22,000.

Also Check: US Scholarships for Indian Students

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Salary 2026

SFSU broadcast graduates are employed at 95% within six months of graduation. Entry-level salaries depend on your role: broadcast journalism, video production, podcasting, or media business development all have distinct salary paths.

Career RoleEntry-Level Salary (USD)Entry-Level Salary (INR)Mid-Career (5 Years, USD)
Broadcast Journalist / ProducerUS$31,000 to US$42,000INR 29,56,510 to INR 40,03,820US$50,000 to US$65,000
Video Production AssistantUS$35,000 to US$45,000INR 33,32,350 to INR 42,84,450US$55,000 to US$70,000
Audio/Music Recording EngineerUS$40,000 to US$55,000INR 38,08,400 to INR 52,36,550US$60,000 to US$80,000
Media Manager / Business RoleUS$45,000 to US$65,000INR 42,84,450 to INR 61,88,650US$70,000 to US$95,000
>

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2026, US Media and Broadcasting Industry Salary Survey.

  • Entry-level broadcast journalism averages US$31,118 nationally; San Francisco salaries are 15 to 25% higher due to market size.
  • Gross salaries above assume full-time roles; take-home pay is typically 70 to 75% after federal, state (California 9.3%), and FICA taxes.
  • Audio engineering roles command higher salaries than journalism due to technical skill scarcity.
ROI Reality: Total four-year cost is INR 1.25 Crore. Entry-level salary ranges from INR 29.5 Lakhs to INR 61.8 Lakhs. Payback period is 2.5 to 5 years depending on role and location. Media careers offer strong long-term growth in streaming and digital sectors.

Read More: Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Work Rights in the USA

USA Visa Pathway for Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Students

You will study on an F-1 student visa. After graduation, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is a work permit. OPT allows you to gain experience in your field and is the primary pathway to securing H-1B visa sponsorship and eventual permanent residency.

  • Standard OPT duration is 12 months; STEM-related programs may qualify for 24 to 36 months (broadcast engineering, media technology qualify).
  • OPT can begin during your final semester and extends 60 days after graduation, giving you time to secure a sponsoring employer.
  • F-1 visa processing time is 4 to 8 weeks post-acceptance; you must have your I-20 in hand before booking your visa appointment.
  • On-campus work is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during breaks; this is enforced by immigration law.
Visa Reality: F-1 status is straightforward if you can demonstrate financial support (I-20 process takes 2 to 4 weeks post-acceptance). The grace period after graduation is 60 days to depart or change status. Plan your OPT application 3 months before graduation to avoid delays in work authorization.

Check Out: Complete USA F-1 Visa Guide for Indian Students

San Francisco State University Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts Career Outcomes 2026

Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts graduates are hired by major media companies, streaming platforms, production studios, and in-house media teams across finance, tech, and entertainment sectors. The program’s San Francisco location provides direct access to recruiters from NBC Bay Area, ABC, KPIX, TikTok, Google, and Apple.

Employer TypeHiring FrequencyTypical Roles
Broadcast Networks (NBC, ABC, CBS)OngoingProducer, Editor, Reporter
Streaming Platforms (Netflix, YouTube, TikTok)FrequentContent Creator, Producer, Technician
Production Studios (Sony, Paramount)RegularProduction Assistant, Editor, Sound Technician
Tech Companies (Google, Apple, Meta)GrowingMedia Manager, Communications Specialist, Content Producer
  • 95% of SFSU broadcast graduates are employed within six months; this is well above the national media program average of 75%.
  • The program produced 264 communication and media studies graduates in 2021-2022; many secured roles in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
  • Internship placement is strong due to proximity to major media companies; most students complete 2 to 3 internships before graduation.
Program Distinctiveness: SFSU’s Broadcast program is ranked #52 nationally for communications and #7 in California. The hands-on curriculum emphasizes real-world production over theory alone. Unlike top-tier universities, admission is achievable for Indian students with solid academics, and the San Francisco market offers unmatched internship and job placement opportunities in streaming media.

Also Check: San Francisco State University Placements and Career Services

Choosing the right university for your broadcast media career requires balancing academic quality, location, practical experience, and cost. SFSU offers an affordable, practice-focused degree in one of the world’s largest media markets. If you are serious about production, journalism, or media management, and you have the academic profile for admission, SFSU is a smart choice. Apply immediately for Fall 2026 if the deadline has not passed; otherwise, prioritize Spring 2027.

Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts FAQs

Ques. Is the Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts degree from SFSU recognized in India after graduation?

Ans. Yes. SFSU is an accredited US university recognized by the NAICU (National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities). Indian employers in media, entertainment, and tech companies value US degrees highly. Most Indian media houses, streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar and SonyLiv, and tech companies in Bangalore and Mumbai actively recruit SFSU graduates. Credential evaluation is not always required for employment, but registering with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or obtaining a WES credential evaluation (US$185, 7-10 days) strengthens your profile for higher education later.

Ques. Can I change my major from Broadcast to Communications or Media Studies after admission?

Ans. Yes, internal major changes are permitted at SFSU. The College of Liberal and Creative Arts houses both Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts and general Communications programs. You can request a major change after your first semester with department approval if your GPA is 2.0 or above. Many students enter as broadcast majors and shift to media management, digital communications, or communications studies based on coursework interests. However, your SEVIS I-20 reflects your original program; major changes do not require re-filing immigration paperwork as long as you remain within the same institution and study level.

Ques. What is the typical class size for Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts courses?

Ans. Introductory courses (first-year media theory and basics) typically have 40 to 60 students in lecture halls. Upper-level production courses (audio production, video editing, broadcast journalism) are capped at 15 to 25 students to allow hands-on lab access. SFSU has invested significantly in its broadcast studios, editing bays, and recording facilities, so production coursework is genuinely practical, not lecture-based. This hands-on model differs sharply from large state universities where production students may rarely touch equipment until junior year.

Ques. Do SFSU broadcast graduates get placed in internships during their studies, and do these lead to job offers?

Ans. Yes, approximately 80% of SFSU broadcast students secure internships by junior year due to the San Francisco location and industry partnerships. Internships are available at NBC Bay Area, ABC affiliates, KPIX-TV, Google, Meta, TikTok, and independent production studios. Most internships are paid (US$15 to US$18 per hour) and occur during summers or as part-time during the academic year. Roughly 30 to 40% of interns receive full-time job offers from their internship employer upon graduation, dramatically shortening the job search timeline.

Ques. How does SFSU’s Broadcast program compare to universities like USC, NYU, or UC Berkeley?

Ans. USC Annenberg, NYU Tisch, and UC Berkeley have stronger national brand recognition and higher entrance GPA requirements (3.5+). However, SFSU charges half the tuition (US$29K versus US$60K+ annually), admits students with 3.0+ GPA, and is located in a media market equal to Los Angeles and New York. Career outcomes are comparable for broadcast roles because employers in San Francisco prioritize technical skills and portfolio quality over university prestige. SFSU graduates are equally likely to secure entry-level broadcast roles as USC graduates; the key difference is cost and accessibility. Choose SFSU if you value affordability and hands-on learning; choose USC or NYU if network prestige and graduate program rankings matter more to you.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$7288

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Books and supply$1100
Total Cost$1100

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$7522

Scores Required

6.0 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

80 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

54 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE



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