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San Francisco State University

San Francisco, 🇺🇸 United States Public
#178 National #1401 QS World #401 THE
San Francisco State University campus
Founded 1899 22,357 students Urban $20.4k - $26.0k/yr

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University (SF State) is a public research university located in San Francisco, California. Established in 1899, it is part of the California State University system and is recognized for its commitment to social justice and community inclusion. SF State offers a dynamic learning environment in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

Academics


SF State offers 126 bachelor's degree programs and 62 master's degree programs across its seven colleges. The university emphasizes hands-on, future-focused learning, preparing students for real-world success. Notable programs include those in science, business, public service, journalism, and the arts. The university also offers 37 blended bachelor's and master's degree programs, known as San Francisco State Scholars programs.

International Students


SF State provides comprehensive support to international students, including F-1 international student advising for current and prospective students, as well as alumni on OPT and STEM OPT. The university has a diverse international student body, with approximately 1,800 international students from over 100 countries each year. China, India, and Japan are among the top countries represented. The International Education Exchange Council (IEEC), SF State's largest student organization, facilitates intercultural engagement through events and programs like Language Exchange, connecting international and domestic students.

Campus & Location


SF State's 144.1-acre main campus is situated in the southwestern part of San Francisco, near Lake Merced and just 1.6 km from the Pacific Ocean. The campus features modern buildings, including state-of-the-art additions like the Science and Engineering Innovation Center. The Cesar Chavez Student Center serves as a hub for student life, offering a bookstore, restaurants, lounges, and a multicultural center. The university is well-connected by public transportation, with Muni bus routes and BART access to the Daly City station, making it easy to explore San Francisco's diverse attractions.

Career Outcomes


SF State's Career Services & Leadership Development (CSLD) office equips students and alumni with resources for career advancement, including workshops, job postings, networking events, and one-on-one counseling. Graduates find employment in various fields, with high earning potentials in engineering disciplines such as Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. The university fosters industry connections, with some alumni finding opportunities at major tech companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, Salesforce, PayPal, Symantec, and Cisco.

Highlights

  • Public research university
  • Commitment to social justice
  • Diverse academic programs
  • Vibrant San Francisco location
  • Strong international student support

Student Life & Support

Visa Support Campus Housing Work on Campus Sports Facilities Scholarships Available

Photos

San Francisco State University photo 1San Francisco State University photo 2San Francisco State University photo 3San Francisco State University photo 4San Francisco State University photo 5San Francisco State University photo 6San Francisco State University photo 7San Francisco State University photo 8San Francisco State University photo 9

Programs Offered at San Francisco State University (35)

Offers programs in:

Arts & Design Business & Management Computer Science Education Engineering Linguistics & Literature Medicine & Health Natural Sciences Physics & Chemistry Social Sciences

Bachelor Programs (11)

Africana Studies

Africana Studies

Africana Studies
africanababachelorbachelorsbs
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

American Indian Studies

American Indian Studies

American Indian Studies
American Indian studiesNative American studiesindigenous studies bachelortribal historyNative culture degree
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Bachelor of Astronomy

STEM

Astronomy

Astronomy

Astronomy
astronomyb.a.b.s.babachelor
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Biochemistry

STEM

Biochemistry

Biochemistry
bachelorbiochemistryunited_states
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Child and Adolescent Development

Child and Adolescent Development

Child and Adolescent Development
bachelor of child and adolescent developmentchild and adolescent development degreestudy child and adolescent developmentchild and adolescent development programstudy child and adolescent development in united states
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Criminal Justice Studies

Criminal Justice Studies

Criminal Justice Studies
bachelor in criminal justice studiesbachelor criminal justice studiesbachelor criminal justice studies degreebachelor criminal justice studies programbsc criminal justice studies
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Dance

Dance

Dance
babachelorbsbscdance
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Design

Design

Design
babachelorbachelorsbsbsc
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Dietetics

STEM

Dietetics

Dietetics
study dietetics in san franciscoba dieteticsstudy dietetics in united statesba dietetics in united statesbachelor in dietetics
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies
environmental studies degreeSan Francisco State environmentalSFSU environmentecologysustainability
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences
bachelor in family and consumer sciencesbsc family and consumer sciencesstudy family and consumer sciences in united statesstudy family and consumer sciences in san franciscofamily and consumer sciences career opportunities
48 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Master Programs (24)

Accounting

Accounting

Accounting
master in accountingmaster accountingmaster's in accountingmaster's accountingstudy accounting in united states
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Anthropology

Anthropology

Anthropology
master in anthropologymsc anthropologystudy anthropology in united statesstudy anthropology in san franciscomaster anthropology united states
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Applied Mathematics

STEM

Applied Mathematics

Applied Mathematics
study applied mathematics in united statesmasters applied mathematicsmath degreemaster in applied mathematicsmaster applied mathematics san francisco
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Art

Art History

M.Sc./M.A. Art History
artfranciscohistorymasterstate
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Asian American Studies

Asian American Studies

Asian American Studies
americanasiangraduatemamaster
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Biology

STEM

Biology

Biology
biologysanfranciscostateuniversity
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Business Administration

Business Administration

Business Administration
administrationbusinessbusiness administrationmasterunited states
21 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Chemistry

STEM

Chemistry

Chemistry
chemistrygraduatemamastermasters
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Cinema

Cinema Studies

Cinema & Film Studies
cinemafilmmasterstudiesunited states
24 months English Full-time
View details →

Civil Engineering

STEM

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering
civilengineeringgraduatemamaster
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Communication Studies

Communication Studies

Communication Studies
master communication studies San Franciscocommunications graduate SFSUmedia studies masters USAcommunication research MArhetorical studies masters
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Computer Engineering

STEM

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering
computercomputer engineeringengineeringgraduatema
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Computer Science

STEM

Computer Science

Computer Science
study computer science in united statescs degreemaster program san franciscomaster computer science united statessoftware engineer
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Counseling

Counseling

Counseling
counselinggraduatemastermasterspostgraduate
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Creative Writing

Creative Writing

Creative Writing
study in san franciscostudy in united statestaught in englishwriting workshopcreative writing
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education
masters in early childhood educationstudy early childhood education in united statesmsc early childhood educationearly childhood education masters programstudy early childhood education in san francisco
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Economics

Economics

Economics
economicsgraduatemamastermba
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Electrical Engineering

STEM

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering
electricalengineeringmasterunited_states
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Education (Elementary Education)

Elementary Education

Elementary Education
Education (Elementary Education)master's elementary educationmaster's in elementary educationmasters elementary educationmasters in elementary education
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

English

English

English
study english in united statesenglish at san francisco state universityenglish mastermaster in englishenglish
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies
master ethnic studies in united statesenglish-taught master ethnic studiesstudy ethnic studies in san franciscomaster ethnic studiesethnic studies at san francisco state university
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Cinema (Filmmaking)

Filmmaking

Filmmaking
ms filmmakingmsc filmmakingstudy filmmakingmaster filmmakingmasters filmmaking
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Education (Secondary Education)

Secondary Education

Secondary Education
secondary education programs in united statesstudy secondary education in united statesstudy secondary education san franciscosecondary education in san franciscobest secondary education programs
24 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

Art (Studio Art)

Studio Art

Fine Arts
artcreative artsfine artsfranciscograduate
36 months English Full-time
Scholarships View details →

San Francisco State University Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate

6.5+ IELTS
80+ TOEFL
120+ Duolingo
2.5+ GPA
Acceptance Rate Open (60%+)
Intakes August, January
Application Deadline Fall: May 1, Spring: September 30
Tuition (per year) $20.4k - $26.0k/yr
Application Fee $70
Teaching Language English
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)AACSB International (for Business programs)Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass CommunicationsAccreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsCommission on Collegiate Nursing EducationNational Association of Schools of Music Commission on AccreditationNational Association of Schools of Art and Design Commission on Accreditation

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Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco State University

Common questions from international students considering San Francisco State University.

What is the acceptance rate at San Francisco State University?

San Francisco State University is classified as "Open (60%+)" by admissions selectivity. Acceptance rates vary by program — competitive programs and graduate degrees typically have lower acceptance rates than undergraduate programs.

How much does San Francisco State University cost for international students?

Tuition at San Francisco State University ranges from $20.4k - $26.0k/yr per year. Costs vary by degree level and program. International students may also need to budget for housing, books, and living expenses.

What is San Francisco State University ranked globally?

San Francisco State University holds the following rankings: QS World #1401, Times Higher Education #401, #178 in United States. Rankings vary by methodology and subject area — for the most accurate picture, check the specific subject rankings for your intended field of study.

What English language requirements does San Francisco State University have?

San Francisco State University typically requires IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+ for international students. Specific programs may set higher minimums — verify requirements for your target program directly. Some applicants may qualify for an English requirement waiver if their previous education was English-medium.

Are scholarships available at San Francisco State University?

Yes, San Francisco State University offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students. Available aid varies by program, nationality, and academic merit. We recommend checking each program's funding page and applying early — many scholarships have separate deadlines from the main admission application.

When does San Francisco State University start its semesters?

San Francisco State University has intakes starting in August, January. Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.

How many English-taught programs does San Francisco State University offer?

San Francisco State University offers 35+ programs taught in English, accessible to international students without local language proficiency. These span Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels across multiple disciplines.

Where is San Francisco State University located?

San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, United States 🇺🇸. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.

What are the admission requirements for San Francisco State University?

For specific details about San Francisco State University, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

What programs does San Francisco State University offer?

For specific details about San Francisco State University, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

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