San Francisco State University

In 2021, tuition for full-time SF State students was $7,522 a year for in-state students and $19,402 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 19,402 per year for tuition at San Francisco State University.

San Francisco State University meets 61.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend San Francisco State University full-time are awarded $15,025 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $6,167 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,522 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $19,402 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to verify your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

San Francisco State University International Student Tuition

San Francisco State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at San Francisco State University can expect to pay around $19,402 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or San Francisco State University-specific aid and scholarships.

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San Francisco State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at San Francisco State University.

House and Food Costs at San Francisco State University

Housing and campus dining at San Francisco State University costs $19,176 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at San Francisco State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. San Francisco State Universityis in a city in California.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at San Francisco State University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to San Francisco State University.

Total Cost of San Francisco State University

What will the cost of attending San Francisco State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,522
Out-of-State Tuition	$19,402
Room and Board	$19,176
Other expenses	$2,736

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at San Francisco State University

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The majority of San Francisco State University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 12,951 of the 21,868 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. San Francisco State University meets 61.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,025 a year. Around 27% of San Francisco State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. San Francisco State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $6,167 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$5,711
San Francisco State University-Specific Loans	$2,000
Private Loans	$12,334

Most Common Loans for San Francisco State University Students
Federal Loans	26%
Private loans	1%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on San Francisco State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at San Francisco State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, San Francisco State University awarded 12,235 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $125.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of San Francisco State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for San Francisco State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at San Francisco State University was $15,025 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of San Francisco State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$275
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,876
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$27,180

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending San Francisco State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the San Francisco State University's net cost calculator on their website.

San Francisco State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

SF State Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

San Francisco State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about San Francisco State University's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About San Francisco State University

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To learn more about San Francisco State University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

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