For partners San Francisco State University
Programs and prices, tuition fees in San Francisco State University
Bachelor
- Age – from 18 years (completed secondary education)
- The term of training is 4 years.
Some programs:
- Accounting
- African Studies
- Anthropology
- Applied mathematics
- Art
- Astrophysics
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Business Administration
- Chinese
- Computer Engineering
- Writing
- Ecology
- English language
- Geography.
Master
- Age – from 22 years (completed bachelor's degree)
- The term of training is from 2 years.
Some specialties:
- Geographic Informatics
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Psychology
- International relations
- Kinesiology
- Education
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Museum business
- Nursing
- Philosophy
- Political science
- Public administration
- Public health.
Minor Programs
- General Biology
- Professional writing, rhetoric
- Studies on Race and Resistance
- South Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Urban planning, planning
- Gender Studies
- World music, dances
- World development
- Animation
- African Studies
- Art
- History
- Chemistry
- Communication.
Certification
- Age – from 18 years
- The term of training is from 12 disciplines.
Direction:
- Animation
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Causes of climate change, impacts and solutions
- Conflictology
- Cooperative education
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science, Machine Learning for Biotechnology
- Digital Media Production
- English language
- Ethnography
- Film, media research
- History
- Inclusive education
- Audit of information technologies.
Doctoral programs
- Age: 23+.
- Duration: 3-4 years.
- Language: English.
There are several doctoral programs focused on scientific research and training specialists for education and medicine.
- The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program prepares school leaders and educational organization administrators: students study educational systems management, education policy, and conduct their own research.
- Ph.D. in Education (Special Education) is offered jointly with University of California, Berkeley, and is dedicated to research in special education and inclusive educational practices.
- Finally, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is conducted together with University of California, San Francisco: students study physical therapy methods and complete clinical practice in medical facilities.
Doctoral students participate in academic seminars, conduct their own research, and prepare a dissertation or professional project.
MBA
- Age: 21+.
- Duration: 2 years.
- Language: English.
The MBA program is taught at Lam Family College of Business and is focused on preparing managers for businesses and technology companies in the San Francisco region. The curriculum is built around key management disciplines: strategic management, corporate finance, marketing, operations management, business analytics, and entrepreneurship.
A distinctive feature of the program is direct contact with the city's business environment. A significant portion of classes is conducted in the format of case analysis, team projects, and consulting assignments for real companies; students work with the technology sector, startups, and international business.
Some courses take place at the university's Downtown Campus in San Francisco's financial district — this allows inviting business practitioners, conducting joint classes with companies, and organizing internships.
The program offers several specialization tracks: business analytics, finance, marketing, management decision analysis, and international business. Students choose one track and study the corresponding disciplines in depth.
Preparatory Programs
- Age: 17+.
- Duration: 8-16 weeks.
- Language: English.
Preparatory programs are held at the American Language Institute (ALI) — the language center of San Francisco State University. They are designed for international students who plan to enroll in the university's academic programs, want to improve their English proficiency, and adapt to the American higher education system.
The main program is called English for Academic Preparation. It includes intensive academic English classes: reading and analyzing university texts, academic writing, developing speaking skills and seminar participation skills. Students learn to take lecture notes, prepare presentations, write research papers, and work with scholarly sources.
Classes are held several times a week in small groups. Instructors focus not only on language but also on skills necessary for university studies: project preparation, teamwork, and seminar discussions.
As part of the course, students gain access to campus resources — the library, study spaces, and student infrastructure. Orientation events are held concurrently, introducing students to the university environment and life in San Francisco.
Upon completing the program, students can continue their studies in the university's academic programs or use the skills they have gained to apply to other universities in the USA.
Summer Courses
- Age: 16+.
- Duration: 5-10 weeks.
- Language: English.
Summer programs are designed for students who want to take academic courses, improve their English, and get a feel for campus life. In the summer, the university opens a separate academic term — Summer Session, during which students can study full university disciplines and earn academic credits. Students choose courses from various fields: business, economics, media, art — over 10 options in total. Classes are held in an intensive format: lectures, seminars, group projects, and written assignments.
For international students, there is the Summer in San Francisco program, which combines academic classes with a cultural program and an introduction to the city. Participants visit museums, famous neighborhoods of San Francisco, the ocean coastline, and national parks of California.
Also in the summer, language courses at the American Language Institute are available, where students study academic English and prepare for admission to US universities.
Summer courses offer the opportunity to live on campus, use the university library, sports and study facilities, and gain the experience of studying at a real American university.
Description of San Francisco State University
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Year of foundation: 1899
- Language of instruction: English
- Number of students: more than 27 000
- Type of education: mixed.
San Francisco State University (SFSU) was founded in 1899 as an ordinary school, then worked as a public college - the status of the university received only in 1972.
This institution is accredited by the WASC College and University Accreditation Commission. Due to the high level of education, SFSU is in the rankings of the best universities in the United States.
SFSU has a talisman – an alligator, symbolizing strength and resilience.
About 27,000 students study here every year. The teaching staff consists of 683 permanent specialists + about 1000 variables. There are usually fewer than 25 students in a classroom and a student-teacher ratio of 23:1.
The university has several colleges:
- Humanities, arts
- business
- education
- Ethnic Studies
- Health, Social Sciences
- Science and technology
- Advanced education.
Educational process
Studies are organized on a semester system: the program includes required disciplines, elective courses, and university-wide subjects that students take throughout the entire period of study.
The format of classes depends on the field of study. Humanities and social programs are dominated by lectures and seminars, while natural science and engineering specialties involve regular laboratory work and participation in research projects. In creative fields — film, design, visual arts, theater — learning takes place in studios and workshops, where students work on practical projects and build professional portfolios.
Many programs include internships. Students gain practical experience at companies in San Francisco and Silicon Valley — in the technology sector, media, business, education, and healthcare.
Students can participate in departmental research projects and present the results of their work at annual university academic forums.
Faculties and colleges
The university consists of seven colleges, which include schools, departments, and research units; over 200 educational programs are available in total.
- Lam Family College of Business
Business school: courses include accounting, finance, marketing, international business, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and hospitality management. It holds international AACSB accreditation.
- College of Science and Engineering
Science and engineering programs: computer science, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, statistics, engineering, and data science.
- College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Humanities and creative disciplines: programs in film, journalism, design, visual arts, music, theater, foreign languages, history, philosophy, and literature.
- College of Health and Social Sciences
Programs in public health, social work, psychology, criminology, kinesiology, child development, and rehabilitation sciences.
- Graduate College of Education
The College of Education and Educational Research prepares teachers, specialists in education policy, school administration, and curriculum development.
- College of Ethnic Studies
Founded in 1969: it focuses on the history, culture, and social processes of various ethnic communities.
- College of Professional & Global Education
The division of professional and continuing education; it oversees professional development programs, international programs, and preparatory courses for international students.
Scientific achievements
San Francisco State University actively develops research in natural sciences, engineering, public health, climatology, and social sciences. A significant portion of scientific work is concentrated in the College of Science and Engineering: scientists conduct research in Pacific coast ecology, biochemistry, oceanography, climate processes, computer science, and data analysis.
In 2024, the university received major support from scientific and corporate foundations: Genentech Foundation allocated $14 million for the development of scientific programs, and Gilead Foundation provided $3.5 million for equipping the laboratories of the new Science and Engineering Innovation Center.
Researchers regularly receive National Science Foundation grants, including prestigious NSF CAREER awards for early-career researchers.
Things to know about
- Own academic journals. The university publishes scientific and student publications, including the history journal Ex Post Facto and the international relations journal International Relations Journal.
Accommodation, meals, prices
SFSU students live in several buildings:
Mansanit Square is a two-story building next to the campus. Second-year and older students live here. Accommodation options and the cost of housing for the year:
- Studio
- Standard
- Double Deluxe
- Double plus
- Double average apartment
- Single occupancy
- Double standard apartment
- Apartments with double beds
The towers on centennial square are buildings with accommodation for two or three people.
Junior Suites in Towers is a dormitory for first- and second-year students.
University Park North is a 24-acre property next to a shopping mall. It is home to students who have received translation, and recently returned to eduacte students.
South University Park is a residential complex opposite the campus. It is also home to transfer students and those who are recovering from the curriculum.
The village on Centennial Square is an apartment community that includes a number of residential communities, a social way of life. On the territory there is a convenience store.
Mary Park Hall and Mary Ward Hall are freshman dormitories.
All living quarters of the seven dormitories have furniture, plumbing and appliances. The price includes: utilities, laundry, Wi-Fi.
Meal plans for all dormitories:
- 19 weekly meals
- 15 meals per week
- 12 meals per week
Activities San Francisco State University
In his spare time, the student can devote himself to additional development - physical, creative, intellectual. SFSU is famous for its strong sports teams in athletics, football and basketball.
- Wellness center – sports sections, fitness rooms, Pilates, yoga lessons, etc.
- Open fields for team games, climbing wall, tennis courts, jogging tracks, etc.
- Dance lessons
- Classes in the pool
- Hiking tours in nature with the program Outdoor Trips
- Theatre productions
- Organization and participation in concerts, exhibitions
- Events of various directions: religious, social, scientific, psychological.
The university actively studies and promotes the topics of sex education, mental and physical health.
Almost every student is a member of one of the many student associations: "Active Minds", "African Students", international women's societies, volunteering and much more.
Advantages
- Participation in academic rankings: Forbes, THE WSJ
- Global and regional rankings: US News & World Report
- 12th place among the best universities in the United States according to PayScale and CollegeNet
- One of the top eight universities with a master's program in philosophy
- The only university in California to offer a bachelor's degree program in technical and professional writing, a master's program in classical literature
- One of the top 20 universities adopted by the State Bar Association
- The Film Department is one of the best in the world according to Variety, The Hollywood Recorter
- Graduates of the Department of Cinema received more than 13 Oscar awards.
Facilities and equipment at San Francisco State University
The territory of the university is divided into 4 blocks: south-east, south-west, north-east, north-west.
Buildings located on SFSU Square:
- Academic buildings: faculties, scientific laboratories, lecture rooms
- Residential campuses
- Conference halls, meeting rooms
- Medical Center
- Administrative buildings
- Children's campus
- bookshop
- Student Clubs
- Sports facilities: fields for team games, gyms, etc.
- parking.
The SFSU Children's Campus accepts children during their parents' education. Age in groups - from 6 months to 5 years. The center is open monday through Friday from 8:30 to 16:40.
Admission dates and extra charges
Important dates of the school year:
- Summer shift: June-July, July-August
- Spring semester: January-May
- Spring session: May
- Fall semester: August-December.
In the winter months, calendar holidays and weekends (Saturday, Sunday) students rest.
Additional annual expenses include:
- Books, consumables
- Accommodation, meals
- Transport
- Personal expenses (mobile communication, clothes, rest, etc.)
- Sports activities on campus
- Children's center (if necessary)
- Student societies
- Medical care.
Enrolment process
- The applicant selects a program and prepares a document package.
- San Francisco State University accepts the application and registers the candidacy in the admissions system. The admissions committee reviews the documents and forwards them for academic evaluation to the corresponding college or department.
- After the review is completed, the committee makes a decision on admission or rejection. In the case of a positive decision, the applicant must confirm their intention to study at the university.
- Then it is necessary to pay a tuition deposit, which secures a place in the program, after which the student receives further instructions, attends orientation, and arrives on campus at the beginning of the semester.
Enrolment statistics
In 2025, the university received 31,430 applications for the first year, admission was offered to 26,431 applicants, and 2,779 people began their studies.
Perspectives
Graduates build careers in business, media, technology, education, healthcare, and the public sector. Proximity to Silicon Valley and major San Francisco companies helps students find internships and jobs in technology, biomedical, and financial organizations in the region, such as Apple, Google, Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo. Many graduates go on to pursue master's and doctoral programs at U.S. universities.
Among notable alumni of San Francisco State University are actors Danny Glover and Annette Bening, comedian Dana Carvey, singer Johnny Mathis; in total, the alumni network numbers hundreds of thousands of people and spans various sectors of the U.S. economy.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
Applicants to SFSU undergraduate programs will need:
- Mandatory preparatory courses with an assessment from C- and above
- GPA tests – from 2.5 points for residents of California, from 3.0 points – for foreign students
- Certificate of secondary education
- Transcripts
- Student Study Visa for Foreigners
- SAT/ACT tests – from 3570 and 842 points, respectively
- TOEFL (from 61 points)/IELTS (from 6.0)/PTE (from 45).
Application dates:
- Autumn: October 1-December 15
- Spring: August 1-August 31.
For admission to the magistracy, Russian students will need:
- Bachelor's, Specialist's, Master's degree
- Transcripts from former places of study
- Letters
- GPA equivalent – GPA should be from B and above
- TOEFL (from 61 points)/IELTS (from 6.0)/PTE (from 45).
- Student study visa.
Scholarships San Francisco State University
Any SFSU pupil can receive financial assistance, is entitled to scholarships and grants.
- Emergency financial assistance provides a temporary discount on tuition fees
- Federal grants: Pella grant, additional education
- State Grants: State University Grant, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, EOP Grant, Chafee Grant
- Scholarships based on academic success, active research activities, sports achievements, etc.
- Loans: direct federal loans, Parent Plus, Graduate Plus, alternative programs of banks.
Basically, all options for financial assistance are a discount or full coverage of tuition fees.
Literature and references
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San Francisco State University — Wiki
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San Francisco State University - Profile, Rankings and Data — U.S. News & World Report
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San Francisco State University — Niche
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San Francisco State University — Forbes
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San Francisco State University — Top Universities
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San Francisco State University — Data USA
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San Francisco State University — Britannica
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about San Francisco State University
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
