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University of San Francisco

Private Nonprofit Graduate Good 64/100

University of San Francisco

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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San Francisco, California

About University of San Francisco

University of San Francisco is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in San Francisco, California. It enrolls 5,287 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: usfca.edu

Acceptance: 61.7%
Graduation: 73%
Net Price: $41,431
Median Earnings (10yr): $89,812
Enrollment: 5,287
Student : Faculty: 12:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good

64/100

UCD Score · 4-Year Selective

Outcomes 71

Value 27

Affordability 20

Selectivity 77

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 61.7%, University of San Francisco is moderately selective.

Acceptance Rate

61.7%

Moderate

SAT Range (25th–75th)

1190 – 1390

Reading + Math combined

ACT Range (25th–75th)

25 – 30

Cumulative composite

Test Policy Not Considered Standardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of San Francisco is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Getting more selective ↓ 13.6 pts since 2019

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending University of San Francisco isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $41,431 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$41,431

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

28%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

47%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees: $60,492
Room & Board (on-campus): $19,764
Room & Board (off-campus): $17,100
Books & Supplies: $500
Other Expenses (on-campus): $4,028
Other Expenses (off-campus): $7,166
Total Cost of Attendance: $80,141

Application fee: $70 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$31,537
$30,001 – $48,000

$33,207
$48,001 – $75,000

$34,315
$75,001 – $110,000

$38,933
Over $110,000

$52,497

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$5,500

10% percentile

$12,000

25% percentile

$23,000

Median percentile

$28,350

75% percentile

$34,750

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $19,674 ↓ $3,326

No Pell $16,250 ↓ $6,750

Dependent students $18,750 ↓ $4,250

Independent students $24,425 ↑ $1,425

Female students $19,500 ↓ $3,500

Male students $18,486 ↓ $4,514

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,625, less than completers ($23,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

73% of full-time students who enrolled at University of San Francisco graduate within six years, and 82% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

73%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

82%

Returning for their second year

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of San Francisco earn a median of $89,812 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$89,812

Earning > $25K

87%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$69,900

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$81,600

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)

$70,600

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)

$70,900

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)

$77,300

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $11,700, about 14% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑ 17.0 pts across 6 years

What this signals: Excellent. 89% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.

Who Studies Here

University of San Francisco is home to 5,287 students, a large student community.

Total Enrolled

5,287

Part-Time

First-Generation

28%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

Asian 26.6% 1,407

White 22.5% 1,189

Hispanic 22.4% 1,185

Other 10.8% 569

International 9.1% 480

Black 8.1% 429

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at University of San Francisco. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Large City San Francisco, California

Housing

Mostly residential 2,715 beds on campus

Adult Learners

6% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Semester scheduling structure

Designation

Religiously affiliated

What You Can Study

University of San Francisco offers an extensive catalog of programs: 85 distinct programs across 24 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

12 Programs

Business

Management Sciences $86K ($62K–$115K)
Finance $83K ($61K–$112K)
Marketing $69K ($50K–$93K)

7 Programs

Health

Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Public Health $59K ($42K–$79K)

5 Programs

Computer Science

Data Processing $76K ($50K–$108K)
Computer Science $107K ($75K–$152K)
Information Systems $92K ($64K–$128K)

2 Programs

Legal Studies

Law $143K ($74K–$297K)
Legal Research $63K ($47K–$84K)

2 Programs

Recreation & Fitness

Kinesiology $55K ($39K–$73K)
Kinesiology $55K ($39K–$73K)

3 Programs

Communication

Communication & Media $56K ($40K–$76K)
Communication & Media $56K ($40K–$76K)
Public Relations $64K ($46K–$84K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of San Francisco is 12:1, close to the national average.

Student : Faculty

12:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Endowment

$991M

Solid financial position

Avg Faculty Salary

$126,647

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

450 instructional faculty across 4 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
Full Professors	162	36%	$156,072
Associate Professors	158	35%	$120,886
Assistant Professors	116	26%	$98,067
Instructors	14	3%	$87,980

Pros & Cons of University of San Francisco

A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of San Francisco tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Above-average graduation rate
Above-average post-graduation earnings

CONS

High net price compared to most US colleges
Very high published cost of attendance (full-pay families pay much more than the net-price average)

Best for: Based on the data, University of San Francisco is a fit for students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of San Francisco

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of San Francisco.

Is University of San Francisco hard to get into?

Admissions at University of San Francisco are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 61.7%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.

What is the acceptance rate at University of San Francisco?

University of San Francisco has an acceptance rate of 61.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

What SAT score do you need for University of San Francisco?

The middle 50% of admitted students at University of San Francisco scored between 1190 and 1390 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

What ACT score do you need for University of San Francisco?

The middle 50% of admitted students at University of San Francisco scored between 25 and 30 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

How much does University of San Francisco cost?

The average net price after aid at University of San Francisco is $41,431 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is University of San Francisco worth it?

Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $89,812 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $41,431 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is University of San Francisco known for?

University of San Francisco is best known for its programs in Nursing, Counseling Psychology, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do University of San Francisco graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering University of San Francisco are $89,812, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is University of San Francisco accredited?

Yes. University of San Francisco is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

How many students attend University of San Francisco?

University of San Francisco enrolls 5,287 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at University of San Francisco?

University of San Francisco graduates 73% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is University of San Francisco a public or private college?

University of San Francisco is a Private Nonprofit institution.

Where is University of San Francisco located?

University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California.

What programs does University of San Francisco offer?

University of San Francisco offers 85 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Counseling Psychology, Nursing.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of San Francisco?

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of San Francisco is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.