Overview
San Francisco, CA University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in San Francisco, California. There are currently 5,980 undergraduates at USF and the school’s acceptance rate is 71%. The tuition at USF is $55,532.
USF is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at USF to help you make an educated decision.
University
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$77,854
$38,747
$39,107
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$77,854for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at USF is $77,854. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at USF would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
University of San Francisco Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of San Francisco need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of San Francisco is 001325.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at USF
If you reside in California and are considering USF, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
Pell Grants at University of San Francisco
29% of students at University of San Francisco receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of San Francisco.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
USF students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
71%
29
1253 is the median SAT score and 29 is the median ACT score for admitted students at USF. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
USF is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to USF via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does USF have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to University of San Francisco will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
USF Supplemental Essay Guide
Is USF test-optional?
University of San Francisco is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into University of San Francisco?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to University of San Francisco receive between a 27 and a 31 on their ACT, or a 1165 and a 1370 on their SAT.
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at USF?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at USF during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At USF students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 15.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at USF, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to USF?
Applying to USF with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Should I apply Early Action at USF?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
13:1
Graduation Rate
74%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
28%
28% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
16%
16% of graduates
Social Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Psychology
9%
9% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Architecture
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
5,980
Pell Grant 28%
Undergrad Students Over 25 6%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%
Percent Male / Female 35% / 65%
Ethnic Diversity at USF
26% Asian / Pacific Islander
24% White
21% Hispanic
10% International / Non-Citizen
10% Multiracial
8% Black
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$89,812
Median Debt $23,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $244
Graduation Rate 74%
What is the graduation rate at University of San Francisco?
74% of students who start at University of San Francisco end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 16% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of San Francisco go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of San Francisco, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $89,812. This is $39,421 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at USF take out in loans?
Graduates of USF have to take out a median of $23,000 in federal student loans. This is $9,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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