California State University-Fresno vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fresno than San Francisco State ($7,834 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 46.3% lower than at San Francisco State University ($11,960 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $600 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at San Francisco State than at California State University Fresno (about $600 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at San Francisco State University (85% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 5.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($12,996 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Francisco State and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Francisco State University (1030) is 30 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming San Francisco State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Francisco State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than California State University-Fresno (95.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

California State University-Fresno vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and San Francisco State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($155 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.