FIDM LA vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Francisco State University is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA 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 San Francisco State University than FIDM LA ($13,168 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising are 0.8% lower than at San Francisco State University ($22,086 vs. $22,266).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 340.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $27,050 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at FIDM LA than at San Francisco State University (about $14,450 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising than at San Francisco State University (78% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 6.4% larger than aid received by San Francisco State University students ($13,834 vs. $12,996).

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA 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 FIDM LA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Francisco State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($13,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($134 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.