National University vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

Compare National University in San Diego, 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 National University based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 22,115 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• National University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National University 16:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

National University vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National University 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 National University ($13,168 vs. $25,043).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Francisco State University are 3.5% lower than at National University ($22,266 vs. $23,076).
• National University is 67.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $5,334 more per year; $13,284.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at San Francisco State than at National University (about $7,266 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $13,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National University than at San Francisco State University (79% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 27.4% larger than aid received by National University students ($12,996 vs. $10,200).

National University vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National University 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 National University.

• National University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: National University - Open admission; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.

National University vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National University 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).

• Graduates from National University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $11,392 lower median loan debt than National University graduates ($17,250 vs. $28,642).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National University graduates ($178 vs. $296).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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.