San Francisco State vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

San Francisco State vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or San Jose 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 San Jose State ($13,168 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 5.8% lower than at San Francisco State University ($20,971 vs. $22,266).
• San Jose State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $460 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at San Jose State than at San Francisco State University (about $460 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at San Jose State University (77% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 5.2% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($12,996 vs. $12,353).

San Francisco State vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or San Jose 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 Jose State and San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 100 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

San Francisco State vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and San Jose 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).

• The graduation rate at San Francisco State is the same as at San Jose State University (46% vs. 46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($155 vs. $178).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.