San Francisco State University (SFSU) vs Sac State

When it comes to higher education in California, San Francisco State University (SFSU) and California State University-Sacramento (CSUS) stand out as two prominent choices for prospective students. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life, they also have distinct characteristics that set them apart. SFSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students, while CSUS has a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating a strong commitment to student success. In terms of student demographics, SFSU has a more diverse student body, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of San Francisco, while CSUS has a larger student population overall. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more, including popular majors, tuition fees, and campus culture. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	California State University-Sacramento	San Francisco State University
Overview
Location	Sacramento, California	San Francisco, California
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	81.0%	85.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	93.7%	92.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	22,706	27,777
Total number of admissions given out	21,272	25,809
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,581	3,149
Yield rate	16.8%	12.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,488 Out of state: $43,368	In state: $30,675 Out of state: $42,555
Average net price	$7,778	$13,641
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,744 Meal plan: $5,030	Room/dormitory: $10,134 Meal plan: $4,392
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $9,769	72.0% Average amount $9,586
Students receiving federal student loan	18.0% Average amount $4,607	19.0% Average amount $4,829
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $12,368	1.0% Average amount $13,379

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	29,451 Men 42.8% Women 57.2%	23,424 Men 44.5% Women 55.5%
Graduate students	3,047 Men 32.9% Women 67.1%	3,475 Men 34.7% Women 65.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	1.6%	1.6%
International students	4.0%	7.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,173	4,332
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Arizona Hawaii Alaska	California Washington Oregon Texas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Education Social Sciences Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Education Visual & Performing Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Business
Students to faculty ratio	25:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	57.5%	53.7%
Dropout rate	32.1%	35.5%
Transferred out	3.8%	7.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $105,852 Year 2: $108,495 Year 3: $114,088 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,797 Year 2: $90,412 Year 3: $101,346 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,148 Year 2: $80,779 Year 3: $91,338 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,787 Year 2: $80,022 Year 3: $90,507 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,004 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $89,399 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,951 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $85,246 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,130 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $82,173 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,865 Year 2: $73,739 Year 3: $81,304 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,510 Year 2: $67,240 Year 3: $80,353 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,158 Year 2: $64,406 Year 3: $73,910	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,349 Year 2: $112,270 Year 3: $136,160 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates) Year 1: $111,466 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $134,876 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $99,655 Year 2: $111,769 Year 3: $118,952 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $88,331 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $92,910 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,088 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $89,726 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,510 Year 2: $80,124 Year 3: $88,723 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,988 Year 2: $72,605 Year 3: $85,412 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,876 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $82,073 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,604 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,061 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $70,296 Year 3: $78,899

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between San Francisco State University (SFSU) and California State University-Sacramento (Sac State)?

SFSU is located in a vibrant, urban environment in San Francisco, offering a more diverse and fast-paced atmosphere. Sac State, situated in Sacramento, provides a more traditional campus setting with a focus on community engagement and a slightly lower cost of living. SFSU is known for its strong programs in film, journalism, and hospitality, while Sac State excels in government, public policy, and engineering.
Which university is located in a more urban setting?

San Francisco State University (SFSU) is located in a bustling urban environment within San Francisco. California State University-Sacramento (Sac State) is located in Sacramento, which is a metropolitan area but offers a more suburban campus feel compared to SFSU.
How do the costs of attending SFSU and Sac State compare?

Generally, tuition and fees are similar between SFSU and Sac State as they are both part of the California State University system. However, the overall cost of attendance, including housing and living expenses, tends to be higher at SFSU due to the higher cost of living in San Francisco compared to Sacramento.
Which university is known for its specific academic programs?

SFSU is particularly well-regarded for its programs in film, journalism, and hospitality management. Sac State is known for its strong programs in government, public policy, criminal justice, and engineering, especially civil and environmental engineering.
What is the campus culture like at SFSU versus Sac State?

SFSU's campus culture is known for its diversity, activism, and artistic expression, reflecting the spirit of San Francisco. Sac State's campus culture emphasizes community involvement, student support, and a more traditional college experience. Sac State also has a larger percentage of students who are first-generation college students.
How do the class sizes typically compare between SFSU and Sac State?

Both SFSU and Sac State are large universities, so class sizes can vary. However, Sac State generally has slightly larger class sizes, particularly in introductory courses, compared to SFSU. Both universities strive to provide opportunities for smaller, more personalized learning experiences in upper-division courses.
What are the transportation options like at each university?

SFSU benefits from San Francisco's extensive public transportation system, including BART and Muni, making it easy to get around the city without a car. Sac State offers ample parking on campus and is accessible by Sacramento's public transportation system, though having a car is often more convenient for exploring the surrounding area.
Which university has a stronger focus on research opportunities for undergraduates?

Both SFSU and Sac State offer research opportunities for undergraduates. However, SFSU, being closer to major research institutions and industries in the Bay Area, may provide slightly more diverse research opportunities, particularly in fields like biotechnology and environmental science. Sac State also has robust research programs, especially related to state government and regional issues.
How do the career opportunities differ for graduates of SFSU and Sac State?

SFSU graduates benefit from the university's location in the heart of the Bay Area's tech, media, and arts industries, providing access to a wide range of career opportunities. Sac State graduates find strong career prospects in government, public service, healthcare, and engineering sectors in the Sacramento region and throughout California.
What are the athletic programs like at SFSU and Sac State?

Both SFSU and Sac State offer a variety of NCAA Division II athletic programs. Sac State's athletic program is generally larger and more prominent, with a wider range of sports and a stronger emphasis on intercollegiate competition. SFSU also has competitive teams and a focus on student-athlete development.
Are there specific programs that one university offers that the other doesn't?

While there is overlap, SFSU offers unique programs like a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Merchandising and a more extensive Film program. Sac State offers specialized programs like a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a strong emphasis on Water Resources Engineering. It's best to check each university's website for the most up-to-date program offerings.
How does the diversity of the student body compare between SFSU and Sac State?

Both SFSU and Sac State boast diverse student bodies, reflecting the demographics of California. SFSU is known for its particularly high level of ethnic and cultural diversity, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of San Francisco. Sac State also has a diverse student population, with a significant representation of students from the Sacramento region and surrounding areas.

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