Acceptance Rate
62%
Avg. SAT
1390
75th percentile
“Jesuit hilltop outpost in foggy San Francisco, where business acumen and nursing rigor collide with city streets.”
San Francisco, CA
Location
The University of San Francisco traces its roots to 1855, when Jesuits established one of the oldest institutions of higher learning west of the Mississippi amid California's Gold Rush fervor. Perched on a steep hilltop in the city's Lone Mountain neighborhood, USF draws students who embrace urban energy, ethical inquiry, and hands-on service—think ambitious types eager for Bay Area internships alongside faith-inspired community work. The school's personality blends rigorous Jesuit traditions with practical career prep, fostering a tight-knit feel despite its city setting. You'll navigate a compact campus with panoramic views of the Golden Gate, but expect the physical challenge of endless stairs and the high cost of living in San Francisco, where off-campus rents quickly strain budgets.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
USF shines in professional fields like the Masagung School of Management for business and entrepreneurship, and its nursing program, which sends graduates straight into Bay Area hospitals. Classrooms emphasize discussion and real-world application, with smaller upper-level seminars contrasting larger intro lectures common in an urban Jesuit school. Research opportunities abound for undergrads, especially in health sciences and sustainability, often linking to city resources like tech firms and clinics. You can expect faculty who integrate ethics into coursework, but popular majors fill quickly, so early declaration helps secure spots.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
5,321 undergrad • 3,592 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
24%
Black / African American
7%
Hispanic / Latino
22%
Asian
22%
Other / Multi-racial
26%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with Dons spirit around basketball games at Memorial Gym, where students pack the stands for West Coast Conference matchups. Residential life centers on freshman halls like Hayes-Healy, fostering quick bonds, though upperclassmen often hunt pricey apartments nearby. A typical week mixes classes, service projects through the Arrupe Center, and evenings exploring North Beach cafes or Golden Gate Park. Traditions like the annual Christmas tree lighting on the quad build community, but San Francisco's fog and chill dampen outdoor plans, and the urban pace means balancing studies with city temptations.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
West Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$30,235
$30K – $48K
$30,787
$48K – $75K
$34,881
$75K – $110K
$39,053
$110K+
$47,896
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
69%
6 Years Graduation Rate
77%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$89,812
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of San Francisco and return in the fall. 69% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 77% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
69%
4-6 years
8%
Non-grad
23%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$54,980
Acceptance
62%
Undergrads
5,321
4-Year Grad Rate
69%
Endowment
$455M
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080