San Francisco State University

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location: Southwest
Setting: Large City Setting
Type: Public
Size: Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad)
Mascot: Gators
Nickname: SFSU
SF State students
SF State students
[source]
San Francisco State University: Quad, Fall 2006
San Francisco State University From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

San Francisco State University (commonly referred to as San Francisco State, SF State, State and SFSU) is a public university located in southwestern San Francisco, California, bordering Lake Merced and Lowell High School, near Fort Funston and Daly City, near the San Mateo County line. The university, as part of the 23-campus California State University system, offers 111 areas of study for bachelor's degrees, 96 for master's, 27 credential programs and 34 certificate programs, from eight academic colleges.

In the year of 2006–2007, approximately 29,628 students were enrolled in the university, of which 80.4% were undergraduate students and 19.53% were graduate students. It is currently ranked as the 48th best masters'-granting university in the Western United States by U.S. News & World Report.

History

  • 1899 - Founded as San Francisco State Normal School.
  • 1901 - First graduating class
  • 1906 - The 1906 earthquake and fire forces the school to relocate from Nob Hill to a new campus at Buchanan and Haight Streets.
  • 1921 - Renamed San Francisco State Teachers College
  • 1923 - First bachelor of arts degree awarded
  • 1935 - Renamed San Francisco State College
  • 1953 - Present campus near Lake Merced opens; it is formally dedicated in October, 1954.
  • 1966 - Beginning of the era of campus protests led by student organizations including the Students for a Democratic Society, the Black Students Union, and the Third World Liberation Front. The protests against college policies and off-campus issues such as the Vietnam War included sit-ins, rallies, marches, teach-ins, and on several occasions violent conflicts with police. The protests were marked by counter-protests and widespread charges of corruption and election fraud in the student newspaper.
  • 1968 - A lengthy student strike erupted that developed into an important event in the history of the U.S. in the late 1960s. It was as significant, or more so, than events that occurred at UC Berkeley. The strike was led by the Third World Liberation Front, supported by Students for a Democratic Society and the Black Students Union, and it demanded a Black Studies program as well as an end to the Vietnam War. This became a major news event for weeks in the aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. At one point, University president S.I. Hayakawa famously pulled the wires out of the speakers on top of a van at a student rally. During the course of the strike large numbers of police drawn from many jurisdictions occupied the campus and over 700 people were arrested on various protest-related charges.
  • 1969 - In March, the strike officially comes to an end, with the administration retaining control of hiring and admissions, and the creation of the School (now College) of Ethnic Studies.
  • 1972 - Received University status as California State University, San Francisco
  • 1974 - Renamed San Francisco State University
  • 1993 - Downtown campus opened
  • 1999 - Celebrated 100th birthday
  • 2007 - New Downtown Extension Campus Opened

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Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Students & Campus Life
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,892
On Campus Housing: Available
Full Time Students: 94%
Athletic Programs: Available
> More Students & Campus Life
Expenses
Average Tuition: $ 13,298
Students Receiving Aid: 56%
> More Expenses & Financial Aid
Admissions
Application Fee: $ 55
Selectivity: Selective
> More Admissions

Students

General
Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 94%
Part-Time 6%
Men vs. Women
Women 65%
Men 35%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 32%
Asian 30%
Other 19%
Hispanic 13%
African-American 6%
Geography
In State vs. Out-of-State
In-State 97%
Out-of-State 3%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
California 97%
New York 0%
Pennsylvania 0%
Oregon 0%
Texas 0%
Percent of Students International: 6%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 6%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: No

Athletics

Member of: NAA, NCAA
Sports Include: Basketball (California Collegiate Athletic Assoc)
Baseball (California Collegiate Athletic Assoc)
Track (California Collegiate Athletic Assoc)
Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) In-State Out-of-State  
Published Tuition and Fees:
$ 3,128 $ 13,298  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
$ 0 $ 10,170  
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads:
$ 3,128 $ 3,128  
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
$ 3,501 31%  
State and Local Grants:
$ 1,887 35%  
Institutional Grants:
$ 2,402 30%  
Student Loans:
$ 3,393 28%  
Any Aid:
  56%  

Selectivity (Undergraduate Only)

Acceptance Rate: 67% (Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 77%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 430, Math: 450
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 570, Math: 570
ACT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting ACT Scores: 17%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Composite: 18, Verbal: 17, Math: 17
Top 75th Percentile: Composite: 23, Verbal: 24, Math: 24

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 55.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Not Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Required
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Not Required
High School Record: Not Required
Recommendations: Not Required
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Required

Degree Programs at San Francisco State University

Bachelor's Level Majors

College Advice

Yahoo
are these schools generally more party schools or more "serious study?"
12 months ago
Best Answer
I live in San Francisco and I know of both schools. San Francisco State seems more like a party school to me than University of San Francisco. San Francisco State is a pretty good place to go to school, especially for media if that's your thing. It's close by to a mall (right next to one). It's a CSU and a public school. I'd have to say that the University of San Francisco is more serious study. It's a Jesuit school that I believe is a graduate school or more known for its graduate colleges than its undergraduate school (if it has any).
i have a 3.0 over all Gpa and i am wondering if with that and some good SAT scores i can get into San Francisco State University?
15 months ago
Best Answer
I don't think you have much to worry about SFSU. Besides a select few (Cal Poly SLO and maybe more impacted schools like Long Beach, if I remember correctly), most CSUs will accept students as long as the combination of their SAT or ACT scores with their GPA are balanced out in the end. With a 3.00 or higher, you don't need a really really good SAT score. A more detailed explanation on this is in the link I provided below this post. I believe it's based off a combination of reading comprehension and math, the first two sections of the SAT. Unless things have changed, I believe the writing section is ignored in the CSU system.
average gpa and sat/act scores
16 months ago
Best Answer
Well to get into any CSU or UC system, the basic requirement is to follow the A through G path. Because SF is a CSU, you do not need to take the SAT/ACT if you have an unweighted GPA of 3.0. They still suggest you to take those tests anyways. Meeting the minimum requirements does not mean automatic admissions, but the higher the better. You might also want to join a few clubs and be active in them so your resume to college looks impressive. Hope this will help you! Good luck!
I have to choose between San Francisco State University or CSU East Bay. Which would be better for a nursing major?
16 months ago
Best Answer
There is usually a correlation between medical schools and nursing schools, and SFSU is one of the best of both in the country. You can get a pretty good ranking below - worth the money if you're making a life-decision. US News does a great job of ranking and providing useful information.
I'm a senior in high school and I have to choose between UC Davis, SFState, or USF and I've decided that I want to take up either pre-med or nursing. I don't think UC Davis has a nursing program, but I was wondering if it has a pre-med, etc. major that could steer me on the right path to becoming a nurse or doctor? USF and SFState have nursing programs, but i really want to go to Davis. I just don't know if it has any program for me that would lead me on my chosen career path. Please help me choose and/or answer these questions. Thanks a bunch!!!! :]
17 months ago
Best Answer
If you want to be a nurse, you should aim for either USF or SF state. UC Davis doesn't have a nursing program. I have a friend who majored in human development and chicano studies but she later on decided that she wants to be a nurse. Now she's having trouble getting aid from FAFSA because she exceeded her 4 years of undergraduate education. So, if you're positively sure that you want to be a nurse, you should pick USF or SF State. If I were you, I would probably choose USF.
Whether it be education, environment, or life experience, which university do you think is better? SFSU or Cal Poly Pomona? Sorry that I did not mention this before, but my major is Sociology or Behavioural Sciences.
17 months ago
Best Answer
I'm a Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Alumus and I would recommend San Francisco State for you major. Cal Poly is better known for Engineering with San Luis Obispo having the better reputation of the two. Also, I'm not a big fan of the LA area. You need a car to get places while SF has a pretty good public transportations. Also, in SF you get all types of people while in Pomona, you're more isolated. Definately a better life experience in SF... you get the big city feel withouth the smog and crime of LA. Also, the smog from LA ends up over Pamona.
Best Answer
Yes. I'm not sure how the semester or quarter system works at SFSU but I can give you an example from a school with three semesters per year (fall, spring, & summer). A B.A. is normally around ~120 credit hours (or equivalent quarter hours) and most students take the summer semester off. 12 credit hours per semester is considered full-time in this system and over 18 credit hours is an overload. So let's say you averaged 15 credit hours per semester, and you didn't go to college in the summer (most college students don't). That would leave 2 semesters (fall and spring). 15 credit hours TIMES 2 semesters EQUALS 30 credit hours per year. 30 credit hours TIMES 4 years EQUALS 120 credit hours (your normal B.A. degree). However, if you attended college in the summer as well, you'd have 3 semesters per year. 3 semesters TIMES 15 credit hours per semester EQUALS 45 credit hours per year. 45 credit hours TIMES 3 years EQUALS 135 credit hours, way more than you need for a B.A. degree. However, normally you wouldn't take so many credit hours in the summer semester because summer semesters are usually short and quick-paced. Bottom line is that it's totally up to you when you graduate. It's all about getting the required semester/quarter hours. Once you fulfill that requirement, you graduate. So take courses year-round and take a little bit above the minimum to get your degree in 3 years.
Best Answer
If you're referring to San Francisco State University, it's one of the best bargains around. As a CSU, San Fran State will cost a fraction of what other schools charge. You'll be in the heart of one of the most exciting cities in the world with options for amazing internships (which will be required in almost all majors!). If you're referring to the University of San Francisco, this is a private school which is far more expensive, but offers a comprehensive education, small class sizes and a wide variety of majors. You have the same city to live in, but the numerous advantages of attending a private, small, nurturing college. If you're referring to UC San Francisco, this is only open to students for graduate work, and if you're accepted, you will be well on your way to success in your professional life. Good luck!
Best Answer
If I had the choice I would go with San Fran. It's a great school, great city, I'm sure the program is fine, Buffalo is cold!!!!!
Okay, i have some questions concerning this school: First, how is the social life on campus? If i live on campus, can i expect a fun atmosphere with fun people and parties or a boring atmosphere (i'm talking about the Village at Centennial Square...i'll be living there)... how is living at Village at Centennial Square? Second, will i need a car if i live on campus? Or is public transit suitable? Third, what is thier to do in San Francisco - what do the college kids do on weekend and such for fun? And finally, overall - is San Francisco State a good school... academically and socially?
18 months ago
Best Answer
SF State is more of a commuter school. I've never stayed at the Village, but it's brand new and looks very nice. You don't need a car in SF. It's more of a hassle than anything IMO. If you do have one, I hope it's a compact and that you don't care if the bumpers get all messed up. SF has a great public transportation system. Bus stop is right in front of the school. Stonestown Mall is right next door. It's not known for it's academic rep, but that's common knowledge about pretty much all the Cal States considering CA has the UC system as well.
Best Answer
It's a great question to ask. While I am a San Francisco State University student, I also had to make a tough choice between where to go in life. So let me pass-on some advice: It depends on what you are interested in doing (majoring) in college. You need to take about 2 years worth of general education before you start on your major work, so if you feel that the university or college you choose does not have what you need, you can always transfer. If you feel interested in majoring in Business, SFSU is one of the best and least expensive business programs in the nation. If you are also interested in Ethnic studies (from Native American, Hispanic American, Asian American, to African American), SFSU is the only college of ethnic studies in the nation, and one of the first universities in the country to demand ethnic studies. If you feel concerned that your budget is very tight, consider taking courses at a community college. In California, they are only $26/unit vs. the $1,200 tuition fees at SFSU. You may feel that some of your GE courses may be impacted at SFSU, so a community college is a fine option too to get over that hump. Some other things about San Francisco (in general): Ethnically and culturally diverse, interesting neighborhoods, great attractions, easy public transportation, theme parks within a 40 minute drive, and the lovely Golden Gate Bridge! Good luck on your choices for the future.

Photos

  • SF State students
    SF State students [source]
  • Student Union Building
    Student Union Building [source]

Videos

  • San Francisco State University: Quad, Fall 2006
  • San Francisco State Community Service Learning