California State University-Fresno vs San Francisco State University
California State University-Fresno is a public university in Fresno, CA. San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, CA. California State University-Fresno admits about 95% of applicants and San Francisco State University about 96%, making California State University-Fresno the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $7,000 a year at California State University-Fresno after aid, and about $12,278 at San Francisco State University. About 56% of students graduate at California State University-Fresno, compared with 50% at San Francisco State University. Ten years after enrolling, San Francisco State University alumni earn a median of about $68,077, against $61,244 for California State University-Fresno.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Fresno, CA
San Francisco, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
21,605
18,639
Acceptance rate
95%
96%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.06–3.56
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
890–1100
930–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
16–21
16–23
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,000
$12,278
Full cost / yr
$20,095
$26,488
In-state tuition
$7,350
$7,950
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
$20,550
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$5,105
$9,341
$30k - $48k
$5,429
$9,867
$48k - $75k
$7,196
$11,825
$75k - $110k
$10,291
$14,556
Over $110k
$16,899
$22,523
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
50%
Freshman retention
82%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,012
$52,650
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,244
$68,077
Median debt at graduation
$14,505
$15,371
Student body
Pell grant recipients
57%
42%
First-generation students
53%
48%
International students
2%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 1
Apr 15
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University harder to get into?
- California State University-Fresno is harder to get into. It admits about 95% of applicants, compared with 96% at San Francisco State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University?
- California State University-Fresno is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,000 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,278 at San Francisco State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Fresno and San Francisco State University?
- Before aid, California State University-Fresno costs about $20,095 a year and San Francisco State University about $26,488. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University?
- California State University-Fresno. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,105 there, against about $9,341 at San Francisco State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University?
- California State University-Fresno is the larger of the two, with about 21,605 undergraduates against 18,639 at San Francisco State University.
- Does California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University have a better graduation rate?
- California State University-Fresno has the higher graduation rate, at about 56% against 50% at San Francisco State University.
- Do graduates of California State University-Fresno or San Francisco State University earn more?
- San Francisco State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $68,077 ten years after enrolling, against about $61,244 for California State University-Fresno. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Fresno and San Francisco State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Fresno is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. San Francisco State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Fresno and San Francisco State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 890–1100 at California State University-Fresno and 930–1130 at San Francisco State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Fresno vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Fresno vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Fresno vs University of California-BerkeleySan Francisco State University vs University of California-Los AngelesSan Francisco State University vs University of Southern CaliforniaSan Francisco State University vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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