San Francisco, CA · Private University
Is San Francisco State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$68,077
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,424
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,304
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$77,216
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.53x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,371
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,882
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
San Francisco State University graduates earn $23,077 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at San Francisco State University ranked by graduate earnings
118 graduates
285 graduates
35 graduates
69 graduates
46 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at San Francisco State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At San Francisco State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $132,542) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $27,006) is $105,536/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $132,542 | 6.9x |
| Computer Science | $102,977 | 5.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $93,970 | 4.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $89,286 | 4.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,877 | 4.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,981 | 4.1x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,423 | 4.0x |
| Economics | $75,235 | 3.9x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $73,604 | 3.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,408 | 3.8x |
| Chemistry | $69,237 | 3.6x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $68,908 | 3.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,626 | 3.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,590 | 3.5x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $66,159 | 3.4x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $64,125 | 3.3x |
| Mathematics | $62,558 | 3.2x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $62,221 | 3.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,856 | 3.1x |
| Marketing | $60,322 | 3.1x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $60,278 | 3.1x |
| Biology, General | $59,380 | 3.1x |
| International Business | $58,508 | 3.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,672 | 3.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $57,556 | 3.0x |
| Journalism | $56,877 | 3.0x |
| Social Work | $56,474 | 2.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $56,387 | 2.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,243 | 2.9x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $55,866 | 2.9x |
| Philosophy | $53,614 | 2.8x |
| Sociology | $53,446 | 2.8x |
| History | $53,086 | 2.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $53,050 | 2.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $52,807 | 2.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $52,278 | 2.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $52,237 | 2.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $51,921 | 2.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,883 | 2.6x |
| Anthropology | $50,875 | 2.6x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $50,525 | 2.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,217 | 2.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $49,182 | 2.5x |
| Psychology, General | $48,599 | 2.5x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $48,260 | 2.5x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $47,115 | 2.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,707 | 2.4x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $46,358 | 2.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $46,041 | 2.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $43,058 | 2.2x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $41,409 | 2.1x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $40,620 | 2.1x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,386 | 2.0x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $34,764 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,736 | 1.8x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $30,620 | 1.6x |
| Music | $30,461 | 1.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $27,006 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
San Francisco State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $68,077 10 years after starting, $23,077 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.