Head-to-head comparison
San Francisco State University vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?
Option A San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University
- Net price / year
- $12,278
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,077
- Payback
- 2.5 yrs
Option B San Francisco, CA
University of San Francisco
- Net price / year
- $41,431
- Earnings, 10 years
- $89,812
- Payback
- 4 yrs
San Francisco State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,112 in 2.5 years versus 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $68,077 vs $89,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Francisco State University | University of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,278 | $41,431 |
| Total net cost | $49,112 | $165,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,077 | $89,812 |
| Median debt | $15,371 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $345,228 | $663,316 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, San Francisco State University or University of San Francisco?
San Francisco State University, at $12,278 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $29,153 a year, or $116,612 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do San Francisco State University or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $21,735 more than the $68,077 at San Francisco State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, San Francisco State University or University of San Francisco?
San Francisco State University: its completers carry a median $15,371 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of San Francisco, a difference of $7,629. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at University of San Francisco, against 50% at San Francisco State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.