University of San Francisco

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

USF students describe a transformative experience that combines intellectual challenge with genuine care for their wellbeing and development. Class sizes averaging 22 students create intimate learning environments where professors become mentors and peers become friends. The Jesuit emphasis on educating the whole person means students explore questions of meaning and purpose alongside professional preparation. Community engagement programs connect students with San Francisco organizations addressing homelessness, immigration, education, and environmental justice, putting classroom learning into practice while making real differences in people's lives. Career services starts working with students from their first semester, helping identify interests, build professional skills, and connect with employers through internships and job fairs. The alumni network stretches across industries and around the world, with USF graduates particularly well represented in Bay Area business, healthcare, education, and law. Students from 50 states and 75 countries create a globally aware campus community where different perspectives enrich every discussion. Graduating seniors often speak about how USF challenged their assumptions, deepened their self-understanding, and prepared them to lead with integrity. The hilltop campus serves as a home base for exploration, a launching pad for careers, and the foundation for friendships that span decades.

Location & Surroundings

Campus life at USF blends tight-knit community with big-city opportunity. The Koret Health and Recreation Center provides fitness facilities, a pool, and group exercise classes, while intramural sports from soccer to volleyball bring students together in friendly competition. USF competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with basketball games at War Memorial Gymnasium drawing enthusiastic crowds. Over 100 student organizations cover interests from cultural clubs to professional associations to service groups, and new organizations form regularly when students identify unmet needs. The residence halls house about 2,000 students, with first-year students typically living on campus in buildings like Lone Mountain and Gillson Hall. Resident Assistants organize floor activities, study groups, and late-night conversations that forge lasting friendships. The dining hall serves food with San Francisco flair, including vegetarian and vegan options reflecting the city's culinary culture. Mass is celebrated daily in St. Ignatius Church, the beautiful campus landmark whose spires define the USF skyline, though students of all faiths and none find their place here. Weekend excursions to Muir Woods, wine country, or beach towns offer escape from academic pressures, and the city's theaters, museums, and music venues provide endless entertainment options.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Tuition and fees at USF total approximately $56,000 per year, with room and board adding another $17,000 to $19,000 depending on housing selection and meal plan. Books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses typically add $5,000 or more annually. These figures may feel overwhelming, but USF commits significant resources to financial aid, with over 85 percent of undergraduates receiving some form of assistance. The average financial aid package exceeds $35,000, combining grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Merit scholarships ranging from $10,000 to full tuition are awarded at admission based on academic achievement, with no separate application required. USF and the Jesuit commitment to access mean students from families earning under $50,000 annually often receive aid packages covering most educational costs. California residents may qualify for Cal Grants adding up to $12,570 annually. Federal aid including Pell Grants and subsidized loans helps students from all states. The Financial Aid office works individually with families to navigate options, and payment plans spread costs across the semester. San Francisco's high cost of living is a real consideration, though students can reduce expenses by shopping in budget-friendly neighborhoods and using the city's excellent public transportation.

Compare with Similar Universities