University of San Francisco

About University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco rises on a hilltop in the heart of the city, its campus offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown skyline, and San Francisco Bay. Founded in 1855 by Jesuits as Saint Ignatius Academy, USF claims the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher learning in San Francisco, established just six years after the Gold Rush transformed the city. The university occupies 55 acres in the residential Lone Mountain neighborhood, where students walk through fog-shrouded eucalyptus groves between classes in Tudor Gothic buildings. With approximately 5,700 students, USF maintains an intimate atmosphere where professors know students by name and class discussions benefit from small group sizes. The Jesuit educational tradition emphasizes social justice, ethical reasoning, and service to others, values that permeate campus culture and academic programs alike. San Francisco's unique character as a center for technology, progressive politics, and cultural innovation provides an extraordinary laboratory for learning. Students engage with the city through internships at startups, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies, while the city's neighborhoods offer endless exploration from Chinatown to the Mission District to the beaches of the Pacific coast.

USF practices test-optional admissions review, considering academic preparation alongside personal qualities and life experiences. The middle 50 percent of admitted students typically present GPAs between 3.4 and 3.9, with SAT scores ranging from 1140 to 1330 or ACT scores from 24 to 30 for those who choose to submit. High school coursework should include four years of English, three years of mathematics through algebra II, two years of laboratory science, two years of social science, two years of a single foreign language, and one year of visual or performing arts. The Common Application essay provides opportunity to share your story, while supplemental questions explore why USF's mission resonates with your values and goals. Letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors add perspective on your classroom contributions and character. International students must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL scores of 79 or higher, IELTS of 6.5, or completion of intensive English programs. Transfer students should have completed at least 24 semester units with a minimum 2.75 GPA, and those from California community colleges benefit from articulation agreements that smooth the credit transfer process. Early action applications are due November 15, with regular decision following in January.

USF offers over 50 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate programs across its schools of Arts and Sciences, Management, Nursing, Education, and Law. Business programs attract many students, with the School of Management emphasizing ethical leadership and social responsibility alongside core business skills. Nursing students benefit from clinical placements at UCSF Medical Center and other Bay Area hospitals, gaining hands-on experience in one of the nation's premier healthcare markets. The sciences take advantage of San Francisco's biotech and tech industries for research opportunities and internships. Psychology, communications, and international studies rank among the most popular majors, reflecting student interest in understanding human behavior, media influence, and global connections. The honors college challenges academically ambitious students with small seminar courses and enhanced research opportunities. Study abroad programs send students to over 80 countries, from semester exchanges to short-term faculty-led courses during breaks. The master of fine arts in writing program has produced notable novelists and memoirists who continue teaching at USF. Pre-law advising prepares students for the school's own law school or programs nationwide, while pre-med students find strong support for medical school applications through advising, research opportunities, and clinical volunteering.

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.