Private colleges in California · By CalChannel Editorial Team · Updated September 29, 2026
The University of San Francisco admitted 61.7% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024, or 15,358 of 24,888, according to its most recent published Common Data Set. USF is a private Jesuit Catholic university in San Francisco with 5,171 undergraduates in Fall 2025. Its 2026-27 cost of attendance is $89,298 living on campus, including $63,880 in tuition.
The University of San Francisco, often called USF, is the city’s Jesuit university, founded in 1855 and known for nursing, business, and a mission focused on social justice. It’s not the same school as the University of South Florida, which is why its website is usfca.edu.
Here are the official numbers: who gets in, what it costs in 2026-27, how big it is and what USF is known for.
| Fact | University of San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Type | Private Jesuit Catholic university |
| Location | Lone Mountain (Hilltop campus), San Francisco |
| Founded | 1855 |
| Acceptance rate | 61.7% (Fall 2024: 15,358 admitted of 24,888 applicants) |
| Average high school GPA | 3.71 (first-time first-year students) |
| SAT/ACT | Test-optional; middle 50% SAT 1200-1380, ACT 25-30 for those who submitted (Fall 2024) |
| Students | 8,796 total, 5,171 undergraduates (Fall 2025) |
| Tuition (2026-27) | $63,880 |
| Cost of attendance (2026-27) | $89,298 on campus; $81,510 living with family |
| Retention / graduation rate | 81% / 66% in six years (2019 cohort) |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 11:1 |
| Athletics | Dons, NCAA Division I, West Coast Conference |
Sources: USF Common Data Set 2024-25; USF Quick Facts (Fall 2025); USF Financial Aid, Undergraduate Student Costs 2026-27. Full list at the end of the article.
In This Article
What Is the University of San Francisco?
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit Catholic university founded in 1855, making it the first university in San Francisco. It’s organized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Nursing and Health Professions, the School of Education and the School of Law.
Is USF private or public? It’s private. Do you need to be Catholic to attend? No. USF welcomes students of all faiths and none, although its Jesuit mission shapes the core curriculum, which includes courses in philosophy, theology and ethics along with service learning.
What Is the USF Acceptance Rate?
USF admitted 61.7% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024: 24,888 students applied, 15,358 were admitted and 920 enrolled, according to its Common Data Set 2024-25, the most recent one USF has published.
| USF, Fall 2024 | Number |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | 24,888 |
| Admitted | 15,358 (61.7%) |
| Enrolled | 920 |
Source: University of San Francisco Common Data Set 2024-25, item C1.
Admission to some programs, especially nursing, is more competitive than the university average.
How to Get Into USF
USF uses a holistic review of grades, course rigor, essays and activities. Its first-time first-year students have an average high school GPA of 3.71.
- Application: the Common Application
- Testing: test-optional; 12% of enrolled Fall 2024 first-years submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores
- Scores, if you send them: the middle 50% of Fall 2024 submitters scored 1200-1380 on the SAT and 25-30 on the ACT
- Major: nursing and some health programs have limited space and higher expectations
- Aid: USF awards merit scholarships at admission, and California residents can use a Cal Grant
How Much Does USF Cost?
USF’s 2026-27 cost of attendance is $89,298 for students living on campus, $90,854 off campus and $81,510 for students living with family. Full-time tuition on the Hilltop campus is $63,880, and fees are $612, including a transportation fee that provides an unlimited Muni pass.
| USF cost of attendance, 2026-27 | On campus | Off campus | With family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $63,880 | $63,880 | $63,880 |
| Fees | $612 | $612 | $612 |
| Housing | $12,930 | $15,314 | $7,678 |
| Food | $6,220 | $3,886 | $3,864 |
| Books, course materials and supplies | $1,306 | $1,306 | $1,306 |
| Transportation | $1,076 | $1,346 | $896 |
| Personal expenses | $3,274 | $4,510 | $3,274 |
| Total | $89,298 | $90,854 | $81,510 |
Source: University of San Francisco Financial Aid, Undergraduate Student Tuition and Costs, 2026-27. Students on the USF health insurance plan add $4,477.
“San Francisco is one of the most expensive rental markets in the country, so USF’s off-campus budget is higher than living on campus. The included Muni pass helps, since students can reach internships across the city without a car.”
CalChannel Editorial Team
How Big Is USF?
USF enrolled 8,796 students in Fall 2025, including 5,171 undergraduates and 3,625 graduate and law students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
About 81% of first-year students who entered in Fall 2024 returned for their second year. Of the Fall 2019 entering class, 58% graduated in four years and 66% within six years.
Where Is USF Located?
USF’s main Hilltop campus sits on Lone Mountain in the center of San Francisco, next to the Inner Richmond neighborhood and a few blocks from Golden Gate Park. Its landmark is St. Ignatius Church, whose twin spires are visible across the city. USF also offers some graduate programs at additional locations in California.
What Is USF Known For?
USF is known for nursing, business, international studies, and programs tied to social justice and public service, as well as its law school. Its San Francisco location gives students access to internships in tech, finance, health care and nonprofits.
Why does USF use “usfca” instead of “usf”? The domain usf.edu belongs to the University of South Florida, so the University of San Francisco uses usfca.edu. USF’s name and logo are trademarks, so outside use generally requires permission from the university’s marketing office. The USF Dons compete in NCAA Division I in the West Coast Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USF acceptance rate?
USF admitted 61.7% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024, or 15,358 of 24,888, according to its Common Data Set 2024-25.
Is USF private or public?
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit Catholic university. It is not related to the University of South Florida or to San Francisco State University.
Do you need to be Catholic to attend USF?
No. USF welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Its Jesuit mission shapes the core curriculum, but there’s no religious requirement for admission.
How much does USF cost?
USF’s 2026-27 cost of attendance is $89,298 on campus, including $63,880 in tuition, before financial aid.
Why does USF use “usfca.edu”?
Because usf.edu belongs to the University of South Florida. The University of San Francisco uses usfca.edu to avoid confusion.
The Bottom Line on the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university in the heart of San Francisco that admitted 61.7% of first-year applicants for Fall 2024. It offers small classes, an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and strong programs in nursing and business.
Its 2026-27 cost of attendance is $89,298 on campus before aid. Compare USF with Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount, University of the Pacific and other private colleges in California.
Sources
CalChannel Editorial Team California college guides
The CalChannel editorial team researches and writes guides to California colleges, admissions and financial aid. We build our college profiles and aid guides from colleges’ own published data, federal IPEDS data and the California Student Aid Commission. Read our editorial policy.
