San Francisco State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
San Francisco State University charges a net price of $12,278/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $49,112. Graduates earn a median $68,077 ten years after entry, $19,717/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.5 years — a 20-year net return of $345,228, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
San Francisco State University's 2.5-year payback ranks #126 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 90% of them, and #32 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,278/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $49,112 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $68,077 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $19,717/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $15,371 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $345,228 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on San Francisco State University's own numbers. Net price $12,278 × 4 years = $49,112 total. Median earnings $68,077 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,717 a year of premium. $49,112 ÷ $19,717 = 2.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $345,228. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do San Francisco State University students graduate with?
A median $15,371 in federal loans among completers, or 23% of the $68,077 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of San Francisco State University students graduate?
50% finish their degree — 50% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $49,112 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $98,224 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is San Francisco State University expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $12,278 net price runs $7,627 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $30,508 less across the full degree.