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University of San Francisco — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · San Francisco, CA · 5,287 students

The verdict

University of San Francisco charges a net price of $41,431/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $165,724. Graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $41,452/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4 years — a 20-year net return of $663,316, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of San Francisco's 4-year payback ranks #296 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 77% of them, and #65 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 77% of US colleges#296 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$41,431
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$89,812
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
62%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of San Francisco: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$41,431/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$165,724our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$89,812Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$41,452/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback4 yrsour math
20-year net return$663,316our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of San Francisco's own numbers. Net price $41,431 × 4 years = $165,724 total. Median earnings $89,812 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $41,452 a year of premium. $165,724 ÷ $41,452 = 4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $663,316. 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 University of San Francisco students graduate with?

A median $23,000 in federal loans among completers, or 26% of the $89,812 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of San Francisco students graduate?

70% finish their degree. Spread the $165,724 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $236,749 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of San Francisco expensive compared with other California colleges?

Its $41,431 net price runs $21,526 above the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, or $86,104 more across the full degree.

University of San Francisco: frequently asked questions

Is University of San Francisco worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of San Francisco charges $41,431/yr after aid ($165,724 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years out — $41,452/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4 years and returns $663,316 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of San Francisco degree take to pay off?
About 4 years. We divide the $165,724 four-year net cost by the $41,452/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of San Francisco cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $41,431/yr — about $165,724 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of San Francisco compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #65 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $89,812 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $41,431 net price is above the national median of $16,902.