Overview of the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private institution situated right in the heart of San Francisco. USF offers students numerous international opportunities, including over 100 study abroad programs in 45 countries. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. Students are backed by a 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the USF Dons play in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 10,714 (6,704 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 37 percent male/63 percent female
• 96 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $50,282
• Books: $1,600
• Room and Board: $15,410
• Other Expenses: $3,800
• Total Cost: $71,092

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 85 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 83 percent
  • Loans: 60 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $25,861
  • Loans: $7,022

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Finance, General; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Psychology, General; Business Administration and Management, General; and Marketing/Marketing Management, General

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 14 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 66 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 75 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball

Overview of the University of San Francisco Admissions

The University of San Francisco, which accepts nearly two-thirds of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Beginning in fall 2020, the institution will be test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. It has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of San Francisco had an acceptance rate of 65%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 65 students gained admission, making USF’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 72% of students provided SAT scores. Note that beginning with fall 2020 admissions, USF will become test-optional. This admissions data reveals that most of University of San Francisco’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students to USF scored between 570 and 660 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 570 and 25% scored over 660. 50% of students scored between 560 and 670 on the math part, while 25% scored under 560, and 25% scored over 670. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1330 or higher will have a competitive advantage at the University of San Francisco.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 36% of students provided ACT scores. Note that beginning with fall 2020 admissions, USF will become test-optional. This admissions data reveals that most of USF’s students fall within the top 31% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students to the University of San Francisco received a cumulative ACT score between 23 and 29, while 25% scored over 29, and 25% scored under 23.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA of the University of San Francisco’s incoming freshmen class was 3.54. This information suggests that Successful applicants to USF have primarily A-/B+ grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of San Francisco, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of San Francisco is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Pace University, Washington State University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of San Francisco, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Hofstra University, Texas Christian University, Temple University, Auburn University, University of Arizona, Seton Hall University, University of Houston

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of San Francisco. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University, Syracuse University

Applying to the University of San Francisco

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.usfca.edu/admission/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.usfca.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.usfca.edu/admission/graduate      

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.usfca.edu/admission/graduate/apply