Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at San Francisco State University vary significantly by field of study. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and job placement outcomes.
Analyzing 48 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at San Francisco State University.
#4 nationally
$60K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size based on federal employment outcomes data.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at San Francisco State University.
Engineering and technology programs show strong earnings potential, with Computer Science delivering $102,977 median earnings and ranking #34 nationally. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $79,981, though with more moderate national rankings.
These programs combine solid technical preparation with strong market demand. Students should prioritize Computer Science for optimal earnings outcomes, while Mechanical Engineering offers broader engineering foundation.
Best for students seeking technical careers with strong growth potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #34 |
Program rankings reflect actual labor market outcomes for San Francisco State University graduates, not institutional reputation or academic prestige. Different programs at the same institution produce varying earnings because of field-specific job markets, industry demand, and career pathway differences. Computer Science graduates earn more than English graduates at every institution due to technology sector compensation, not program quality differences. Azimuth uses College Scorecard data requiring minimum cohort sizes for statistical reliability, which means some smaller programs may not appear in rankings. These outcomes represent graduates who entered the job market immediately after graduation and exclude those pursuing advanced degrees, which affects fields like biology and psychology where graduate school is common.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $16,563 |
| 265 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #71 | $93,970 | — | 36 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #17 | $89,286 | — | 59 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #102 | $87,877 | — | 52 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #141 | $79,981 | — | 97 |
Business programs excel in both scale and outcomes, with Business Administration graduating 1,477 students annually at $68,626 median earnings and ranking #22 nationally. This represents San Francisco State University's largest and most established program pathway.
The combination of substantial enrollment, strong earnings, and high value scores indicates mature program infrastructure. Well-suited for students seeking versatile business skills with proven employment pathways and broad career applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #21 | $68,626★ | $19,976 | 1,477 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #14 | $51,921 | $19,148 | 74 |
| Executive/Career Coaching.Small sample | #59 | $43,426 | — | 13 |
Health programs at San Francisco State University demonstrate exceptional outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing ranking #3 nationally and delivering $132,542 median earnings. This program represents the university's strongest earning potential with outstanding value scores of 99.3.
Students pursuing nursing can expect premium employment prospects and earnings that significantly exceed most other fields. This path is best suited for students seeking healthcare careers with strong financial returns and job security.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #4 | $132,542★ | — | 114 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #39 | $55,866 | $27,732 | 62 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #21 | $52,807 | $12,926 | 94 |
Sciences programs demonstrate solid outcomes, with Biology ranking #30 nationally and producing $59,380 median earnings for 329 graduates. While earnings are moderate compared to technical fields, the strong national ranking indicates quality program preparation.
These programs typically serve pre-professional pathways including medical school and graduate study. Best for students planning advanced degrees or research careers rather than immediate workforce entry focused on earnings maximization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry.Small sample | #31 | $69,237★ | — | 19 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #30 | $65,680 | — | 28 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #79 | $62,558 | — | 36 |
| Biology, General. | #30 | $59,380 | — | 329 |
Social sciences combine solid earnings with strong program rankings, featuring Psychology (#55 nationally, $48,599 earnings), American Government and Politics ($60,856 earnings), and Applied Sociology (#21 nationally, $53,446 earnings). These programs balance academic quality with practical career preparation.
Students should expect moderate earnings with opportunities for graduate study and public service careers. Well-suited for students prioritizing social impact alongside financial stability.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #62 | $75,235★ | — | 76 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs. | #5 | $66,159 | — | 30 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #56 | $60,856 | $19,976 | 129 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #21 | $56,474 | — | 23 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #24 | $53,446 | $16,676 | 114 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #48 | $53,050 | — | 77 |
| Anthropology, General. | #16 | $50,875 | — | 44 |
| Psychology, General. | #58 | $48,599 | $17,286 | 408 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #54 | $43,058 | — | 39 |
Communications programs represent particular institutional strength, with Digital Communication ranking #1 in California and #7 nationally. Communication and Media Studies ranks #23 nationally with $57,672 earnings from 406 graduates, while Commercial Photography ranks #9 nationally with $57,556 earnings.
These programs reflect San Francisco's media and technology environment. Best for students seeking creative careers in media, marketing, and digital content creation with strong regional connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #23 | $57,672★ | $16,768 | 406 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #14 | $56,877 | — | 54 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #7 | $52,237 | $21,409 | 190 |
Humanities and arts programs show varying outcomes, with English Language and Literature ranking #18 nationally and delivering $52,278 median earnings. Art History shows lower earnings at $33,736 but provides specialized preparation for museum and cultural careers.
Cinematography produces $39,386 earnings but ranks #10 nationally, indicating program quality despite moderate pay. Students should prioritize career passion and post-graduation plans over immediate earning potential in these fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #10 | $57,556★ | $21,174 | 150 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #16 | $53,614 | — | 35 |
| American History (United States). | #48 | $53,086 | — | 78 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #21 | $52,278 | — | 163 |
| General Studies. | #39 | $49,182 | $17,982 | 125 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #75 | $46,707 | — | 31 |
| Chinese Language and Literature. | #19 | $41,409 | — | 33 |
| Creative Writing.Small sample | — | $40,620 | — | 9 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #10 | $39,386 | $26,360 | 218 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #152 | $33,736 | — | 116 |
| Acting. | #100 | $27,006 | — | 40 |
| Brass Instruments. | #162 | $20,140 | — | 27 |
Education programs focus on teaching preparation, with Adult and Continuing Education ranking #20 nationally and producing $49,217 median earnings for 197 graduates. This represents the primary pathway for teaching careers at San Francisco State University.
While earnings are moderate, the strong national ranking indicates quality teacher preparation. Best suited for students committed to education careers who value social impact and job stability over maximum earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #20 | $49,217 | $17,100 | 197 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 56K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #19 | $56,387 | — | 52 |
Criminal justice programs demonstrate strong performance, with Corrections Administration ranking #12 nationally and delivering $56,243 median earnings for 253 graduates. The program combines solid earnings with exceptional national recognition and substantial enrollment.
This reflects strong connections with California's criminal justice system and public safety careers. Well-suited for students seeking law enforcement, corrections, or criminal justice careers with stable employment prospects and advancement opportunities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #13 | $56,243 | $18,950 | 253 |
Interdisciplinary programs include Exercise Science and Kinesiology, which produces $50,883 earnings for 212 graduates annually. While earnings are moderate, these programs serve students interested in fitness, sports, and health promotion careers.
General Studies provides broad education with $49,182 earnings, offering flexibility for students uncertain about specific career directions. These paths suit students seeking diverse skill sets and career exploration opportunities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture. | #3 | $60,278★ | — | 41 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #62 | $50,883 | $28,455 | 212 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #9 | $50,525 | — | 35 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #14 | $48,260 | $24,052 | 108 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | #5 | $47,115 | — | 26 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #29 | $30,620 | — | 57 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
