University of San Francisco combines moderately selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces earnings outcomes at the 97.0th percentile nationally while maintaining reasonable diversity for a private institution, supporting strong return on educational investment.
With top-tier performance, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting elevated net costs relative to peer institutions
With well above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students for a private institution
With well above average performance, combining reasonable access with strong earnings outcomes for economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of San Francisco delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to institutional profile and student demographics. Graduates earn a median of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 97.0th percentile nationally and representing among the highest earnings we track.
The earnings distribution spans from $55,032 at the 25th percentile to $140,551 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.6:1 ratio indicating substantial upside potential across career paths. USF generates $14,589 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 90.8th percentile nationally for value creation and reflecting top-tier performance in converting educational investment into earnings growth.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings in professional fields, particularly Business, Nursing, and Computer Science. Well-suited for career-focused students comfortable with higher net costs in exchange for exceptional earnings outcomes and small class sizes at a private Catholic university in San Francisco.
University of San Francisco admits 50.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This positions USF as moderately selective compared to highly competitive private universities, though still more selective than typical four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% shows that USF maintains higher selectivity standards than similar private nonprofit universities. This level of selectivity means that strong academic credentials improve admission chances significantly, though the majority of qualified applicants can expect admission consideration.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of San Francisco's published cost of attendance reaches $76,421 per year, including $58,222 in tuition, $17,300 for room and board, and $1,152 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $39,495 after financial aid—a savings of $36,926 from the sticker price.
This average net price places USF $12,352 above the peer median of $27,143, reflecting the premium associated with private education in San Francisco. The substantial gap between published cost and actual net price indicates that most families receive meaningful financial aid packages.
Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $31,741 for families earning under $30,000 to $48,576 for those earning above $110,000. This $16,835 spread between lowest and highest income tiers demonstrates the university's commitment to income-based aid, though costs remain elevated across all income levels compared to public alternatives.
The above-peer net pricing reflects both the institution's San Francisco location and its positioning as a private university with exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
260 graduates
Computer Science.
66 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
111 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
49 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
137 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Mary's College Of California Higher acceptance rate (37.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 19 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 89% | $78,812 | Compare |
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This is the University Of San Francisco hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-san-francisco/analysis.
Top 3% nationally for graduate earnings
University of San Francisco ranks #298 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with return performance at the 96.1st percentile reflecting top-tier post-graduation outcomes. Located in San Francisco, California, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 50.8% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional earnings growth for graduates.
USF enrolls 27.2% Pell-eligible students and 28.0% first-generation students, positioning it well above typical private university peers on access measures. Graduates earn $14,589 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 90.8th percentile nationally for value creation.
Median earnings reach $89,812 ten years after enrollment, placing USF at the 97.0th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of accessible admissions, above-average diversity, and exceptional post-graduation performance places University of San Francisco within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong outcomes while serving fewer low-income students than typical.
The university's moderate selectivity reflects its position as a regional private institution with strong outcomes rather than a highly competitive national university. For students building college lists, USF represents a solid target school for students with above-average academic credentials.
The 50.8% acceptance rate suggests that students should still include more accessible backup options, but USF should not be considered a reach school for most academically prepared applicants. Students should expect meaningful competition for admission, particularly in popular programs like Business and Nursing, but the admission process remains accessible for students with solid academic preparation.
The moderate selectivity aligns with the university's mission of serving diverse student populations while maintaining academic standards that support exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
University of San Francisco graduates demonstrate strong earnings trajectory with consistent growth over time. Median earnings rise from $69,951 six years after enrollment to $81,618 at eight years and $89,812 at ten years, representing 28.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 1,503 to 1,657 graduates across timeframes, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $14,589 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing USF at the 90.8th percentile for earnings performance and reflecting top-tier value creation.
The earnings advantage becomes more pronounced over time, with USF graduates earning $26,746 more annually than the peer median of $63,066 by the ten-year mark. Low-income graduates earn $70,600, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds.
The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with top quartile graduates earning $140,551 compared to $55,032 at the bottom quartile. Approximately 27.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.
Graduate school continuation patterns reflect the university's professional program emphasis and strong academic preparation.
University of San Francisco offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Adult Health Nursing ranks #4 nationally, producing 260 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $127,245 and a value score of 98.9, making it the university's flagship program by enrollment and outcomes.
Business Administration and Management ranks #10 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 137 students with median earnings of $91,169 and a value score of 97.3. Computer Science ranks #35 nationally and #12 in California, with 66 graduates earning $121,602 annually.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #10 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 111 students with median earnings of $98,950. Advertising achieves the #1 national ranking with 32 graduates earning $86,425, while Digital Marketing ranks #17 nationally, graduating 101 students with median earnings of $77,629.
Psychology represents one of the larger programs with 134 graduates, though earnings of $53,096 reflect typical outcomes for the field.
University Of The Pacific Higher acceptance rate (44.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 64 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 95% | $78,445 | Compare |
San Jose State University Higher acceptance rate (29.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 44 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 80% | $78,988 | Compare |
Bryant University Higher acceptance rate (14.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | RI | 66% | $90,008 | Compare |
Saint Joseph's University Higher acceptance rate (35.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 86% | $86,881 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Santa Clara University Similar quality tier in West (#297 ranked) | CA | 44% | $109,183 | #297 | Compare |
Depaul University Similar quality tier (#291 ranked) | IL | 74% | $68,751 | #291 | Compare |
University Of The Cumberlands Similar quality tier (#289 ranked) | KY | 71% | $45,036 | #289 | Compare |
Northeastern University Similar quality tier (#305 ranked) | MA | 6% | $92,538 | #305 | Compare |
Case Western Reserve University Similar quality tier (#276 ranked) | OH | 29% | $87,989 | #276 | Compare |
