San Francisco State University
System-wide CSU policy covering every campus. Scores play no part in admission eligibility, but CSU does use them after acceptance as one measure for math and written-communication course placement — so a student may still have a reason to send them.
Data sourced from IPEDS · Last verified 2026-09-15. This provenance applies to the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page.
Preparation
This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement. For UC and CSU schools, admission is based on completing the A-G course requirements, not this list.
Admissions
How admission works here
- Test scores
- SAT and ACT scores aren't considered in admission. System-wide CSU policy covering every campus. Scores play no part in admission eligibility, but CSU does use them after acceptance as one measure for math and written-communication course placement — so a student may still have a reason to send them. The California State University (system-wide testing requirements)
- GPA levels
- 2.50 for California residents and 3.00 for non-residents. Lower ranges can still be evaluated on other factors. CSU admissions site
- Which grades count
- Your a-g grades from 10th, 11th and 12th grade, with extra points for up to 8 honors semesters. CSU admissions site
- California residents
- California residents get priority when there isn't room for everyone. CSU admissions site
- Local admission
- Many campuses give priority to students from local high schools and community colleges. CSU admissions site
- Impacted campuses and majors
- Where more people apply than there is space, a campus or major can require higher GPAs and extra criteria. CSU admissions site
- Deadlines
- Regular Decision November 30 (This is the priority filing period (August 1 to November 30, 2026). It can vary by campus and major, so check each campus). CSU application dates and deadlines (system-wide)
My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.
GPA and test score ranges aren't reported for this school.
No internally-impacted majors reported.
Applying
CSU freshman admission requirements
All CSU campusesGrades
- Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.
- California residents or graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater "a-g" GPA.
- Any California high school graduate or resident of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors.
- Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater "a-g" GPA along with other supplemental factors utilized by the individual campus, including those outlined by impacted campuses and programs.
- Any non-California high school graduate earning a GPA between 2.47 and 2.99 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors.
- Campuses and programs designated as impacted may utilize higher "a-g" GPA thresholds for applicants, as well as identify supplemental criteria and their relative weights, in making admission decisions.
- Please note that California residents receive priority whenever admission space is limited.
How your CSU GPA is calculated
Your CSU "a-g" grade point average (GPA) is calculated based on all grades earned after 9th grade. Credit and No Credit grades are not included in the calculation.
- 1Count your grades
- Look at all your "a-g" courses taken after 9th grade (10th-12th grade only).
- For each grade you earned (A, B, C, D, or F), count how many times you received that grade.
- Ignore pluses and minuses.
- 2Count your honors, AP, IB and college courses
- Count how many of these courses you completed with a C or better.
- You can only use up to 8 semesters total for extra honors points.
- Of the 8 honors points, only 2 semesters from 10th grade can be counted for honors credit (2 points).
- For college courses, each semester grade counts twice.
- Extra points
- The CSU assigns extra points for up to eight semesters of approved honors level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taken in the last three years of high school.
- Grade points for approved honors, IB or AP courses
- A = 5, B = 4, C = 3
- 10th grade honors courses
- Maximum of 2 semesters (2 honors points) may count toward the total.
- Grades that earn honors credit
- Only grades of C- or better earn honors credit.
The required courses (a-g)
The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.
1 year of social science AND 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government
4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature
3 years of college preparatory math including or integrating topics covered in algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. 4 years highly recommended.
2 years of college preparatory science required with laboratory [1 biological and 1 physical]. Integrated science and interdisciplinary courses can meet this requirement.
2 years or through the second level of the same language or 2 one-year courses in different languages. American Sign Language and classical languages such as Latin and Greek are acceptable.
1 yearlong course or 2 semester courses in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, or interdisciplinary arts.
additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list
Impacted campuses and majors
Supplemental Factors that campuses may use include:
- Number of courses exceeding minimum "a-g" requirements
- GPA in math and or science courses
- Household income
- Extracurricular and leadership involvement
- Educational program participation in high school
Diploma and test scores
- To be eligible for admission to the CSU, applicants must have graduated from high school and earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Acceptable alternatives include the General Education Development (GED) test, the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
- The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses.
Official tools
- CSU admission requirements (official page)
- CSU GPA calculator
- Impacted majors and campuses search
- Supplemental factors by campus
- Local admission and service areas (PDF)
Quoted from the system's own pages, read 2026-09-19. The page's banner offers the Fall 2027 application. These rules can change, so check the official pages before you plan your courses. Each campus, and each major, may add its own requirements.
College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.
View official application requirementsAcademics
Flagship Programs
Career & Major Pathways
Cost
This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.
Financial Aid
What families actually paid, by household income
Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.
- Under $30,000
- $9,341
- $30,001 – $48,000
- $9,867
- $48,001 – $75,000
- $11,825
- $75,001 – $110,000
- $14,556
- Over $110,000
- $22,523
College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024
Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.
Scholarships and merit aid
Given San Francisco's high cost of living, need-based aid (Cal Grant, Pell, SUG) is the primary lever for affordability; merit aid exists but is modest relative to the total cost of attendance.
Campus
Campus Fit
*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024
†CSU application dates and deadlines (system-wide) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026
‡The California State University (system-wide testing requirements) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026