Academic Comparison between California Northstate and San Francisco State

California Northstate University and San Francisco State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Northstate is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Elk Grove, CA and San Francisco State is a four-year, public school located in San Francisco, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • California Northstate is a private (for-profit) and San Francisco State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Northstate has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,600) than San Francisco State ($20,446).
  • It is harder to admit to California Northstate than San Francisco State.
  • San Francisco State has more students with 22,563 students while California Northstate has 981 students.
  • California Northstate has a lower number of students per faculty with 3 to 1 while San Francisco State's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • San Francisco State has more full-time faculties with 797 faculties while California Northstate has 106 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Northstate Universityvs.San Francisco State University
Elk Grove, CaliforniaLocationSan Francisco, California
Four-year, Private (for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$61,6002025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$7,846
Out-Of-State$20,446
34%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$11,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,110
92.47 %Acceptance Rates96.44 %
5.81 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.60 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
100 %Graduation Rate50 %
-Transfer-out Rate6 %
86 %Retention Rate83 %
981Student Population22,563
106Number of Faculties797
3 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare