You open your SF State financial aid offer and see several different numbers: tuition, mandatory fees, housing, food, transportation and a much larger “cost of attendance.” Which amount will you actually owe? For most California-resident undergraduates attending full time in 2026–27, SFSU tuition is $6,838 for the academic year. Mandatory campus fees add $1,986, bringing the estimated tuition-and-fee total to $8,824 before housing, meals, books and other living expenses.
That does not mean every student will pay $8,824 out of pocket. Grants, scholarships and other aid may reduce the amount substantially. Your final cost depends on residency, enrollment level, housing choice, financial aid eligibility and personal spending.
How much is SFSU tuition for 2026–27?
San Francisco State University is part of the California State University system. For the 2026–27 academic year, California-resident undergraduate tuition is based on whether a student takes more than six units in a semester.
- Full-time undergraduate tuition: $3,419 per semester, or $6,838 for fall and spring
- Part-time undergraduate tuition: $1,981 per semester, or $3,962 for fall and spring
- Mandatory campus fees: approximately $993 per semester, including a small optional student representation fee
- Full-time tuition and campus fees: approximately $4,412 per semester, or $8,824 per academic year
The CSU tuition category does not work like a simple per-credit charge for California residents. Once an undergraduate enrolls in more than six units, the same basic tuition applies whether the student takes seven units or a typical full-time load of 12 to 15 units. This can make taking enough credits to stay on track for graduation more cost-effective, although students should choose a manageable schedule.
Graduate and credential students pay different rates. For 2026–27, full-time graduate and post-baccalaureate tuition is $8,548 for two semesters, while credential-program tuition is $7,938. Campus fees are added to those amounts, and certain professional programs may have additional charges.
What do mandatory campus fees cover?
SF State tuition and campus fees appear together on a student account, but they are separate charges. Campus fees support services and facilities such as student health, recreation and wellness, student organizations, athletics and recreational sports, instructional activities, campus identification services and the Gator Pass transportation program.
These charges generally apply even when a student lives off campus. Some individual fees may change, so students should review their account before every term rather than relying on an earlier estimate. SF State publishes updated figures in its official cost-of-attendance information.
How much do out-of-state and international students pay?
Nonresident and international students pay the standard tuition and campus fees plus $471 for each enrolled semester unit in 2026–27. This additional charge can significantly change the total.
For example, a nonresident undergraduate completing 30 units across fall and spring would pay $14,130 in nonresident tuition on top of the $6,838 systemwide tuition and approximately $1,986 in campus fees. That produces an estimated annual tuition-and-fee cost of $22,954 before housing, meals, books and transportation.
The exact amount depends on the number of units taken. Students should also investigate whether they qualify for a residency exception, tuition waiver or reduced nonresident rate through an eligible regional program. If you are comparing residency-based pricing at different universities, this guide to in-state and out-of-state college costs explains why the listed tuition price may differ sharply by residency.
Tuition is only part of the SF State cost
The cost of attendance is a planning estimate, not necessarily the amount SF State will bill directly. It includes both school charges and everyday expenses associated with being a student.
For 2026–27, the estimated annual undergraduate cost of attendance is:
- $38,238 for a student living on campus
- $39,944 for a student living off campus
- $27,740 for a student living with a parent
These totals assume full-time attendance for fall and spring and include tuition, mandatory fees, housing, food, books, transportation, personal expenses and an estimated federal student-loan fee. They are primarily financial-aid budgeting figures. A student with inexpensive shared housing, used textbooks and limited transportation costs may spend less. Someone renting alone or commuting long distances may spend more.
Housing and food
Housing is often the largest expense after tuition. SF State estimates $18,270 for on-campus housing and $15,606 for off-campus housing during the academic year. Estimated food costs are $5,620 for on-campus students and $7,884 for off-campus students. Students living with parents receive a combined food and housing-related allowance within the university’s estimate rather than a separate housing figure.
Books, transportation and personal costs
The university’s undergraduate budget includes approximately $1,100 for books and supplies. Transportation estimates range from $1,566 to $1,980 depending on living arrangement, while estimated personal expenses range from $2,796 to $4,488. These categories can include toiletries, clothing, phone service, household supplies and other routine costs.
How financial aid can reduce your net price
The published SF State tuition rate is the starting price, not always the final price. Students should complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application every year as early as possible. California’s state priority deadline is usually March 2, although applicants should verify the deadline for their specific award year.
Possible aid includes:
- Federal Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
- Cal Grants and the Middle Class Scholarship
- The State University Grant
- University and private scholarships
- Federal Work-Study earnings
- Subsidized and unsubsidized federal student loans
Grants and scholarships generally do not require repayment when eligibility requirements are met. Work-study is earned through employment and does not automatically appear as a tuition payment. Loans must be repaid, usually with interest, so they should be evaluated separately from gift aid.
When reviewing an aid offer, subtract grants and scholarships from the total cost first. Then consider savings, family contributions and realistic work earnings. Treat loans as financing rather than a discount.
What should you budget each month?
Start with charges billed by SF State, then create a separate living-expense plan. If you live off campus, divide rent, utilities, groceries and transportation across the number of months covered by your lease. Remember that financial aid may be disbursed by semester, while rent and food expenses occur every month.
- Set aside tuition and fee money before spending a financial aid refund.
- Include deposits, moving costs and basic household items in your first-semester budget.
- Compare campus housing with shared off-campus housing using total costs, not rent alone.
- Plan for books and course materials before classes begin.
- Keep an emergency reserve for medical costs, technology repairs or unexpected travel.
- Review whether reducing work hours or taking summer classes will affect the overall cost of graduating.
The bottom line
For a full-time California-resident undergraduate, 2026–27 sf state tuition is $6,838, and mandatory fees bring the estimated academic-year total to $8,824. Living expenses can raise the complete budget to roughly $27,740 to $39,944 depending on housing. Nonresident students must also add $471 per unit. The most useful number is your net price after grants and scholarships, followed by a realistic monthly plan for the expenses financial aid does not fully cover.
