College comparison

San Francisco State University vs USC

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA	USC Los Angeles, CA
Acceptance rateUniversity of Southern California is more selective	96%	10%
SAT (25–75)	—	1450–1550
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	18,639	20,443
Avg net price	$12,278	$32,740
Median earnings (10 yr)USC reports higher median earnings	$68,077	$92,498
Graduation rate	50%	92%
Median debt	$15,371	$18,000
Economic mobility	3.5%	3.9%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Public	Private (nonprofit)

Quick answers

Is San Francisco State University or University of Southern California harder to get into?

University of Southern California is more selective: San Francisco State University's acceptance rate is approximately 96% and University of Southern California's is approximately 10% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for San Francisco State University vs University of Southern California?

The middle-50% SAT range is — at San Francisco State University and 1450–1550 at University of Southern California. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.