Understanding the Costs of Attending the University of San Francisco
For prospective students and their families, understanding the financial implications of attending the University of San Francisco (USF) is crucial. This article breaks down the various costs associated with attending USF, including tuition, fees, and other direct and indirect expenses, as well as available financial aid options. College costs aren’t one-size-fits-all, and planning ahead can help make a USF degree more accessible.
Components of the Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) at USF is an estimate of what a typical student can expect to spend for one year. It's important to differentiate between direct and indirect costs when planning your finances. The Office of Financial Aid uses the estimated cost of attendance to determine your eligibility for financial aid, like grants and loans. Federal regulations require that the total aid given to a student not exceed the cost of attendance each year. When you apply for financial aid, your estimated cost of attendance should appear on any financial aid offer letter you receive from a university. That gives you a common starting point for comparing your aid offers from different colleges.
Direct Costs
Direct costs are those that appear on your bill from USF. These typically include:
Tuition: Tuition is based on full-time enrollment for the academic year, covering both fall and spring semesters. For undergraduates, staying on track to graduate in four years requires a minimum of 15 credits per semester, based on 120 credits required for degree completion. Students taking fewer than 12 credits or more than 18 credits during the fall, intersession, or spring terms will be charged per credit. The per-credit charge is $2,200 or $2,205. Graduate programs require either 30 or 36 credits for degree completion, depending on the specific program.
Fees: These cover various services and resources provided by the university.
Read also: On-Campus Job Opportunities at USFCA
Housing and Food: These costs are estimates based on the average full-time undergraduate or graduate student. For graduate students, housing and meal costs are estimates based on the average full-time graduate student.
USF-Sponsored Health Insurance Plan: Students enrolling in the USF-sponsored health insurance plan should plan to add $4,168 to their direct costs. Graduate students who are registered in 6 or more units will be charged for the USF-sponsored health insurance plan. This charge is automatically applied but may be waived if the student meets the criteria for a health insurance waiver.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are expenses that you will incur while attending USF but will not appear on your university bill. They are estimated costs and include items such as:
Textbooks and School Supplies: The cost of books and supplies is estimated at $1,089 per year.
Personal Items: These include personal items like clothes and toiletries. Personal expenses are estimated at $3,195 per year.
Travel Expenses: If you live far from home and plan to travel back during school breaks, you'll need to budget for travel expenses.
Transportation: Transportation costs are estimated at $1,251 per year.
Living Expenses (Food and Housing): The average cost per academic year to live in the SF Bay area while attending SF State. Your personal cost of attendance will vary based on individual preferences and spending habits.
You will decide for yourself how and when you make these purchases (and how much you pay).
Tuition and Fees
University of San Francisco's tuition is $62,312. According to News and World Report’s review of 2023-2024 tuition rates, compared with the national average cost of tuition of $46,950, University of San Francisco is more expensive.
Read also: Student Accessibility Services at USF
These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.
Undergraduate Tuition Specifics
To stay on track to graduate in 4 years, students must carry a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Our Cost of Attendance is based on 120 credits required for degree completion.
Graduate Tuition Specifics
Our graduate programs require either 30 or 36 credits for degree completion, depending on the specific program.
The tuition estimate is based on the required units during Fall & Spring terms. $40 AGSUSF fee is applied each fall and spring semester for a total annual fee of $80. Housing and meal costs are estimates based on the average full-time graduate student. Tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan costs are subject to annual increases.
Understanding the Total Cost
As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At University of San Francisco, the total cost is $84,784. Total Cost of Attendance includes direct and indirect costs. This COA estimate is intended as a guideline and does not guarantee actual costs or expenses.
Tuition, fees and housing and meal plan costs are set by the university’s Board of Trustees. The board works to keep these charges as low as possible, but in recent years these costs have typically increased between 3% and 5% annually. We use the cost of a standard double room for on-campus housing and standard meal plan in our estimate.
Financial Aid and Affordability
A USF degree pays off, and the university offers various financial aid options to help students manage the costs.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.
- Grants and Scholarships: These are forms of financial aid that do not need to be paid back. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at University of San Francisco was $39,952. Additionally, 68% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.
*Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation. Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses.
Loans: Loans must be paid back. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $5,156.
Work-Study: This program allows students to work part-time to earn money for college expenses. Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.
Financial Aid Statistics
61% of students receive financial aid.
The average aid package awarded is $46,144.
The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded is $36,120.
The average need-based loan amount is $4,086.
The average non-need-based aid is $22,509.
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid 98%.
Important Financial Aid Dates
Application Due: January 15. The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
Priority Application Due: January 15. Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.
Net Price
Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price. The average net price is $44,104 per year.
Student Loan Debt
How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At University of San Francisco, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $23,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $244. Additionally, 12% of graduating students at University of San Francisco took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $64,860 in private loan debt at graduation.
Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: $38,127
Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024): 48%
Additional Financial Aid Information
University of San Francisco met 67% of its students’ financial aid need.
- Applied for need-based aid
- Received need-based financial aid
- Received need-based self-help aid
- Average percent of need met
Resources and Support
SF State provides estimated COA figures for on-campus, off-campus, and with-parent living arrangements. It's important to note that these figures represent averages. Your actual costs may vary depending on your lifestyle, spending habits, and individual circumstances. For example, students who choose to live in shared housing or utilize public transportation (Covered by campus fees) may incur lower costs. Veterans should also explore how their benefits may affect their individual costs. A standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of attendance at SF State. The figures used for all categories (Except Tuition & Fees and On Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by SF State students in the 2021 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission. NOTE: No distinction is made with respect to the mode of instruction in determining costs .
Financial Aid Office Phone Number: Contact the financial aid office for personalized assistance.
Net Price Calculator: Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Additional Considerations
Tuition Guarantee Plans: Tuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance payment
Institution is G.I. Bill certified: Yes
Institution participates in Yellow Ribbon Program: Yes
Adjustments to COA: The COA is subject to adjustment for specific circumstances, such as dependent care costs, disability-related expenses, or participation in study abroad programs. Market Factors: Housing and meal plan costs reflect market conditions and are reviewed periodically.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Figures Provided by the University of San Francisco (USF)
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) figures provided by the University of San Francisco (USF) are designed to help students and families anticipate the financial investment required for an academic year. Estimated Costs: The COA includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. § 1087ll).
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