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University of San Francisco

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University of San Francisco campus
The University of San Francisco — a private, Jesuit university — reflects the energy, diversity, and opportunities of the city that surrounds it. Founded in 1855 as the first college in San Francisco, today USF is ranked #1 in student diversity among all national universities. The university enrolls 5,287 undergraduate and 3,504 graduate students, offers more than 120 majors and minors, and boasts a network of over 130,000 alumni worldwide. USF gives students from all backgrounds an education that is intensely personal, intellectually demanding, and designed expressly to help them change the world for the better. Here, you’ll turn your learning into positive action and make a difference in communities near and far.
Accepts first-year applicationsWestPrivateUrbanMedium (2,001 to 14,999)Co-Ed
Virtual Tour

Academic programs

  • Design
  • Engineering
  • Research
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Communication
  • Music
  • Art & Design
  • Economics
  • Finance/Accounting
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts
  • Psychology
  • Computer Science
  • Public health
  • Architecture

Student experience

  • Athletics
  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Disability Services
  • Greek Life
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • Military/Veteran Services
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ROTC Program
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

First-year

You should apply as a first-year student if you've graduated from high school within the last year and have not taken any college coursework after your high school graduation. If you've taken any college coursework after your high school graduation (regardless of the number of credits/units taken), you must apply as a transfer student. | Application Fee: $70 | Early Action/Early Decision Application Deadline: November 1 | Regular Decision/Early Decision II Application Deadline: January 15

Transfer

You should apply as a transfer student if you've graduated from high school and taken any college coursework (regardless of the number of credits/units taken) after your high school graduation. | Application Fee: $70 | Spring Application Deadline: November 1 | Fall Application Deadline: March 1

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Additional information

We can't wait to get to know you better, and we hope you'll apply to USF. In the meantime, we recommend taking a virtual tour or dropping by for a campus visit and meeting some of our students and staff who will support you when you get here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your admission counselor. We're here to help and can answer any questions, big or small.

Scholarships: All first-year and transfer applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, no additional application needed.

Financial Aid: We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov using USF’s school code 001325. A FAFSA is required in order to receive a financial aid package. Learn more about financial aid. You can also try our net price calculator to estimate the aid that may be available to you. If you have any questions, you can email us at financialaid@usfca.edu.

Go Dons!

Visit us

We hope you and your family will visit us and immerse yourselves in our university and city. Our location, in the geographic center of San Francisco, is a big part of the student experience. Our admission team will take you around our 55-acre Hilltop campus to show you the classrooms, residence halls, and study spots that will be a part of your life as a Don. We offer daily student-guided tours, group visits, a fall open house for prospective students, and special events for admitted students (both first-year and transfer). Schedule a visit today - we know you’ll love it once you get here.

"I chose USF because of its diverse and welcoming environment. I realized that this school presented several opportunities to grow my career and allow me to meet people of all different kinds of backgrounds. After seeing the various student organizations and majors, I truly believe that there is a place for everyone here at USF."