Cost of Attendance

SFSU provides estimated cost of attendance (COA) figures for on-campus, off-campus and with-parent living arrangements. These figures are based on typical student expenses and include tuition, fees, housing, food, transportation, books and personal costs. Our estimates are derived from a combination of sources, including local market data for housing, the Consumer Price Index for living expenses and institutional data on student spending.

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. We strongly encourage you to review these estimates carefully, compare them with other sources and consider your personal circumstances to develop a realistic budget for your educational expenses. 

Veterans should also explore how their benefits may affect their individual costs. For more information regarding veteran benefits, please reach out to the Veteran's Services Office directly.

A standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of attendance at SFSU. The figures used for all categories (except tuition and fees and on-campus room and board) represent the average expenses reported by SFSU students in the 2021–2022 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission. 300 students from SFSU responded to the survey.

Amounts are updated annually based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index for non-surveyed years.

NOTE: No distinction is made with respect to the mode of instruction in determining costs. Students enrolled in online courses or a fully online program have the same elements included in their cost of attendance budget.

• Tuition and Mandatory Fees: Cost paid to SFSU for courses, includes mandatory campus fees. This figure is based on anticipated enrollment in 7 or more units. 
• Living Expenses (Food and Housing): The average cost per academic year to live in the SF Bay Area while attending SFSU. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances (on-campus, off-campus, living at home)  
  • Living at Home Housing reflects the lower costs of living at home. 
  • On-Campus Food and Housing is an average of actual costs for all on-campus housing options and a meal plan option providing 19 meals per week. 
  • Off-Campus Food and Housing is based on the average amount reported by SFSU students on the 2021 SEARS survey. 
• Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment: The average amount students spend on books and educational supplies.
• Transportation: The average transportation cost between campus, residences and place of work (includes bus fare, gasoline, tolls, parking, etc.). Amount does not include car payments, insurance, repairs or license fees.
• Personal Expenses: The average amount for personal expenses, which includes clothing, personal care, cell phone plan and health care costs not covered by insurance.
• Federal Direct Loan Fees: For students who borrow a Direct Loan, the average cost of the loan origination fee; for parents who borrow a Direct PLUS loan on behalf of their dependent student, the actual cost of the PLUS loan origination fee.