8 Cheapest Universities in San Francisco for International Students

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In San Francisco, California, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in San Francisco, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 8 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in San Francisco, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in San Francisco for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in San Francisco ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Golden Gate University 13,900 USD 61%
San Francisco State University 17,700 USD 50%
California Institute of Integral Studies 21,200 USD 40%
San Francisco Conservatory of Music 51,300 USD -46%
University of San Francisco 53,000 USD -50%
California College of the Arts 53,900 USD -53%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 35,200 USD for universities in San Francisco.

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1. Golden Gate University

Borne out of a man’s desire to earn a college education, the Golden Gate University offers quality education to more than 3000 students. It focuses on advanced education and professional training in the fields of accounting, business, and law. Golden Gate University enjoys a diverse student population, with a generous number of students coming from different parts of Asia and the world.

2. San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University or SF State is one of the 23 California State University system campuses. From its origins as a teacher training institution, SF State has grown into a thriving, world-class university with high research output and top rankings across various assessments. It now provides more than a hundred programs in sciences, business, journalism, public service, and many other subjects.

3. California Institute of Integral Studies

The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) offers world-class curriculums, specializing in programs on spirituality, psychology, and counseling. This institution aims to deliver a student-centered approach to education. Students at CIIS are encouraged to be socially conscious and engaging, developing their skills as future leaders of the community.

4. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a relatively small, private institution dedicated to studying musical instruments, skills, and other related fields. Great attention is given to each student to ensure holistic training as an artist. While it started as a piano school established by pianists, the musical courses covered by the conservatory today are broad. This includes composition, voice, and several instruments. They also offer bachelor’s, master’s, certificate, and artist diplomas.

5. University of San Francisco

Carrying the Jesuit values, the University of San Francisco secures an inclusive learning environment where anyone, regardless of gender and race, is honored and supported. It is committed to cultivating everyone’s integral development and excellence and actively engages in global activities through research. Graduates from the university are proven to demonstrate high-caliber intelligence and leadership skills.

6. California College of the Arts

A private institution that offers academic programs fully concentrating on art and design is the California College of the Arts (CCA). It offers about 23 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs explicitly designed for its creative and talented students. CCA is one of the preferred arts schools for local and international students. The school has been quite appealing because numerous graduates/alumni have found success and are now working for big companies in the arts and entertainment industry.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in San Francisco for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in San Francisco ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Golden Gate University 12,400 USD - 18,800 USD 54%
San Francisco State University 13,200 USD 51%
University of San Francisco 18,000 USD - 49,800 USD 33%
California Institute of Integral Studies 22,400 USD 16%
University of California, San Francisco 23,700 USD 11%
California College of the Arts 34,100 USD - 68,200 USD -28%
University of California Law San Francisco 39,000 USD - 45,300 USD -47%
San Francisco Conservatory of Music 49,300 USD -86%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 26,500 USD for universities in San Francisco.

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1. Golden Gate University

Borne out of a man’s desire to earn a college education, the Golden Gate University offers quality education to more than 3000 students. It focuses on advanced education and professional training in the fields of accounting, business, and law. Golden Gate University enjoys a diverse student population, with a generous number of students coming from different parts of Asia and the world.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Golden Gate University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 12,375 USD to 18,750 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. San Francisco State University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is San Francisco State University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at San Francisco State University is 13,116 USD.

San Francisco State University or SF State is one of the 23 California State University system campuses. From its origins as a teacher training institution, SF State has grown into a thriving, world-class university with high research output and top rankings across various assessments. It now provides more than a hundred programs in sciences, business, journalism, public service, and many other subjects.

3. University of San Francisco

Carrying the Jesuit values, the University of San Francisco secures an inclusive learning environment where anyone, regardless of gender and race, is honored and supported. It is committed to cultivating everyone’s integral development and excellence and actively engages in global activities through research. Graduates from the university are proven to demonstrate high-caliber intelligence and leadership skills.

The tuition fee at University of San Francisco for incoming international master’s students is 18,000 USD to 49,760 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. California Institute of Integral Studies

Another affordable university to consider in San Francisco is California Institute of Integral Studies.

The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) offers world-class curriculums, specializing in programs on spirituality, psychology, and counseling. This institution aims to deliver a student-centered approach to education. Students at CIIS are encouraged to be socially conscious and engaging, developing their skills as future leaders of the community.

The tuition fee in California Institute of Integral Studies for master’s program for foreign students starts from 22,356 USD.

5. University of California, San Francisco

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of California, San Francisco has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 23,687 USD yearly.

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading institution for medical education and training in the United States. UCSF is also part of the University of California system and is, therefore, an excellent research center – especially in the medical and biological sciences. However, unlike the other campuses in the system, UCSF offers only graduate programs.

6. California College of the Arts

A private institution that offers academic programs fully concentrating on art and design is the California College of the Arts (CCA). It offers about 23 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs explicitly designed for its creative and talented students. CCA is one of the preferred arts schools for local and international students. The school has been quite appealing because numerous graduates/alumni have found success and are now working for big companies in the arts and entertainment industry.

7. University of California Law San Francisco

The University of California Law San Francisco aims to train future lawyers in society. It provides access to every level of the judiciary, allowing students to gain adequate knowledge. Over the years, it has continued to boom and enables students to access the most innovative companies in the world.

8. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a relatively small, private institution dedicated to studying musical instruments, skills, and other related fields. Great attention is given to each student to ensure holistic training as an artist. While it started as a piano school established by pianists, the musical courses covered by the conservatory today are broad. This includes composition, voice, and several instruments. They also offer bachelor’s, master’s, certificate, and artist diplomas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in San Francisco, California?

Applying to cheap universities in San Francisco requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United States for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in San Francisco?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in San Francisco. For example, one of the best affordable schools in San Francisco is the California College of the Arts, which offers Animation, Ceramics, and Fashion Design to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the California College of the Arts offers Comics, Design Strategy, and Fine Arts.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in San Francisco, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in San Francisco as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in San Francisco for international students was helpful!