Undergrad Programs Graduate Programs

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San Francisco State University Ranking Badges

SFSU earned 187 ranking badges in the 2027 College Factual rankings: 2 in the top 1%, 40 in the top 5%, 74 in the top 10% and 71 in the top 15% of the schools in each ranking. Its highest placement is #6 of 1,391 in Top Ranked for Biological & Biomedical Sciences, a top 1% award.

Key facts

• Badges earned: 187 (2027 edition)
• In the top 1% / top 5%: 2 / 40
• Highest placement: #6 of 1,391, a top 1% award
• Fields of study with a badge: 23
• Placements this edition: 394
• Badge cutoff: a top 15% placement in a ranking

Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.

How Many Ranking Badges Has San Francisco State University Earned?

San Francisco State University holds 187 ranking badges across 23 fields of study, 42 of them in the top 5% or better; each badge is an award for placing in the top 15% of a ranking. We update our rankings throughout the year as new data becomes available. Placements shown are from the 2027 edition. This page indicates the top award category achieved for this year. See our data sources and methodologies. Administrators interested in displaying College Factual badges can contact us.

Count by Award Level

Award Level	Badges
Top 1%	2
Top 5%	40
Top 10%	74
Top 15%	71
Total	187

What Is San Francisco State University Known For?

San Francisco State University is best known for Education: 14 of its 122 traditional-student awards are in that field. Its top-ranked majors include General Biology, Nursing and Criminal Justice & Corrections.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Best			✓
Overall Best (Far Western)		✓
Overall Best (California)		✓
Best for the Money	✓
Best for the Money (California)	✓
Overall Diversity	✓
Overall Diversity (Far Western)	✓
Overall Diversity (California)	✓
Ethnic Diversity			✓
Ethnic Diversity (Far Western)		✓
Ethnic Diversity (California)		✓
Most Popular (Far Western)			✓
Most Popular (California)		✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Best Value		✓
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
General Biology
Top Ranked				✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked		✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Best Value		✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular		✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Journalism
Best Value	✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Most Popular		✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Computer Science
Most Popular		✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Curriculum & Instruction
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Educational Administration
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
General Education
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Special Education
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Student Counseling
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked		✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Mechanical Engineering
Best Value	✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
General English Literature
Most Popular			✓
Writing Studies
Best Value	✓
Most Popular		✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular		✓
Ethnic Studies
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓

Family, Consumer & Human Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
General Family & Consumer Sciences
Top Ranked		✓
Textile & Apparel Studies
Most Popular	✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
East Asian Languages
Most Popular	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Mental & Social Health Services
Top Ranked	✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Nursing
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Public Health
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular		✓
Rehabilitation Professions
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
History
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Top Ranked			✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked		✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Nutrition Science
Best Value	✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Natural Resources Conservation
Best Value	✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular		✓
Philosophy
Most Popular		✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Chemistry
Best Value	✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular		✓
Child Development & Psychology
Best Value			✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Public Administration
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Social Work
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Anthropology
Most Popular	✓
International Relations & Security
Best Value	✓
Political Science & Government
Best Value	✓
Sociology
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓
Design & Applied Arts
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked	✓
Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Most Popular			✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Most Popular			✓

How Does San Francisco State University Rank in Athletics?

San Francisco State University earned no athletics badge in the 2027 edition; its highest placement in College Factual’s sports rankings is #27 of 85 in Cross Country (D2) (top 32%).

How Does San Francisco State University Rank for Online Students?

In College Factual’s 2027 online-program rankings, San Francisco State University earned 2 badges across 2 online programs; its highest placement is #17 of 280 in Most Popular Online for General Psychology.

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Most Popular Online		✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
General Psychology
Most Popular Online		✓

How Does San Francisco State University Rank for Veterans?

In College Factual’s 2027 veterans rankings, San Francisco State University earned 63 badges, 9 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #71 of 4,939 in Best for Veterans.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Best for Veterans			✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
General Biology
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Hospitality Management
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Journalism
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Curriculum & Instruction
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Educational Administration
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
General Education
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Special Education
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Student Counseling
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
General Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Mechanical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
General English Literature
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Writing Studies
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Family, Consumer & Human Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Health Sciences & Services
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Nursing
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Public Health
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
History
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Social Work
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Anthropology
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Economics
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
International Relations & Security
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Sociology
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Design & Applied Arts
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked Veterans	✓
Music
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Continue Your Research on SFSU

• All rankings for SFSU
• SFSU overview
• Best Colleges ranking
• SFSU official website
• SFSU on Wikipedia
• SFSU on Twitter
• SFSU on Facebook

Notes and References

College Factual’s rankings are based primarily on data from the U.S. Department of Education, 2027 edition. San Francisco State University appears in 394 of the College Factual rankings covered on this page.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.