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Top Universities & Colleges in San Francisco

March 4, 2025 5 Mins Read
Updated On: March 4, 2025
Top Universities in San Francisco

Table of Contents

  • Top Universities in San Francisco
    • Stanford University 
    • University of California, Berkeley 
    • University of San Francisco
    • Dominican University of California
    • Santa Clara University
    • San Francisco State University
  • Conclusion
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • What are the top universities and colleges in San Francisco?
      • What are the most popular courses at San Francisco universities?
      • What are the tuition fees for international students in San Francisco universities?
      • Which university in San Francisco is best for engineering and technology?
      • What are the top recruiters for San Francisco university graduates?

San Francisco is home to some of the best universities and colleges in the United States, offering world-class education, research opportunities, and strong industry connections. Whether you’re looking for a top-ranked research institution like Stanford University, a prestigious public university like UC Berkeley, or a career-focused school like San Francisco State University, the city has something for everyone. 

With major tech, business, and healthcare industries thriving in the Bay Area, students have access to internships and job opportunities at companies like Google, Apple, Tesla, and Amazon. This guide explores top universities and colleges in San Francisco, covering rankings, programs, acceptance rates, tuition fees, and career prospects.

Top Universities in San Francisco

Stanford University 

    Founded in 1885, Stanford University is one of the world’s most prestigious private research universities, known for its academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and strong entrepreneurship culture. Ranked #6 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Stanford is particularly renowned for engineering, computer science, business, and medicine. With an annual research budget of over $1.6 billion, Stanford is a leader in AI, robotics, healthcare, and clean energy research. Furthermore, the university welcomes students from over 90 countries providing a truly global learning experience. Below are the key details of Stanford University: 

    Feature Details 
    Year of Establishment 1885 
    QS World University Ranking (2025) #6 globally 
    Acceptance Rate ~4% (Highly selective) 
    Popular Subjects Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, and Business.   
    Student Population Over 17,000 students 
    International Students 20% of total student body 
    Campus Size 8,180 acres in Palo Alto, California 
    Notable Alumni Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Sundar Pichai, Reed Hastings 
    Top Recruiters McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Google, and Amazon 
    Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) ~$66,000 
    Average Starting Salary of Graduates Median base salary is of $175,000 in 2022 
    Graduate Employment Rate 98% within six months 
    Official Website Stanford University 

    Related: How to Get into Stanford from India?

    University of California, Berkeley 

      Founded in 1868, UC Berkeley is a top-ranked public Ivy League university, known for its excellence in STEM, business, law, and social sciences. Ranked #27 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Berkeley has a long-standing tradition of producing Nobel Prize winners, groundbreaking research, and industry leaders. With an annual research budget of ~$1 billion, UC Berkeley leads in environmental science, artificial intelligence, biotech, and social policy research. Furthermore, with students from over 120 countries, Berkeley provides a multicultural and inclusive academic environment. Below are the key details of UC Berkeley: 

      Feature Details 
      Year of Establishment 1868 
      QS World University Ranking (2025) #12th in the world 
      Acceptance Rate ~12% (Highly selective) 
      Popular Subjects Engineering, Business, Law, Data Science, Environmental Science, AI Research 
      Student Population Over 45,000 students 
      International Students 16% of total student body 
      Campus Size 1,232 acres in Berkeley, California 
      Notable Alumni Steve Wozniak, Eric Schmidt, Gordon Moore, Chris Pine 
      Top Recruiters Adobe, Amazon, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY-Parthenon, McKinsey & Company. 
      Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) Starting from $63,196 varies according to courses 
      Average Starting Salary of Graduates ~ Varies according to course but can start from                                                                                        $97,000 per year 
      Graduate Employment Rate 96% within six months 
      Official Website UC Berkeley 

      University of San Francisco

        Founded in 1855, the University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university known for its strong focus on business, healthcare, law, and social sciences. USF is located in the heart of San Francisco, providing students with direct access to industry leaders, internships, and career opportunities in one of the most dynamic cities in the U.S. Ranked #1201-1400 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, With over 11,000 students from 100+ countries, USF fosters an inclusive, globally connected academic environment. Below are the key details of University of San Francisco:  

        Feature Details 
        Year of Establishment 1855 
        QS World University Ranking (2025) #1201–1400 globally 
        Acceptance Rate ~51% 
        Popular Subjects Business, Nursing, Law, Psychology, Engineering, Mathematics 
        Student Population Over 11,000 students 
        International Students 15% of total student body 
        Campus Size 55 acres in downtown San Francisco 
        Notable Alumni Bill Cartwright (NBA Coach), Alberto Ibargüen (Knight Foundation CEO), Kimberly Bryant (Founder of Black Girls Code) 
        Top Recruiters Google, Apple, Amazon, Salesforce, and Uber 
        Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) $61,720 
        Average Starting Salary of Graduates ~Around $84,000 
        Graduate Employment Rate 95% within six months 
        Official Website University of San Francisco 

        Dominican University of California

          Founded in 1890, Dominican University of California is a private liberal arts university located in San Rafael, just north of San Francisco. It is known for small class sizes, personalized education, and strong programs in business, health sciences, and liberal arts. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, Dominican provides individualized attention and mentorship opportunities, ensuring students get a high-quality learning experience.  

          The university is particularly recognized for its Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Business programs, which have strong ties to leading healthcare institutions and corporate partners in the Bay Area. Below are the key details of Dominican University of California: 

          Feature Details 
          Year of Establishment 1890 
          University Type Private Liberal Arts University 
          Acceptance Rate ~94%  
          Popular Subjects Nursing, Business, Occupational Therapy, Biological Sciences, Education 
          Student Population 2,336 students, including 1,500 undergraduates and 836 graduates. 
          International Students 12% of total student body 
          Campus Size 80 acres in San Rafael, California 
          Notable Alumni Ellen T. Harris (Musicologist), Angela Alioto (Politician), Melba Pattillo Beals (Civil Rights Activist) 
          Top Recruiters Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Health, Deloitte, Wells Fargo, LinkedIn 
          Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) ~$52,855 
          Average Starting Salary of Graduates ~ Can start from $70,000 per year, bit it majorly varies by position and major 
          Graduate Employment Rate 93% within six months 
          Official Website Dominican University of California 

          Santa Clara University

            Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University (SCU) is a top-ranked private Jesuit university known for its business, law, and engineering programs. Located in Silicon Valley, SCU has strong industry ties with major tech companies and financial institutions.  

            With a focus on innovation, ethics, and leadership, SCU has built a reputation for producing industry leaders, with graduates earning an average starting salary of around ~$71,000 per year. The university’s Leavey School of Business and School of Engineering are particularly well-regarded, placing graduates in top roles at Google, Apple, and Tesla. Below are the key details of Santa Clara University: 

            Feature Details 
            Year of Establishment 1851 
            QS World University Ranking (2025) #1301st globally 
            Acceptance Rate ~44% 
            Popular Subjects Business, Law, Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, Environmental Studies 
            Student Population Over 9,000 students 
            International Students 13% of total student body 
            Campus Size 106 acres in Silicon Valley 
            Notable Alumni Steve Nash (NBA MVP), Andy Ackerman (Seinfeld Director), Reza Aslan (Author & Scholar) 
            Top Recruiters Apple, Google, Cisco, Tesla, Deloitte, Bank of America 
            Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) Around $61,293 
            Average Starting Salary of Graduates Around $71,900 per year. However, graduates can earn between $82,000 and $96,000 annually.   
            Graduate Employment Rate 95% within six months 
            Official Website Santa Clara University 

            San Francisco State University

              Founded in 1899, San Francisco State University (SFSU) is a leading public university known for its strong liberal arts, business, and social sciences programs. SFSU is part of the California State University (CSU) system, offering high-quality education at an affordable cost.  

              Ranked among the top public universities in California, SFSU has a diverse student body of over 27,000 students, including 10% international students from 100+ countries. Located in San Francisco, one of the world’s most dynamic cities, SFSU provides students with internship and job opportunities in media, business, and public administration. Below are the key details of San Francisco State University: 

              Feature Details 
              Year of Establishment 1899 
              University Type Public University (Part of CSU System) 
              Acceptance Rate ~91% (More accessible for students) 
              Popular Subjects Business, Social Sciences, Media Studies, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science 
              Student Population 23,700 students enrolled, including 20,673 undergraduate students and 3,027 postgraduate students.   
              International Students 10% of total student body 
              Campus Size 142 acres in San Francisco, California 
              Notable Alumni Danny Glover (Actor), Annette Bening (Actress), Ben Fong-Torres (Journalist) 
              Top Recruiters TikTok, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Adobe, and Meta 
              Annual Tuition Fees (International Students) ~Starting from $7,524 varies according to courses 
              Average Starting Salary of Graduates ~Around $76,600 per year 
              Graduate Employment Rate 85% within six months 
              Official Website San Francisco State University 

              Conclusion

              San Francisco’s universities provide exceptional academic programs, strong career prospects, and a dynamic learning environment. Whether you want to study business, engineering, healthcare, or technology, these institutions offer high-quality education and global networking opportunities. With high graduate employment rates, industry partnerships, and vibrant campus life, San Francisco remains one of the best destinations for higher education. 

              Frequently Asked Questions

              What are the top universities and colleges in San Francisco?

              San Francisco is home to several highly ranked universities, including:

              • Stanford University (#6 globally, QS 2025)
              • University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) (#12 globally, QS 2025)
              • University of San Francisco (USF) (#1201-1400 globally, QS 2025)
              • Santa Clara University (#1301 globally, QS 2025)
              • San Francisco State University (SFSU) (Top-ranked public university in California)
              • Dominican University of California (Top private liberal arts university)

              What are the most popular courses at San Francisco universities?

              Some of the most sought-after programs include:

              • Engineering & Computer Science – Stanford, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University
              • Business & Management – Stanford, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco
              • Health Sciences & Medicine – UC Berkeley, Dominican University of California
              • Law & Public Policy – UC Berkeley, University of San Francisco
              • Social Sciences & Media Studies – SFSU, USF

              What are the tuition fees for international students in San Francisco universities?

              Tuition fees vary depending on the university and program:

              • Stanford University – ~$66,000 per year
              • UC Berkeley – ~$63,196 per year
              • University of San Francisco – ~$61,720 per year
              • Santa Clara University – ~$61,293 per year
              • San Francisco State University (SFSU) – ~$7,524 to ~$19,000 per year
              • Dominican University of California – ~$52,855 per year

              Which university in San Francisco is best for engineering and technology?

              Stanford University is the best choice for engineering and computer science, with strong programs in AI, robotics, and data science. UC Berkeley is also highly ranked in STEM, particularly in environmental science, AI research, and biotech.

              What are the top recruiters for San Francisco university graduates?

              San Francisco universities have strong ties with major tech, business, and healthcare companies, including:

              • Tech & Engineering – Google, Apple, Tesla, Cisco, Intel, Adobe
              • Finance & Consulting – Deloitte, McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Wells Fargo
              • Healthcare & Medicine – UCSF Health, Kaiser Permanente
              • Business & Marketing – Salesforce, Uber, LinkedIn

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