Cost of attendance (COA) includes:
- Direct Educational Costs (Tuition fees, books, and supplies)
- Living Costs (Housing, meals, transportation, and personal expenses)
- Loan origination fees
NOTE: Estimated rent prices for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco can be found on Rent Cafe.
2024-2025 Cost Of Attendance (Fall 2024 & Spring 2025)
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,950 | $7,950 | $7,950 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 | 0 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 | $11,520 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 | $1,764 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 | $4,050 |
| Loan Fee | $62 | $62 | $62 |
| TOTAL | $36,112 | $37,228 | $26,446 |
| Cost Type | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $9,474 | $9,474 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 |
| Loan Fee | $146 | $146 |
| TOTAL | $37,720 | $38,836 |
| Cost Type | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,928 | $8,928 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 |
| Loan Fee | $62 | $62 |
| TOTAL | $37,090 | $38,206 |
How is Cost of Attendance related to financial aid?
SF State provides estimated 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 Veterans Office directly.
A standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of attendance at SF State. The figures used for all categories (Except Tuition & Fees and On Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by SF State students in the 2021 Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission. 300 students from SF State responded to the survey.
Amounts are updated annually based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index for non-surveyed years.
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 & Mandatory Fees: Cost paid to SF State for courses, includes mandatory campus fees. This figure is based off 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 SF State. 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 SF State 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.
Your personal cost of attendance will vary based on individual preferences and spending habits. We encourage students and their families to consider ways to lower their cost of attendance, such as shared housing, or using public transportation which is covered by campus fees.
For informational purposes only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, SF State provides the typical market cost for the following housing options in the SF Bay Area (Per www.apartments.com on October 22, 2024):
one-bedroom apartment in the SF Bay Area: $1,896 per month
one-bedroom in private house in the SF Bay Area: $2,314 per month
two-bedroom apartment in the SF Bay Area: $3,014 per month
Past Cost of Attendance
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,522 | $7,522 | $7,522 |
| Housing | $13,956 | $12,960 | 0 |
| Food | $5,220 | $6,472 | 10,126 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,108 | $1,764 | $1,710 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,872 | $4,428 | $3,610 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $74 | $74 | $74 |
| TOTAL | $31,852 | $34,320 | $24,142 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,956 | $8,956 | $8,956 |
| Housing | $13,956 | $12,960 | 0 |
| Food | $5,220 | $6,472 | $10,126 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,108 | $1,764 | $1,710 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,872 | $4,428 | $3,610 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $170 | $170 | $170 |
| TOTAL | $33,382 | $35,850 | $25,672 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,440 | $8,440 | $8,440 |
| Housing | $13,956 | $12,960 | 0 |
| Food | $5,220 | $6,472 | 10,126 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,108 | $1,764 | $1,710 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,872 | $4,428 | $3,610 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $74 | $74 | $74 |
| TOTAL | $32,770 | $35,238 | $25,060 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,522 | $7,522 | $7,522 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,098 | $1,098 | $1,098 |
| Food and Housing | $18,998 | $18,998 | $9,098 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,196 | $2,736 | $2,250 |
| Transportation | $350 | $1,466 | $1,710 |
| TOTAL | $30,164 | $31,820 | $21,678 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,956 | $8,956 | $8,956 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,098 | $1,098 | $1,098 |
| Food and Housing | $17,954 | $18,998 | $9,098 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,196 | $2,736 | $2,250 |
| Transportation | $350 | $1,466 | $1,710 |
| TOTAL | $30,554 | $33,254 | $23,112 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,440 | $8,440 | $8,440 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,098 | $1,098 | $1,098 |
| Food and Housing | $17,954 | $18,998 | $9,098 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,196 | $2,736 | $2,250 |
| Transportation | $350 | $1,467 | $1,710 |
| TOTAL | $30,038 | $32,739 | $22,596 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,484 | $7,484 | $7,484 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,076 | $1,076 | $1,076 |
| Food and Housing | $15,680 | $18,270 | $8,826 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,156 | $2,632 | $2,164 |
| Transportation | $1,028 | $1,394 | $1,622 |
| TOTAL | $27,424 | $30,856 | $21,172 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,918 | $8,918 | $8,918 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,076 | $1,076 | $1,076 |
| Food and Housing | $15,680 | $18,270 | $8,826 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,156 | $2,632 | $2,164 |
| Transportation | $1,028 | $1,394 | $1,622 |
| TOTAL | $28,858 | $32,290 | $22,606 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,924 | $7,924 | $7,924 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $15,949 | $17,922 | $8,747 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,058 | $2,770 | $2,120 |
| Transportation | $1,094 | $1,482 | $1,733 |
| TOTAL | $28,063 | $31,136 | $21,562 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,440 | $7,440 | $7,440 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $15,950 | $17,922 | $8,748 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,058 | $2,770 | $2,120 |
| Transportation | $1,094 | $1,482 | $1,732 |
| TOTAL | $27,580 | $30,652 | $21,080 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,874 | $8,874 | $8,874 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $15,949 | $17,922 | $8,747 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,058 | $2,770 | $2,120 |
| Transportation | $1,094 | $1,482 | $1,733 |
| TOTAL | $29,013 | $32,086 | $22,512 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,358 | $8,358 | $8,358 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $15,949 | $17,922 | $8,747 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,058 | $2,770 | $2,120 |
| Transportation | $1,094 | $1,482 | $1,733 |
| TOTAL | $28,497 | $31,570 | $21,996 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,270 | $7,270 | $7,270 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,002 | $2,002 | $2,002 |
| Food and Housing | $15,152 | $16,189 | $6,786 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,704 | $1,704 | $1,704 |
| Transportation | $864 | $1,587 | $1,134 |
| TOTAL | $26,992 | $28,752 | $18,896 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,704 | $8,704 | $8,704 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,002 | $2,002 | $2,002 |
| Food and Housing | $15,152 | $16,189 | $6,786 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,704 | $1,704 | $1,704 |
| Transportation | $864 | $1,587 | $1,134 |
| TOTAL | $28,426 | $30,186 | $20,330 |
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,188 | $8,188 | $8,188 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,002 | $2,002 | $2,002 |
| Food and Housing | $15,152 | $16,189 | $6,786 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,704 | $1,704 | $1,704 |
| Transportation | $864 | $1,587 | $1,134 |
| TOTAL | $27,910 | $29,670 | $19,814 |