KnightonEducation Consultancy
San Francisco State.
Your next chapter.
Explore your degree, understand the entry requirements and plan your study budget with guidance from Knighton.
Apply now ↗
A route that fits your goals.
Compare the exact degree, curriculum, teaching pattern and entry requirements before choosing a programme. Undergraduate, transfer, graduate and English preparation routes have different admission processes.
Undergraduate study
Explore majors and check the first-year requirements for the country where you attended school. If you already have college study, ask about the transfer route instead.
Explore SF State academics ↗Graduate study
Choose your programme first. Its department sets additional academic requirements, supporting documents and deadlines; a university-wide minimum does not guarantee admission.
Find graduate programmes and deadlines ↗English preparation
If you need to improve your English, explore the American Language Institute and ask how its courses relate to your intended degree application. Confirm progression arrangements in writing.
Explore the American Language Institute ↗Plan your 2027 start.
| Route | Current position | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 · undergraduate | Submission began 1 October 2026 | International deadline: 1 May 2027; impacted-major priority deadline: 30 November 2026. |
| Spring 2027 · undergraduate | General application window closed | Extended deadline was 15 October 2026. Separate returning-student deadlines apply. |
| Fall 2027 · graduate | Filing began 1 October 2026 | Closing dates depend on the graduate programme. |
| Spring 2027 · graduate | Filing began 1 August 2026 | Check the individual programme’s deadline and whether it remains open. |
Fall undergraduate study begins in August 2027; Spring begins in January. Not every course accepts every intake. Check programme-specific conditions before submitting.
Official undergraduate dates and deadlines ↗ · Graduate deadlines by programme ↗
Check the requirements for your route.
First-year applicants educated outside the US
SF State asks for a recognised secondary education equivalent to US high-school completion, normally covering 12 years, and a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale or B− average. Country-specific credentials and major conditions still apply. Applicants educated in US high schools follow a different assessment.
| English test | Undergraduate minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS overall | 6.0 |
| Duolingo | 95 |
| PTE Academic | 45 |
Other accepted tests and prior English-medium study routes are listed by the university. Submit the requested transcripts and certified English translations. The admissions application fee is $70, non-refundable.
Read the complete international first-year requirements ↗Graduate English requirements
The graduate minimum IELTS overall score is 6.5. English test results are normally valid for two years. Departments may set higher standards or different accepted tests; check the exact programme and current TOEFL score scale.
Official graduate English requirements ↗Meeting a minimum requirement does not guarantee an offer.
Build your full study budget.
International students pay basic tuition and mandatory campus fees plus $471 per unit in non-resident tuition. The examples below cover two semesters, using the university’s published full-time basic tuition and mandatory-fee figures.
| Annual tuition example | Undergraduate · 30 units | Graduate · 18 units |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tuition | $6,838 | $8,548 |
| Mandatory fees | $1,986 | $1,986 |
| Non-resident tuition | 30 × $471 = $14,130 | 18 × $471 = $8,478 |
| Illustrative tuition + fees | $22,954 | $19,012 |
These are calculated planning examples, not a personalised quotation or I-20 funding amount. Unit loads change the total. Special programmes, summer courses, health insurance and other charges may add costs. These are 2026–27 rates; confirm 2027–28 fees separately.
The university’s 2026–27 on-campus allowances include housing of $18,270 and food of $5,620 for two semesters. Budget additionally for books, transport, personal spending and insurance.
Check official cost-of-attendance figures ↗Financial evidence & scholarships
For I-20 processing, obtain SF State’s current funding instructions and submit the required financial affidavit, evidence of finances and identity document. Do not substitute this page’s budget examples for the university’s requirement. Check scholarship eligibility, deadlines and renewal terms, and count only confirmed awards.
Use Knighton’s US budget calculator ↗Apply with a clearer plan.
- Choose your programme and intended entry term.
- Check academic, English and document requirements.
- Click Apply now and complete Knighton’s application form. Our team will guide you through the next steps and required documents.
- Monitor your SF State account and respond to document requests.
- Plan housing, insurance, financial evidence and visa arrangements after reviewing your offer.
Apply through Knighton using the Apply now button below. Our team will help you prepare your application; SF State makes the final admissions decision.
Apply now ↗Official sources.
Reviewed 24 October 2026. Confirm current requirements with SF State before applying or paying.
Make San Francisco part of your plan.
Talk through your study goals with Knighton and prepare your next steps.