Best Universities In San Francisco

WHAT’S UP SAN FRANCISCO?? Isn’t that something we all wish to yell from the balcony of some high rise apartment in San Francisco or have we watched too many movies? Regardless of that, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. One is guaranteed main character vibes in the city, after all it is known throughout as a cultural, financial and commercial hub of the glorious state of California. Slide right into the main character position as a student, the universities in San Francisco are some of the BEST in the world!

Why Study In San Francisco?

With rolling fogs, popular attractions and a diverse spirit, studying in San Francisco is a dream for many. San Francisco has experienced professionals from a variety of fields and most of them teach in the universities in San Francisco. No doubt why you will attain the highest quality education in the city universities. Let’s break it down further.

1. Variety Of Specialisations

The universities in San Francisco offer a vast variety of specialisations that let you reach your dream in a streamlined manner. Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD, it caters for them all! The universities are known for their expertise in business, law, health care, computer science and technology. Of course that's not all, they also offer some of the best online courses in accounting, human resources and finance.

2. Cultural Diversity

Prestigious universities bring about a vast cultural intake as students from all over the world flock to attain quality education. A multicultural atmosphere is only bound to further your growth as a student and individual.

3. Employment Opportunities

Quality education drives passion and passion in turn drives efforts. It’s easy to gain work experience in the city with so many prominent firms established here. The city is home to Apple, Google and Facebook. Technology thrives in the city and studying at the universities in San Francisco lets you access these rather closely.

Things to Consider Before Studying in San Francisco

Planning to study in one of the famous cities in California can be exciting and cannot be described in words. It can be the best time of your life and it can help you to gain amazing experience when studying in universities in San Francisco. But before moving anywhere one should be prepared in every aspect. Let us help you in making your plan as easy as possible with these following things to consider before moving in San Francisco to study:

1. Cost of living

In San Francisco, living expenses might be a little high. Be sure to research the cost of living in the place where you plan to study, in addition to the cost of your studies, tuition fees of your university in San Francisco, and make financial plans accordingly. Rent, utilities, food, and supply costs must be taken into account before shifting.

2. Transportation

It will be necessary to either own a car or take public transportation to go to and from universities in San Francisco. Before finalizing the university check out for near bus stops as well as nearby accommodations. Your university in San Francisco should be immediately served by buses, trams, necessary stores, and housing.

3. Academic Support

Examine the offerings by universities in San Francisco for academic and wellness help. Select a university that goes above and beyond to ensure your success as an international student both academically and otherwise. The university finalized by you should offer free services such as career assistance, academic counseling, mental health counseling, and tutoring. 

4. Student life and culture

A new culture can be difficult to adapt to. Be organized and accepting of many cultures. In the US, greeting the person behind you in line at the grocery store or complimenting a student's knapsack are both perfectly acceptable. As a student studying there you will get to see the equal amount of attention given to studies, extracurricular activities, and sports. All of this would make your life very happening. 

5. Employment Opportunities

Your field, amount of education, and experience all play a role for employment in San Francisco. If you are a computer science major from a prestigious university, employers will find you. To find the best talent, recruiters from prestigious firms visit prestigious universities. If you're not tech-savvy, finding a job can be challenging unless you have a strong network.

Top Programs in San Francisco to Study

San Francisco has been the number one city in California for studying. The universities in San Francisco are one of the top ranked universities in the world with amazing educational facilities and a wonderful education system. But do you know what is more famous about these universities in San Francisco? The courses that they offer. Here are some of the top programs offered in the universities in San Francisco:

1. Computer science and information technology

2. Business analytics and data science

3. Pharmacy

4. Accounting and finance

5. Communication and media studies

6. Political science and public administration

7. Mathematics

8. Dentistry

9. Aerospace engineering

10. Medicine and health studies

Top Universities in San Francisco

Now that we have established why we need to study in San Francisco, it’s time to dive into these popular names of San Francisco colleges and universities!

1. Stanford University

Location:  450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
QS Ranking: 3rd
Fees (yearly): Approx $57,693

One of the most known names in the world, Stanford University is not just a dream, it is THE dream. The university is super competitive as a result, but we are sure you can do this! The university provides over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, whose alumni have made a name for themselves making it one of the best universities in San Francisco. Seven schools make up the university namely, sustainability, education, engineering, business, law, medicine, and humanities and science. Stanford has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, and the current faculty has around 21 Nobel laureates like Sergey Brin and Elon Musk,  frankly, quite insane! The best courses offered here are Computer Science and Medicine. 

2. University of California, Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, CA, United States
QS Ranking: 27th
Fees (per semester):
Under Graduate - $9,594 (Residents), $25,107 (Non-residents)

Graduate - $10,552 to $36,894 (Residents), $18,103 to $41,398 (Non-residents)

“Berkeley is a glorious place. Everywhere you turn you find this commitment to excellence.” - Oliver Williamson, 2009 Nobelist, Economics.

As Oliver Williamson rightly said, UC Berkeley or the University of California, Berkeley, is another top contender when it comes to the best universities in the world. Overlooking the bay area of San Francisco, the university is famous on its own, add Nobel laureates as faculty, and you have the recipe for a perfect education. The university offers more than 350 courses and each one is as good as the next, with the most popular courses being Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, and Law. With a student ratio of 17.8 to 1, you have the ability to imbibe the knowledge of the faculty on a more personal level. The most notable alumni of the University of California, Berkeley, are Steve Wozniak and Kamala Harris. Students can find their perfect student housing near University of California with amber!

3. University of San Francisco

Location: 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
QS Ranking: 1001-1200th
Fees (Yearly): Approx $40,000  

The University of San Francisco offers energy to learn, optimism to thrive, and opportunity to grow, which sets it apart from other Universities. Located after a climb up Lone Mountain, the university in their own words, “is the poem you write for an engineering project”. USF promotes faculty-student interactions with small classes to promote your growth. With over 125+ courses, the USF caters for all. Some of the most popular courses at the University of San Francisco are Nursing and Computer Science, with the top alumni being Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom.

4. San Francisco State University

Location: 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
QS Ranking: 1201-1400th
Fees (per semester):
Under Graduate - Approx $3,764
Graduate - Approx $4,481

SF State, or San Francisco University, is one of the major public urban universities, building on a history of commitment to providing quality teaching to undergraduate and graduate students in various disciplines. The University provides rigorous, comprehensive, and widely integrated academic programmes that enable students to engage in open-minded inquiry, reflection and solution-making. SF State prepares its students to be ethical, productive, and active citizens on a global scale. With more than 160 courses, the SF State dedicates itself to providing higher learning to its students who have excelled in science, public service, business, the arts and journalism, setting it apart from other universities in San Francisco. The most celebrated alumni of this university is Annette Bening and Danny Glover.

5. Santa Clara University

Location: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, United States
QS Ranking: 51 - 100th (By Subjects)
Fees (Yearly): $57,534

Santa Clara University, or SCU as it is commonly known, is a private Jesuit university dating back to 1851 and is the oldest operating institution for higher learning in the state of California. With a rich history and repeated tradition of academic excellence, SCU is known for its hard-willed commitment to social justice and ethics and has a backed strong reputation for producing some of the most all-rounder graduates who have made positive impacts globally. With more than 50 courses in a wide range of academic programs in the arts, humanities, business, engineering, and sciences, SCU is regarded as one of the best universities in San Francisco, with notable alumni being Steve Nash and  Gavin Newsom.

6. Golden Gate University

Location: 536 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States
Fees (per unit): $462

A private, nonprofit university, the Golden Gate University or GGU was Established in 1901, With a long and rich history of providing top-tier education to approximately 5,000 students, the university offers a large range of courses in business, taxation, law, and other fields. Particularly well-known for the graduate programs in business and management, GGU has committed itself to its students by providing a practical education that prepares them for success in their fields. The faculty members are vastly experienced professionals who utilise their real-world experience in their classrooms. It has a lot of esteemed alumni that attended this university like Richard Aoki and Raul Ruiz. Located in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic and innovative cities, GGU gives its students unparalleled opportunities for internships, networking, and professional growth.

7. Saint Mary's College of California

Location: 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, CA 94575, United States
Fees (Yearly): $37,232

A private, co-educational, Catholic liberal arts college located in Moraga, Saint Mary’s college of California was founded in 1863 and is one of the oldest colleges in the state. It has a rich history of providing a rigorous, student-centred education to its student population of approximately 4,000+ undergraduates. Saint Mary's College offers a broad range of courses in arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Known for its strong liberal arts curriculum and commitment to preparing students for lives of meaning and purpose, the college provides students with a close-knit and supportive learning environment.. Located in a beautiful, safe, and tight-knit suburban community, surrounded by rolling hills and natural beauty, Saint Mary's College is committed to providing a transformative educational experience that helps students to develop their full potential and become responsible, ethical leaders in their communities and maintain its identity as one of the premier universities in San Francisco. The notable alumni are Gavin Newsom and Daniel Handler. 

8. California College of the Arts

Location: 1111 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States 
Fees (Yearly): $33,122

California College of the Arts or the CCA is a private college of art and design located in San Francisco and Oakland, California. The CCA has a long and rich history of providing students with a comprehensive education in the visual and performing arts, architecture and design, and writing and literature. CCA offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to prepare students in careers such as artists, designers, writers, and creative professionals. CCA is committed to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and innovation and instils students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they require to excel in the competitive and rapidly-evolving fields of art and design. The notable alumni of this university are Kathryn Bigelow and Jim Goldberg. Unparalleled opportunities for internships, networking, and professional growth are just another benefit to study here.

9. Dominican University of California

Location: 50 Acacia Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
Fees (Yearly): $33,963

The Dominican University of California is a private, nonprofit university founded in 1890, with a strong tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to social justice. The Dominican University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, humanities, business, and sciences, while being particularly well-known for its programs in psychology, education, and environmental studies. Out of all the universities in San Francisco, this university prides itself on being committed to providing students with a personalised and supportive learning environment, and is dedicated to preparing graduates who are knowledgeable and skilled. The notable alumni are Alicia Garza and Carlos Alazraqui. 

10. California State University

Location: 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
Fees (Yearly): $17,720

California State University (CSU) is a public university system in the state of California, United States. It is the largest four-year public university system in the country, with 23 campuses and over 480,000 students. The CSU campuses offer undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including the arts and humanities, natural sciences, engineering, business, and education. Today, it is committed to providing access to high-quality, affordable higher education to a diverse student body. In addition to its traditional on-campus programs, the CSU also offers online and hybrid courses, enabling students to complete their education from anywhere. Overall, California State University provides a rich and diverse educational experience to students from all backgrounds, preparing them for successful careers and meaningful lives. The notable alumni are Forest Whitaker and Aaron Eckhart.

It’s time to step up your quality of education by studying at the universities in San Francisco which compete for the top spots in the world. Sure, the city may be costly to live in but we have a comprehensive guide for cost of living in San Francisco to help you get comfortable from the beginning. Being situated close to the silicon valley has its perks with some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in San Francisco. Start your new chapter with vigour and all the best for your future endeavours! You can also read our blog on the guide to the best public transportation in the US to help you get around San Francisco.