San Francisco is a recognizable destination in the United States and is also home to many students. Known for its cool summers, foggy days, steep hills, cable cars, and landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, the city attracts visitors and students from around the world.
The wider San Francisco Bay Area is closely associated with technology and entrepreneurship. Within San Francisco itself, major companies such as Levi Strauss & Co., Gap Inc., Dolby Laboratories, Airbnb, Uber, and Pinterest maintain headquarters or principal offices.
Although San Francisco has a high cost of living, students can still find relatively affordable schools in and around the city. U.S. colleges often use different cost structures for California residents, out-of-state students, and international students. Total costs can vary by program, unit load, mandatory fees, housing, health insurance, and other expenses.
Affordable Schools in San Francisco for International Students
1. San Francisco State University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $8,820 – $10,482/year for California residents, plus an additional $471/unit for out-of-state and international students
San Francisco State University, founded in 1899, is one of the city’s major public universities. Its main campus covers 144.1 acres, and the university enrolled 20,721 students in fall 2025. SF State awards bachelor’s degrees in 75 academic areas with 49 additional concentrations and master’s degrees in 65 academic areas with 25 additional concentrations, along with doctoral, credential, and certificate programs.
Out-of-state and international students must pay an additional $471 per unit or fractional unit on top of the tuition and mandatory fees for their academic level. Therefore, the total cost depends on degree level, residency, and the number of units taken.
2. Academy of Arts University
The official name of this institution is Academy of Art University. It offers 120+ art and design programs and 900+ classes, with schools and programs across areas such as photography, graphic design, acting, fashion, game development, animation and visual effects, and motion pictures and television. The university welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Tuition is charged per unit, and most classes are three units. For Fall 2026 through Summer 2027, tuition ranges from $1,366 per unit for domestic undergraduate students to $1,857 per unit for international graduate and art teaching credential students.
3. City College of San Francisco
City College of San Francisco is a public urban community college. Founded in 1935, it offers over 300 credit and noncredit degrees and certificates, including associate degree and transfer pathways. CCSF has its main Ocean Campus and five centers, and it also offers courses and programs online.
California residents pay an enrollment fee of $46 per unit. Eligible San Francisco residents can have enrollment fees covered through Free City if they are California residents and San Francisco residents, or if they qualify for certain nonresident exemptions. Beginning Summer 2026, non-California residents and international students pay $409 in tuition plus the $46 enrollment fee per unit, for a total of $455 per unit before other fees.
4. California Institute of Integral Studies
California Institute of Integral Studies is a private, nonprofit university founded in 1968 by Dr. Haridas Chaudhuri and Bina Chaudhuri. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs through three schools, with more than 30 programs and 1,877 students enrolled in fall 2024.
CIIS programs span fields such as psychology, counseling, philosophy, spirituality, religion, health studies, and the arts. For 2026-2027, degree-program tuition ranges from $1,028 per unit for undergraduate division students to $1,674 per unit for doctoral division students.
5. Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University, named after one of San Francisco’s most renowned landmarks, was founded in 1901. It is a private, nonprofit university focused on flexible online and hybrid programs for working adults, with programs in areas such as business and management, accounting, psychology, technology, taxation, and law.
GGU offers 60+ online and hybrid degrees and certificates. Beginning Summer 2026, undergraduate tuition is $850 per unit. New graduate business and accounting students pay either a $13,080 full-time flat rate per term for 9 to 15 units or $1,090 per unit for fewer than 9 units. Taxation tuition is $1,250 per unit, and 2025-2026 law tuition ranges from $660 to $1,860 per unit depending on the program.
San Francisco’s cost of living can be high, but students still have several options with different tuition structures. Compare residency rules, per-unit charges, program fees, and living costs before choosing a school.
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in San Francisco was helpful. Make sure also to check out the Study in the USA page and Available Programs for International Students to learn more about schooling opportunities in the country!
