The University of San Francisco (USF) was founded in 1855 as the Saint Ignatius Academy – an all male university, which offered degrees in various foreign languages, history, arithmetic, bookkeeping and geography. The college changed its name to the University of San Francisco in 1930 and became coeducational in 1964. Today, the college has an enrollment of over 11,000 students with graduate degrees in law, health services and management.
Mission/Vision
The core mission of the University of San Francisco is to promote learning in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The college also seeks to distinguish itself as a diverse institution of higher learning that seeks education sustained by faith that does justice. The University of San Francisco wants to be recognized as an international institution with a global perspective to create humane faith-based leaders.
Campus Setting
Located on a 55-acre campus between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden gate Park, the University of San Francisco is nicknamed the Hilltop because it is located at the top of one of San Francisco’s highest hills – Lone Mountain. There are six residence halls with special living conditions that include co-ed, women’s only and apartment-style dorms.
Academics
There are five different schools with a total choice of 70 different majors, minors and concentrations within the University of San Francisco including the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, the School of Education, the School of Management and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of San Francisco in the top 100 schools in the nation in 2018.
Athletics
Students at the University of San Francisco can enjoy a wide variety of activities at the Koret Health and Recreation Center (KO). The KO offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool, four basketball courts, racquetball and volleyball courts and a 3,200 square foot weight room. For those who prefer competitive sports, the college has basketball, soccer and baseball teams, along with excellent training facilities.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at USF is expensive whether students are from California or not. Additional fees include meal plans, rooms, lab fees and optional insurance. Assistance with tuition is available through the office of Financial Aid and it must be reapplied for each year. Please refer to the school’s website for the most up-to-date tuition and financial aid information.
Accreditation
USF is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and colleges, the School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the School of Management received its accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
Admissions
USF is a competitive school with an acceptance rate for new Freshman of 66 percent. The average GPA for admissions for 2013 was 3.65 with an average SAT score of 1167. All applicants must submit an application with a non-refundable $55 application fee. Along with the application, each applicant must submit an essay, one letter of recommendation, high school transcripts and standardized test scores.
For questions about the admission process, applicants may contact the admissions department directly at:
admission@usfca.edu
Office of Admissions
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: 415-422-6563
Fax: 415-422-2217
