San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University (San Francisco State, SF State and SFSU) is a public research university in San Francisco. It was established in 1899 as the San Francisco State Normal School and is part of the California State University system.
Not to be confused with the University of San Francisco or the University of California, San Francisco.
Former name
San Francisco State Normal School (1899–1921)
San Francisco State Teachers College (1921–1935)
San Francisco State College (1935–1972)
California State University, San Francisco (1972–1974)
Experientia Docet (Latin)
"Experience Teaches"
1899
$140.8 million (2020)[1]
$354.6 million (2023)[2]
1,822 (2023) [3]
2074 (2023) [3]
23,700 (2023)[3]
20,673 (2023)[3]
2746 (2023)[3]
Large city, 141.1 acres (57.1 ha)[4]
Golden Gate Xpress
Purple and gold[5]
Gator
San Francisco State Teacher's College
1/7/2008
N2378[6]
It offers 120 bachelor's degree programs, 106 master's degree programs, and 3 doctoral degree programs, along with 23 teaching credential programs among seven colleges.[7][8][9] The 144.1-acre main campus is located in the southwest part of the city, less than two miles from the Pacific coast.[10] The university has 12 varsity athletic teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level.
San Francisco State is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."[11] It is also a designated Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander serving institution (AANAPISI).[12]
San Francisco State's past and present faculty and alumni include 21 Pulitzer Prize winners, 16 Academy Award winners, 49 Emmy Award winners, 10 Grammy Award winners, 12 Tony Award laureates.[13]
Student life and traditions[edit]
Student organizations[edit]
As of April 2024, SFSU has 260 formally recognized student organizations.[198] In order to receive funding, student organizations must be formally recognized by the Office of Student Activities & Events.[199]
49 Greek life organizations are formally recognized[200] and include chapters of Alpha Phi, Sigma Pi Alpha, and Phi Sigma Sigma.
Housing[edit]
SFSU has three on-campus housing neighborhoods: the Central Neighborhood, the North Neighborhood, and the South Neighborhood. These neighborhoods are further divided into housing communities.[201] Also Parkmerced, a planned neighborhood consisting of high-rise and low-rise apartments, is located to the south of the university.[202]
Rob Schneider, actor and comedian
