University of San Francisco: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

The University of San Francisco is a private university with an acceptance rate of 65%. Founded in 1855, the University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit school located right in the heart of San Francisco. The university emphasizes service learning, global awareness, diversity, and environmental sustainability. USF offers students numerous international opportunities including over 100 study abroad programs in 45 countries. The university has an average class size of 29 and a 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio. The sciences, social sciences, and business fields are popular majors among undergraduates. In athletics, the USF Dons compete in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference.

Considering applying to the University of San Francisco? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, the University of San Francisco had an acceptance rate of 65%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 65 students were admitted, making USF's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with fall 2020 admissions, the University of San Francisco is test-optional. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 72% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of University of San Francisco's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to USF scored between 570 and 660, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 660. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 670, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 670. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1330 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at the University of San Francisco.

Requirements

The University of San Francisco does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that USF participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Beginning with fall 2020 admissions, the University of San Francisco is test-optional. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 36% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us most of USF's admitted students fall within the top 36% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to University of San Francisco received a composite ACT score between 22 and 29, while 25% scored above 29 and 25% scored below 22.

Requirements

USF does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, the University of San Francisco superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of University of San Francisco's incoming freshmen class was 3.54. This information suggests that most successful applicants to USF have primarily high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of San Francisco. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of San Francisco, which accepts nearly two-thirds of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being admitted. However, University of San Francisco has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. Strong application essays and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule which includes Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and Dual enrollment classes. Applicants with compelling stories and achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside USF's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. As the data points show, the majority of students who got into University of San Francisco had at least a B average, an SAT score (ERW+M) above 1050, and an ACT composite score of 21 or higher. An applicant's chances increase measurably if grades and standardized test scores are a little above this lower range.

If You Like the University of San Francisco, You May Also Like These Schools

• Loyola Marymount University
• Pepperdine University
• Stanford University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and University of San Francisco Undergraduate Admissions Office.