- Universities in San Francisco
- Ranked in at least one ranking
- Different Rankings list
- Universities in San Francisco
- (20 institution and 7 subject rankings)
- Global Rankings rank
- Universities in San Francisco
- Among TOP 200
San Francisco is a city which offers its residents endless options when it comes to enjoying art and music, and it’s also a great place to be a foodie thanks to San Francisco’s signature dishes like clam chowder or the Italian-American Cioppino, and a big emphasis on places to have brunch.
The city has a rich character, offering many different kinds of lifestyles that should appeal to just about anyone. For those who are still in higher education, San Francisco also offers a total of 12 different higher education institutions to enroll in.
PROS
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The city is very walkable, with it being possible to walk across the span of 4 or 5 neighbourhoods in approximately 30-40 minutes. This gives locals the chance to discover the city more intimately than if they were always using public transport.
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San Francisco’s cityscape has thoroughly embraced public parks, as you can find one every few blocks in most cases. Natural public spaces give residents a way of taking a break from the busy city surroundings.
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The city has a strong reputation for being politically liberal, and many LGBT residents report that they’ve felt welcome in the city.
CONS
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San Francisco’s housing situation is infamously expensive, with the average price for a 2-bedroom apartment being a staggering $3,600. To offset this issue, make sure to choose more affordable neighbourhoods which are also close enough to where you need to be every day.
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The majority of job opportunities in San Francisco are related to Tech positions, although it is entirely realistic to be able to find employment in other sectors. It’s likely to take a few months to get a job offer.
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The cost of living in general for San Francisco is extremely high, and can even be the most expensive city in the country depending on the year and the economy.
For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in San Francisco, USA
- 28 Nov, 2022: Urap published most recent results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Includes 3 universities from San Francisco.
- 23 Nov, 2022: Publication of THE Global Employability University Ranking. University of California, San Francisco ranked #176.
- 16 Nov, 2022: THE Times Higher Education, UK published most recent results of THE World Reputation Rankings. University of California, San Francisco achieves position 45.
- 24 Oct, 2022: Publication of US News: Best Global Universities. University of California, San Francisco with highest ranking among universities in San Francisco ranked #16.
Highest subject rankings of universities in San Francisco
Rankings of universities in San Francisco, USA 2023
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 08 June, 2022] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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San Francisco State University
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 08 June, 2022] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 04 April, 2022] |
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CWTS Leiden Ranking
[Published 22 June, 2022] |
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Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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California Institute of Integral Studies
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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US News Best National Universities
[Published 11 September, 2022] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |

University of California, Hastings College of the Law
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |

San Francisco Conservatory of Music
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |

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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |

Presidio Graduate School
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2022] |
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Student Opinions About Studying in San Francisco
“Something you quickly notice when you live here is how many tech companies there are in the city. This stereotype about San Francisco is completely accurate, nearly every advert you see is for some kind of trendy new business promoting an on-demand service. All this is reflected in the job opportunities here, as most opportunities are coming from these start-ups.”
“San Francisco is very into exercising, whether it be walking everywhere, taking their bike, or Yoga sessions in the city’s innumerable parks. The cost of living may be high, but it’s clear that residents have a good quality of life in the city.”
“There’s always some kind of event or concert going on in the city, from Fleet Week to SantaCon, and they have a way of enticing you to check them out. You should always keep an eye on bulletin boards in case there’s something going on that interests you.”
San Francisco Key Facts for International Students
Population: 865000
Elevation: 16 m. above sea level
Time: GMT -8
District/province: California, San Francisco County
* 100 = prices in London
- Living costs without accommodation 116* (16% more expensive than London)
- All costs including accommodation 130* (30% more expensive than London)
- Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 119* (19% more expensive than London)
- Average Big Mac price 5.15 US$
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- Residential voltage: 120 V
- Frequency: 60 Hz
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- Residential voltage: 120 V
- Frequency: 60 Hz
Map with location of universities in San Francisco



Ranking publishers
4icu
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 11 August, 2022
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Universities:
- 11087
- Published:
- 08 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
- Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Universities:
- 6000
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
- Research Performance 40%
Quality of Education 25%
Alumni Employment 25%
Quality of Faculty 10%
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Universities:
- 3718
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
- Academic research publication
Forbes
- Universities:
- 1098
- Published:
- 30 August, 2022
Kiplinger
- Universities:
- 500
- Published:
- 31 July, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:
- Quality Criteria 55%
Cost Criteria 45%
MONEY
- Universities:
- 50
- Published:
- 25 August, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges You Can Actually Get Into:
- Quality of education 33.33%
Affordability 33.33%
Outcomes 33.33%
- Universities:
- 1362
- Published:
- 16 May, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:
- Quality of education 33.33%
Affordability 33.33%
Outcomes 33.33%
- Universities:
- 50
- Published:
- 25 August, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Colleges That Add the Most Value:
- Quality of education 33.33%
Affordability 33.33%
Outcomes 33.33%
NTU ranking
- Universities:
- 2059
- Published:
- 02 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
- Research excellence 40%
Research impact 35%
Research productivity 25%
- Universities:
- 354
- Published:
- 20 October, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU North America:
- Research productivity 25%
Research impact 35%
Research Excellence 40%
Nature Index
- Universities:
- 9200
- Published:
- 16 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
- Article count (AC)
Fractional count (FC)
Weighted fractional count (WFC)
Payscale
- Universities:
- 2688
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):
- Ranking is based on ROI
- Universities:
- 3158
- Published:
- 11 November, 2021
Scimago Institutions
- Universities:
- 12387
- Published:
- 04 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
- Research 50%
Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Universities:
- 12016
- Published:
- 15 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
- Alumni winning research prizes 10%
Staff winning research prizes 20%
Research paper publications 20%
Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded and Social Science Citation Index 20%
Per capita academic performance 10%
StuDocu
- Universities:
- 556
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 735
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
- Employability (survey) 100%
- Universities:
- 627
- Published:
- 16 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:
- Research Reputation 66,6%
Teaching Reputation 33,3%
- Universities:
- 348
- Published:
- 10 May, 2022
Urap
- Universities:
- 9002
- Published:
- 28 November, 2022
Us News
- Universities:
- 2820
- Published:
- 11 September, 2022
- Universities:
- 5248
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 1593
- Published:
- 14 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:
- Outcomes 40% (employability)
Resources 30%
Engagement 20% (teaching)
Environment 10% (diversity)
Washington Monthly
- Universities:
- 1222
- Published:
- 28 August, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Washington Monthly - National Universities:
- Social Mobility 33.33%
Research 33.33%
Community and National Service 33.33%
Webometrics
- Universities:
- 36007
- Published:
- 01 January, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
- Visibility 50%
Excellence 35%
Transparency 10%
Presence 5%