San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers 118 different bachelor's degrees, 94 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees along with 26 teaching credentials among six academic colleges. The university was founded in 1899 as a state-run normal school for training school teachers, obtaining state college status in 1921 and state university status in 1972. The 141 acre campus is located in the southwest part of the city, less than two miles from the Pacific coast. San Francisco State has 12 varsity athletic teams which compete at the NCAA Division II level, most as members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
| Motto | Experientia Docet (Latin) |
| Motto (English) | "Experience Teaches" |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1899 |
| Parent institution | California State University |
| Endowment | $140.8 million (2020) |
| Budget | $351 million (2016) |
| President | Lynn Mahoney |
| Academic staff | 1,620 (Fall 2013) |
| Administrative staff | 2,010 |
| Students | 27,075 (Fall 2020) |
| Undergraduates | 23,926 (Fall 2020) |
| Postgraduates | 2,821 (Fall 2020) |
| Campus | Urban, 141.1 acres |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
| Athletics | NCAA Division II – CCAA |
| Mascot | Gator |
About San Francisco State University
Founded as a state-run normal school for training school teachers, the university would obtain college status in 1921 followed by state university status in 1972.
Achievement of San Francisco State University
In 1906, an infamous earthquake and fire forced the school to relocate from Nob Hill to Buchanan and Haight Streets.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University Category.. Bay Area Television Archive - The Bay Area Television Archive is a regional moving image archive. It preserves and digitally restores 16mm newsfilm, documentaries and other shows produced by TV stations in Northern California, local Emmy Award-winning programs and privately donated film collections.. DOC Film Institute - The Documentary Film Institute, is an independent organization within San Francisco State University that is dedicated to support non-fiction cinema by promoting documentary films and filmmakers and producing films on socially and culturally important topics which deserve wider recognition.. Fourteen Hills: The Creative Writing MFA program's literary magazine.. New American Writing: once-a-year literary magazine.. Universities and colleges in San Francisco.. Public universities and colleges in California.. California State University.. Sunset District, San Francisco.. Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Latest information about San Francisco State University updated on July 28 2021.
