For students at the University of San Francisco, the cost of living is a daily concern. University financial aid data estimates total annual student expenses at nearly $90,000, combining tuition, housing, food, transportation and personal costs.
According to USF’s published cost of attendance, undergraduate tuition totals $63,880 per year. When living expenses are included, yearly costs reach $89,298 for students living on campus and $90,854 for those living off campus. The overall cost of living in San Francisco is about 64% higher than the national average. Students say the numbers reflect real financial pressures tied to living in one of the nation’s most expensive cities. Tuition per year at a domestic private university costs an average of about $44,961.
Sophomore communication studies major Joey Hruban said, “I always need to check my (bank) account… Am I going to have money?… no, but maybe.” Sophomore architecture student Ava Egan said, “I think about it (costs) at least four times a day.” Everyday purchases often trigger budgeting decisions. “Whenever I’m buying something at the Undercaf… should I be spending $15 on this right now? Is this sustainable?” she said.
Students said their financial concerns focus primarily on necessities. Lana Borrillo, a junior history major, described thinking about affordability “daily multiple times… usually about food and necessities, I’m not shopping for myself.” Consumer prices have increased about 3% over 2025, with food prices rising 4.3% within the past year.
This echoed by the 41% of national college students that face food insecurity. Rising food prices were frequently mentioned as the first expense students reduce when money is tight. San Francisco grocery prices are 16% higher than the national average. Borrillo added, “The thing I always cut back on is food, I start limiting what I’m eating for the sake of saving money and a lot of the times that means maybe not eating enough.”
Egan added, “The other day I bought an $18 sandwich, and the only thing I ate for the entire day was that one sandwich.”
Students also reported relying on food programs at the USF, including the food pantry in the Gleeson Library Monihan Atrium and the Community Garden.
With median rent exceeding $3,000, high housing costs further strain students’ sense of independence. Despite the University’s housing estimates, students say supporting themselves fully in San Francisco feels unrealistic.
Alex Heizer, a junior biology student, said, “I am in no way financially independent, and if I was, I wouldn’t have enough money to live [in SF].”
Egan pointed to routine expenses as another unaffordable element of living in San Francisco — “I spent almost $20 on laundry the other day… The act of doing laundry just makes me so anxious… I’m gonna have to spend at least $16 just to clean my clothes” .
Financial stress is closely tied to anxiety, students reported. Some described periodic anxiety tied to debt and financial responsibility. 59% of college students experience at least one form of basic need insecurity. Heizer said, “It’s particularly stressful.. I felt like a very big financial burden to my parents for supporting me out here…I am very grateful for everything.”
Financial pressures often also influence academic decisions. Students reported working jobs that conflict with school responsibilities. “I’ll sacrifice my time I would otherwise dedicate to school or to study,” Borrillo said.
Egan continued by adding, “There have been times I wanted to do an internship or expand my professional experience for my future profession…But I needed to make money, so I worked a job that I wasn’t interested in or helped me professionally.”
Employment hours compete with studying, internships and extracurricular involvement. “There are often conflicts…I won’t attend guest seminars because I have a shift,” added Borrillo.
Student’s budgeting strategies vary. Some students attempt to use financial apps. Others rely on informal tracking rather than structured budgeting. Egan said, “I budgeted at the beginning of the year…I know how much money I can spend a week.. Most of it happens in my head.” She continued, saying “I haven’t checked my bank account this semester because I’m scared.”
Many students questioned whether student life in San Francisco is financially sustainable long term. Describing affordability, Hruban said, “anywhere you can get a good bite to eat for 8-10 dollars is what I call a unicorn price,” Borrillo adding “affordability is staying home”
When asked what university leaders should understand, students pointed to structural challenges rather than individual spending choices, calling for lower tuition, expanded basic-needs programs and recognition that costs outside the university need to be considered more often.
