This page gives you a complete, straightforward breakdown of tuition, fees, and living expenses. Affordability and transparency are central to SFBU’s mission.

Understanding Your Costs

There are two types of costs to plan for. Your total cost of attendance includes what SFBU bills you directly and estimates for living expenses you'll manage on your own.

Direct costs billed by SFBU: These appear on your student account and are paid to the university: tuition, student fees, and SFBU Housing if you live on campus.

Indirect costs not billed by SFBU: These are estimates for personal living expenses, off-campus housing, food, and transportation. What you spend depends on your situation.
 

Cost of Attendance

These cost estimates are based on a full-time academic year (Fall and Spring). Full-time status is 12 to 18 credits per semester. To complete a 120-credit degree in four years, we strongly encourage carrying a minimum of 15 credits each semester.

Direct costs: billed by SFBU

Cost DescriptionPer SemesterPer Year
Tuition (12 to 18 credits, full-time)$4,950$9,900
Student fees$455$910
SFBU Housing (optional)$4,000$8,000
Total direct costs (with SFBU housing)$9,405$18,810

Indirect costs: for your financial planning

Cost DescriptionPer SemesterPer Year
Student health insurance ($889 Fall/ $1,496 Spring/Summer)
Students enrolled in a qualifying health plan may request a waiver. 		 $2,385
Off-campus housing (Bay Area estimate)$11,875$23,750
Food and personal supplies$2,400$4,800

The part -time (fewer than 12 credits) tuition rate is $330 per credit. Enrolling in fewer than 15 credits per semester will extend your program and may affect your scholarship eligibility.

Planning to enroll in summer? See the FAQs for summer session costs.

These cost estimates are based on a full-time academic year (Fall and Spring). Graduate programs require a minimum of 30 credits, so check your program for the exact requirement. Full-time enrollment (9 credits per semester) typically lets students complete most programs in two years.

Direct costs: billed by SFBU

Cost DescriptionPer SemesterPer Year
Tuition (9 credits, full-time)$4,050$8,100
Student fees$455$910
SFBU Housing (optional)$4,000$8,000
Total direct costs (with SFBU housing)$8,505$17,010

Indirect costs: for your financial planning

Cost DescriptionPer SemesterPer Year
Student health insurance ($1,511 Fall & $2,542 Spring/Summer)
Students enrolled in a qualifying health plan may request a waiver. 		 $4,053
Off-campus housing (Bay Area estimate)$11,875$23,750
Food and personal supplies$2,400$4,800

The part-time tuition rate is $450 per credit. Enrolling in fewer than 9 credits per semester will extend your program and may affect your scholarship eligibility.

Planning to enroll in summer? See the FAQs for summer session costs.

Scholarships

Most students pay less than full tuition.

SFBU awards merit-based scholarships at admission with no separate application needed. Awards automatically renew each year when you meet enrollment and GPA requirements.

Receive $1k - $9K in merit scholarships per year

On-campus jobs available to help cover living expenses

Pay your semester balance in two scheduled installments

View Scholarships and Financial Aid to estimate your award

Frequently Asked Questions About Cost and Financial Aid

According to U.S. News & World Report’s review of 2023–2024 tuition rates, SFBU charges $31,000 less than the average U.S. private university. That’s a significant difference, and it doesn’t come at the cost of quality. SFBU students graduate career-ready, with 70% employed within six months at companies like Google, Amazon, Tesla, Salesforce, and Wells Fargo.

When you factor in merit scholarships awarded at admission, an SFBU education is one of the most accessible private university options in the Bay Area.

Direct costs are billed to your SFBU student account: tuition, student fees, and SFBU Housing if you live on campus. These are the amounts you pay directly to the university.

Indirect costs, such as off-campus housing, food, and transportation, are not billed by SFBU. They are estimates to help you budget. What you spend will depend on your living situation.

Health insurance is a bit of both. It’s an indirect cost, but if you don’t have your own qualifying coverage, SFBU health insurance will be billed directly to your student account. Students with existing coverage may request a waiver during the designated waiver period. For costs and waiver details, visit Student Health Insurance.

Fees cover registration and access to campus resources, technology, and student services each semester.

Summer sessions are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Summer is a great opportunity to stay on track or get ahead.

Undergraduate 

These cost estimates are based on 9 credits. If a student drops below a full-time course load, they will be charged a tuition rate of $330 per credit.

Direct costs: billed by SFBU

Tuition & Fees$3,200
SFBU Housing (optional)$2,000
Total direct costs (with SFBU housing)$5,200

Graduate

These cost estimates are based on 9 credits. If a student drops below a full-time course load, they will be charged a tuition rate of $450 per credit.

Direct costs: billed by SFBU

Tuition & Fees$4,280
SFBU Housing (optional)$2,000
Total direct costs (with SFBU housing)$6,280

No. SFBU reviews all applicants for merit scholarships automatically as part of the admissions process. Your scholarship offer will be included with your admissions letter if you qualify. Awards automatically renew each year when you maintain full-time enrollment and the GPA requirements (2.0 for undergraduate or full-tuition awards and 3.0 for graduate).

Undergraduate students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits are charged $330 per credit. Graduate students enrolled in fewer than 9 credits are charged $450 per credit. Taking fewer credits will extend your time to graduation and scholarship eligibility requires full-time enrollment to remain active.

If you have questions about your enrollment plan, contact your enrollment counselor before the semester begins.

Health insurance is required for all enrolled students, but you have options.  If you’re already covered under a qualifying plan, you can request a waiver during the designated waiver period each year.  If you don’t provide proof of your own coverage, SFBU health insurance will be billed directly to your student account each semester.

For costs and waiver details, visit Student Health Insurance.

SFBU is currently working toward Title IV eligibility. Once eligible, domestic students will be required to submit the FAFSA in future academic years. If federal aid becomes available, it may be used alongside or in place of institutional scholarships rather than adding to total awarded aid.

In the meantime, SFBU's merit scholarship program is the primary source of institutional aid. Your enrollment counselor can answer questions about your situation.

 Yes, you may enroll in a payment plan to pay your semester balance in two scheduled installments. For information about payment plans, billing cycles, and due dates, visit Billing and Payment FAQs.

Contact

Office of Admissions 

161 Mission Falls Lane, Fremont, California 94539
Phone: (510) 803-7328 Ext. 1
Email: admissions@sfbu.edu

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