University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university founded in 1855, serving approximately 8,796 undergraduate and graduate students across five schools in San Francisco with multi-campus reach and tuition-based recurring revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1855
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of San Francisco does
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit Catholic university founded in 1855 in San Francisco, California, operating across five academic units: the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, School of Management, and School of Nursing & Health Professions. It serves approximately 8,796 undergraduate and graduate students (2025 enrollment) with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, more than 150 academic programs, and four physical locations including a 55-acre main hilltop campus, a downtown San Francisco site, and satellite campuses in Orange County and Sacramento. The institution delivers its educational offering through traditional in-person instruction, satellite campus programs, virtual information sessions, and mobile/digital platforms including the USFMobile app (integrated with Canvas LMS), the myUSF portal, and a graduate application portal.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (recurring subscription-like model across multi-year degree programs), supplemented by philanthropy (notably a $130,000 donation from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to the Cybersecurity Initiative), law school services (including antitrust class action administration through the School of Law), and external research grants (notably $250,000 in NASA funding in 2026 for dark matter/Hubble Space Telescope research and machine learning image analysis). The go-to-market is a traditional sales-led admissions model — campus tours, recruitment fairs, information sessions, ambassador programs — augmented by digital marketing across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. The customer base is highly diversified across four personas: prospective undergraduate students, prospective graduate students, alumni/donors, and international students recruited globally across markets including India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Italy, the UK, Norway, and Brazil. The institution holds NCAA Division I membership in the West Coast Conference and operates a 250-student-athlete athletics program.
University of San Francisco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of San Francisco
- Legal name
- University of San Francisco
- Website
- https://usfca.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1855
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university founded in 1855, serving approximately 8,796 undergraduate and graduate students across five schools in San Francisco with multi-campus reach and tuition-based recurring revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of San Francisco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where University of San Francisco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
University of San Francisco business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and related educational services across five academic schools/colleges
- Philanthropy and Donations: Private donations from alumni, foundations, and philanthropists such as Craig Newmark Philanthropies supporting specific initiatives like cybersecurity programs
- Law School Services: Revenue from law school operations including class action administration services and legal education programs
- Research Grants: External funding from organizations like NASA for scientific research programs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Summer in the Bay orientation program fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
University of San Francisco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university delivering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs across five schools (College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, School of Management, School of Nursing & Health Professions). It also sells professional certificates, executive education, and dual/4+1 programs, with NCAA Division I athletics and specialized research initiatives in cybersecurity, astrophysics, and social justice.
Product overview
The University of San Francisco offers a digital ecosystem comprising multiple interconnected platforms and services. The primary student-facing products include the USFMobile App (available on iOS and Android), which integrates with Canvas LMS for academic access, and the myUSF web portal for campus services. The university maintains public-facing websites (usfca.edu) and a graduate application portal (gradapply.usfca.edu). The institution has also launched a Cybersecurity Initiative with a student clinic component, supported by external philanthropy. These products serve the university's core educational mission by providing digital access to academic programs, campus services, and student support resources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs More than 150 undergraduate degree programs across arts, sciences, business, education, nursing, and law foundations, with community-engaged learning and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. For first-year students, transfer students, and international undergraduate applicants.
- Graduate Degree Programs Master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs across five academic schools, including Applied Economics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, International Development Economics, Museum Studies, Professional Communication, Public Administration, Sport Management, Writing for Young Readers, Computer Science, Energy Systems Management, Environmental Management, Global Studies, Migration Studies, and Public Leadership. For prospective graduate students and working professionals.
- School of Law JD and LLM Programs Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) programs including the International Human Rights Clinic and antitrust class action administration research via the Antitrust Annual Report partnership with Huntington Bank. For aspiring attorneys and legal professionals.
- Dual Degree and 4+1 Programs Combined undergraduate and graduate programs that allow students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated timeframe. For students seeking efficient pathways to advanced credentials.
- Professional Certificates
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) — tied for #1 among Division I institutions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use University of San Francisco
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
University of San Francisco technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability3 records
Feature1 record
University of San Francisco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Huntington BankcoreHuntington Bank co-published the 2025 Antitrust Annual Report with USF School of Law, recognizing A.B. Data as a top antitrust class action administrator for the eighth consecutive year.
- A.B. DatacoreA.B. Data, a top antitrust class action settlement administrator, maintains its status through the 2025 Antitrust Annual Report published in partnership with Huntington Bank and USF School of Law. USF Law School provides academic expertise while A.B. Data contributes industry administration experience.
- Global Justice KenyacoreUSF School of Law's International Human Rights Clinic partnered with Global Justice Kenya to file 15 UN complaints on behalf of Kenyan migrant workers disabled under Saudi Arabia's kafala system. The partnership combines legal clinic expertise with grassroots justice organization knowledge.
- United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiescoreThe UN body received 15 complaints filed by USF Law Clinic on behalf of Kenyan workers. The complaints represent a novel legal strategy using international disability rights treaty to challenge labor exploitation.
- Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT)minorUSF women's basketball team received at-large bid to the 48-team WNIT (Women's National Invitational Tournament), competing alongside other regional college basketball programs.
- West Coast Conference (WCC)coreUSF competes in NCAA Division I West Coast Conference, which governs athletic competition including air quality protocols for outdoor sports and conference tournament scheduling.
- Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys)minorCybersecurity student organization affiliated with national WiCys for mentorship opportunities as part of Craig Newmark Philanthropies-supported Cybersecurity Initiative.
- NCAAcoreUSF Athletics operates under NCAA Division I regulations, including recent NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) provisions and transfer portal policies that influenced establishment of Bridge to Excellence Funds.
- Innovation Summit (USF)minorStudent startup Globana (founded by three USF students) received visibility and $5,000 funding after pitching at the University's Innovation Summit where they were voted audience top picks. Professor Johnathan Cromwell provided key supporting role.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of San Francisco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marquette University: Jesuit university in Milwaukee, fellow NCAA Division I peer tied with USF at 99% Graduation Success Rate, with comparable professional schools including law, business, and nursing.
- Loyola Marymount University: Jesuit-Marymount Catholic university in Los Angeles with comparable undergraduate enrollment scale, NCAA Division I athletics (WCC peer), and similar mix of professional schools including law, business, and education.
- University of San Diego: Private Catholic university in Southern California with similar enrollment scale, NCAA Division I athletics, and a comparable portfolio of professional schools including law, business, nursing, and education.
- Gonzaga University: Jesuit peer and West Coast Conference athletic competitor with comparable NCAA Division I profile, similar private university scale, and overlapping graduate/professional programs including law.
- Pepperdine University: Private Christian university in Malibu and WCC athletic peer with comparable graduate professional programs including law, business, and education; competes for Southern California and international students.
- University of the Pacific: Private California university with comparable professional school mix (law, business, pharmacy, education) and similar enrollment scale; WCC athletic peer for shared NCAA Division I competition.
- Saint Mary's College of California: Catholic, De La Salle Christian Brothers university in the East Bay, fellow WCC athletic peer with comparable enrollment scale and strong regional competitor for Bay Area students.
- Loyola University Chicago: Large Jesuit university in Chicago with comprehensive professional schools (law, business, medicine, nursing, education) at similar enrollment scale and graduate program breadth as USF.
- Santa Clara University: Closest direct Jesuit peer in the Bay Area. Santa Clara is a private Jesuit Catholic university in Silicon Valley offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs with similar mission-driven positioning and Bay Area employer access.
Broad incumbents
- Boston College: Larger and more established Jesuit research university; also tied with USF at 99% NCAA Graduation Success Rate. Serves as a broader incumbent benchmark for Jesuit higher education brand and research positioning, though with substantially larger scale and national profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of San Francisco social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of San Francisco compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
University of San Francisco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of San Francisco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
University of San Francisco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of San Francisco M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of San Francisco
What does University of San Francisco do?
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university delivering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs across five schools (College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, School of Management, School of Nursing & Health Professions). It also sells professional certificates, executive education, and dual/4+1 programs, with NCAA Division I athletics and specialized research initiatives in cybersecurity, astrophysics, and social justice.
Is University of San Francisco a public or private company?
University of San Francisco is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of San Francisco founded?
University of San Francisco was founded in 1855. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of San Francisco based?
University of San Francisco is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of San Francisco make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are philanthropy and Donations, law School Services and research Grants.
Who are University of San Francisco's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marquette University, Loyola Marymount University, University of San Diego, Gonzaga University, Pepperdine University, University of the Pacific, Saint Mary's College of California, Loyola University Chicago and Santa Clara University. Boston College is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does University of San Francisco have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of San Francisco.
What industry is University of San Francisco in?
University of San Francisco's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAJ, Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.