What Is It Known For?
City College of San Francisco began as the vision of Archibald Jete Cloud, Chief Deputy Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District. He established this public community college in 1935 to meet student demand for both academic and vocational education within the district framework. What started as one campus has grown into an institution with 11 sites throughout the city.
Today, the college serves over 60,000 students annually across its various locations. The school has developed into a multicultural institution that provides affordable access to higher education. You can choose from more than 250 degrees and certificates, plus transferable credits and career advancement courses.
Degrees & Certifications
The college offers Degree, Certificate & Transfer programs. Some of the courses you can find here include:
- Fashion
- Film production
- Food Service Management
- Philosophy
- Motorcycle technology
- Pharmacy technician
- Yoga
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
You have scheduling flexibility with day, evening, and weekend classes available. The college provides online courses with educational technology resources to support your learning. Many programs also offer hybrid formats that combine online and in-person instruction.
Some programs include hands-on experience beyond the classroom. The pharmacy technician course, for example, incorporates externships where you gain supervised work experience at healthcare facilities.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. City College of San Francisco is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).
The school also has Programmatic Accreditations, which you can find on their website.
Acceptance Rate
City College of San Francisco operates with open enrollment, accepting 100% of students who apply and meet basic requirements.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Your residency status determines tuition costs:
- California residents: $46 per semester unit
- San Francisco residents: Free enrollment
- Non-California residents: $406 plus $46 enrollment fee per unit
- International students: $400 plus $46 enrollment fee per unit
These base costs may not include additional fees that specific courses require. Use the school’s net price calculator to get a more complete picture of what your chosen program will actually cost.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality Management
- Management
- Marketing
Healthcare
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Dental Assisting
- Sonography
- ECG Technician
- EMT
- Health Information Technology
- Licensed Vocation Nursing
- Medical Assisting
- Paramedic
- Personal Training
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Public Health
- Registered Nursing
Professional Services
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Theatre Arts
- Music
- Culinary Arts
- Manufacturing
- HVAC
- Motorcycle Technology
Skilled Trades
- Construction Technology
- Automotive Technology
Technology
- Web Development
- Computer Networking and Information Technology
- Computer Programming
- Data Analytics
- Linux and Database Administration
- Computer Aided Design
Real Estate
- Real Estate
Campus Locations
San Francisco 808 Kearny St. (@ Washington St) San Francisco, CA 94108
San Francisco 88 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94103
San Francisco 1400 Evans Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124
San Francisco 1860 Hayes Street San Francisco, CA 94117
San Francisco 1125 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
San Francisco 50 Frida Kahlo Way, San Francisco, CA 94112
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) has a highly polarized reputation. While the institution is overwhelmingly praised for the high quality of its teaching and its crucial affordability—especially for San Francisco residents—it is undercut by deep-seated administrative chaos and organizational turmoil that has plagued the institution for over a decade.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Education and Dedicated Professors: The most frequent positive feedback is about the professors, who are consistently described as knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to student success. Many reviewers feel the quality of teaching is excellent and prepares them well for transfer to four-year universities like UC Berkeley.
Exceptional Affordability and Accessibility: A key highlight is the “Free City College” program, which offers free tuition for San Francisco residents, making it an accessible path to education for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Diverse and Supportive Environment: The college is praised for its highly diverse student body and supportive atmosphere, where students feel they are “seen” and can grow and thrive. (Demographics show a diverse mix with Asian (31.9%) and Hispanic/Latino (28.5%) students being the two largest groups).
Variety of Programs and Flexibility: CCSF offers a wide range of courses and certificate programs, from vocational trades to academic subjects for transfer, as well as multiple campuses and online class options for flexibility.
Strong Transfer Pathways: The college has a high overall transfer rate, with most students transferring to universities in the California State University and University of California systems.
Common Criticisms
Severe Administrative and Organizational Problems: This is the most significant and consistent negative theme, with reviewers describing the administration as a “complete mess.” Historical news coverage confirms a decade of administrative instability, financial mismanagement, and high chancellor turnover (10 chancellors in 12 years at one point).
Class Availability Crisis: Students report being deprived of educational opportunities due to an aggressive reduction in class offerings over the last few years, leading to massive waitlists for essential courses and difficulties in graduating on time.
Rude, Unhelpful Staff: While professors are praised, some staff members, particularly in the admissions and financial aid offices, are described as “rude,” “unhelpful,” and “incompetent.” Specific complaints focus on non-existent registration help and long waits for transcripts.
Poor Facilities and Technical Issues: Reviews mention that the campus is “run down” and that some buildings need renovation. Some students also struggle with the online learning platform and technical support.
Low Full-Time Retention Rate: The full-time retention rate for undergraduates is 62%, which is slightly below the average for similar Associate Colleges (64%).
Momentum
The momentum for CCSF is highly volatile. The college’s core academic mission and affordability are strong, but this is overshadowed by persistent administrative and financial instability. While recent news indicates CCSF has cleared its accreditation warning status and hired a permanent chancellor (as of mid-2025), ongoing budget crises have led to repeated layoffs and drastic class cuts, creating a high level of uncertainty for students and frustrating the community. The college is stabilizing its finances but at the cost of shrinking its course offerings.