University of San Francisco - Student Body

Student Body

The University of San Francisco enrolled 5,278 undergraduates, 2,518 graduate students, and 210 law students in Fall 2007. Women made up 61.9% of the student body and students originated from all fifty states and sixty-nine foreign countries. 82.4% of students matriculated after their first year, the 4-year graduation rate is 49%, and the 6-year graduation rate is 65%. In 2011 38.5% of students were Catholic, 10.2% no religion, 6.6% Protestant, 2.1% Jewish, 2.0% Buddhist, 1.5% Muslim, 0.6% Hindu and 30.4% unspecified.

In the 1800s, USF's diversity (then St. Ignatius College) was mostly a reflection of the diversity inherent in San Francisco. For example, when Italian, Irish, German and French migrants came to San Francisco, the population of European students in USF increased as well. USF's student population diversity has increased throughout the last century. Filipinos started attending the university in the 1920s, after the United States' annexation of Philippines. In 1960s, Mexicans, African Americans, Chinese, Norwegians came to USF. The 1970s marked the start of students from Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia, coming to USF. In 1964, 473 women enrolled as full-time undergraduates marking the first time women attended USF.

A school census of Fall 1993 undergraduate freshmen indicated 42.66% Whites, 23% Asian Americans, 11% International students, 10% Hispanic/Latinos. 5% African Americans, 0.34% Native Americans and 8% of students in the census chose not to specify. Enrollment in Fall 1993 was a total of 7,662 students, 62.5% of whom were undergraduates. In 2002, a plan was developed by the university to increase the diversity of the USF student population. This plan was enacted by university officials, who also enlisted the help of USF alumni to "assemble a mix of students that will help USF achieve its vision: to educate leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world." In 2002, 64.4% of undergraduates were female and 35.6% were male. The plan sought to address concerns of the gender ratio and increase the percentage of international students at USF from 9.4% to around 15%. A statement made by USF President, Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J. (2000 to present) in an interview by USF Magazine highlighted the importance the university placed on the diversity of its student population. The USF President clarified the scope of diversity to include "ethnicity, gender and life experiences". In December 2006, USF was awarded a $500,000 grant by the Lumina Foundation for Education to examine "how best to recruit and retain low-income, first-generation, and ethnic minority students at Jesuit universities."

Surveys show that USF students consistently value diversity at USF. A survey conducted for graduating students on 24 May 2007 by USF's Office of Student Enrichment Programs indicated that 86% felt that individual ethnicity, religion, race and other differences were valued at USF. The same survey records that 70% of the graduating students agreed that their appreciation of those differences increased while they were at USF. The result was consistent with past surveys conducted on graduating students, where over the period from May 1997 to December 1999, the result ranged from 78% to 84% for students valued the mentioned differences and 63% to 72% for those who "felt their appreciation of differences increased while at USF." In 2004, a survey by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute indicated that 80% of USF students "considered it essential or very important that their undergraduate experience" developed their personal values. This statistic was higher than the national average sampling of 67%.

The University of San Francisco actively recruits and enrolls over 700 international students from over 70 countries, including: Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, France, Norway, Austria, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. USF also hosts J-1 exchange and Intensive English Program student participants.

The University of San Francisco attracted 783 international students (9.0% of the student body) in 2007. International students have a dedicated orientation period and a variety of internationally-oriented student groups like the International Student Association, Global Living Community, an International Advisory Council, and an International Network Program. USF sponsors an annual International Education Week with an international fair featuring consulates in the San Francisco area, storytelling opportunities, educational speakers, and a performance event called "Culturescape".