University of San Francisco Master's Entry (MSN) - 2025

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There isn't a recent forum so I wanted to create one!

nursejoeycox said:

I applied for the SF campus and got put on the waitlist. However, I had already been accepted to a local CC ADN. Honestly, even if I were to get off of the waitlist, I would still pick the ADN program. I can still get my masters later on and ask the hospital I'm working for to pay for it. The cost of the entry MSN along with cost of living is definitely a lot, especially if you're going to be taking out loans.

I totally agree, the cost is a huge factor to consider. Anyone else accepted to SF thinking about other offers or looking at more affordable options?

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Just read this from a 2023 thread and might consider other schools.

"For those applying, wanted to provide my experience. I was a part of cohort 30.

The program is a MESS. You will never get your desired clinicals, random instructors without a nursing background/foundation will be thrown in last minute because usf never has instructors to teach the courses, and the worst part; the NCLEX pass rate is atrocious. Our first time pass rate was a 32%, and several of has made to retake it multiple times (and we were considered one of the brightest cohorts in years). USF will not prepare you for the NCLEX; all of the questions throughout your courses will be pulled out from the Saunders book, meaning you will not learn critical thinking skills needed to pass the NCLEX. 

USF LIES about their pass rate, and its very clear when talking to other cohorts as well. For the price you're paying, you're better off at your local state college or even CC. USF was a terrible choice and the biggest mistake I've made in my life ngl. 

Please think through your decision before committing. You are charged a Premium price, but then given mediocre teachers, program director who thinks he is god because he went to duke, no access to simulation labs, and disorganized clinicals

 

sorry about the rant, but wanted to inform you guys as I see USF markets themselves to be a top ranking nursing program, but in reality, they're an overpriced school that can charge anything they want because it is sf "

Any other SF accepted students considering other choices as well (Better Schools or Finances)?

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2025FutureNurse said:

Just read this from a 2023 thread and might consider other schools.

"For those applying, wanted to provide my experience. I was a part of cohort 30.

The program is a MESS. You will never get your desired clinicals, random instructors without a nursing background/foundation will be thrown in last minute because usf never has instructors to teach the courses, and the worst part; the NCLEX pass rate is atrocious. Our first time pass rate was a 32%, and several of has made to retake it multiple times (and we were considered one of the brightest cohorts in years). USF will not prepare you for the NCLEX; all of the questions throughout your courses will be pulled out from the Saunders book, meaning you will not learn critical thinking skills needed to pass the NCLEX. 

USF LIES about their pass rate, and its very clear when talking to other cohorts as well. For the price you're paying, you're better off at your local state college or even CC. USF was a terrible choice and the biggest mistake I've made in my life ngl. 

Please think through your decision before committing. You are charged a Premium price, but then given mediocre teachers, program director who thinks he is god because he went to duke, no access to simulation labs, and disorganized clinicals

 

sorry about the rant, but wanted to inform you guys as I see USF markets themselves to be a top ranking nursing program, but in reality, they're an overpriced school that can charge anything they want because it is sf "

Any other SF accepted students considering other choices as well (Better Schools or Finances)?

Yes, waiting to get off a waitlist for a few other programs (currently #1 on waitlist) but keeping USF as a placeholder. 

I spoke to a nursing professor I work with and asked her for her advice on this and I agree with her. Since this is a non-nursing degree, even though it's masters, you're still pretty much going to be entry once you leave. applying for a second bachelors or an accelerated bachelors seems to be the way to go even if we re-apply for next year. I don't to waste 100k+ for the same degree I can get for 10-50k. plus with the current political administration I'm worried about the future issues or loan issues that could arise and want to do this smart. 

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marimocha said:

Yes, waiting to get off a waitlist for a few other programs (currently #1 on waitlist) but keeping USF as a placeholder. 

I spoke to a nursing professor I work with and asked her for her advice on this and I agree with her. Since this is a non-nursing degree, even though it's masters, you're still pretty much going to be entry once you leave. applying for a second bachelors or an accelerated bachelors seems to be the way to go even if we re-apply for next year. I don't to waste 100k+ for the same degree I can get for 10-50k. plus with the current political administration I'm worried about the future issues or loan issues that could arise and want to do this smart. 

Yeah honestly, I feel you. It's hard to justify dropping over $130k for a program that still lands you in an entry-level RN spot, especially when there are cheaper ABSN or second bachelor options that get you to the same end goal.

I've been thinking about the same stuff—like, is it really worth it just for the "MSN" title if the job you get after doesn't change much, at least not right away? And with everything going on politically and financially, locking into a huge loan just feels risky.

If you're already #1 on another waitlist and leaning that way, I'd say trust your gut. Sounds like you're thinking long-term and being smart about it. No shame in walking away from a name-brand school if it's not giving you real value.

Hoping you get off the WL for your other school!!

I wonder if other SF admits are also thinking the same

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I have also heard negative reviews of this program. A coworker of mine graduated from it and had a very negative experience. They felt incredibly unprepared for the nursing field and "understimulated" by the clinical rotations and curriculum. I was accepted, but I do not plan to attend. 

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heavenly_falafel said:

I have also heard negative reviews of this program. A coworker of mine graduated from it and had a very negative experience. They felt incredibly unprepared for the nursing field and "understimulated" by the clinical rotations and curriculum. I was accepted, but I do not plan to attend. 

Ugh yeah, that part about feeling unprepared is honestly super discouraging. That's exactly what I've been worried about too. Like... what's the point of paying over $130k if you're just gonna end up feeling lost once you're actually on the job?

I've been having second thoughts for a while now, and hearing more of these experiences is definitely pushing me closer to walking away from it. At this point, it's hard not to wonder how many of us SF campus admits are feeling the same way but just haven't said it out loud yet.

Thanks for sharing super helpful to hear these firsthand takes and wish you luck on all your endeavors!

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Hi all, I'm really glad that I found this forum! I was accepted into USF MSN for fall 2025 - initially I'm very happy b/c my family is in the Bay Area and that I don't have to move. But I've been reading some negative comments/feedback about USF and got worried over time - mostly on the same points mentioned in previous comments:

1. lack of tuition transparency (I didn't know the tuition could be over $110k... and the information on their website isn't transparent or clear at all)

2. concerns on difficulty finding clinical placements and graduates feeling unprepared for jobs..

Do you guys know how I could talk to/meet with current students? (I personally don't have any connections to anyone who knows a current USF MSN student, so truly appreciate any advice here). 

Thanksss!

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heavenly_falafel said:

I have also heard negative reviews of this program. A coworker of mine graduated from it and had a very negative experience. They felt incredibly unprepared for the nursing field and "understimulated" by the clinical rotations and curriculum. I was accepted, but I do not plan to attend. 

Just wanted to throw this out there because I talked to two people over Thursday and Friday who just graduated from the Fall 2024 ME-MSN cohort at USF. Just like you mentioned, they both said they felt really unprepared for the nursing field when they finished.

They were excited at first but by the end felt pretty disappointed. Clinical placements were all over the place. Some students got lucky but a lot were scrambling last minute and barely got any real hands-on experience. One of them told me straight up they felt "undertrained" compared to new grads from other programs and it made job hunting way more stressful.

They also said the classes were super disorganized and a lot of the learning felt like it was self-taught. Professors were hit or miss and there wasn't a lot of real structure or support. Both said they had to put in extra work outside of school just to feel somewhat ready for NCLEX and new grad interviews.

When you combine that with taking out $130k+ in loans it really made me stop and think if the program is worth it. Both of them said if they could do it again they would have either done CCSF's ADN program and had their employer pay for a BSN or MSN later, or tried harder to get into SFSU's ABSN or MSN programs instead.

Everyone's experience is a little different but hearing it firsthand from recent grads definitely made me rethink if this is the smartest move right now. Especially when the same concerns keep popping up from different people.

Hope this helps someone who's still trying to make a decision like me.

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Wanted to add to this convo. Originally came to say that I declined the acceptance in case anyone is waitlisted and hoping to get off. I was accepted into SF state mepn program and am planning on going there. It makes more sense financially and I also align better with the program. I'm waitlisted for Davis but that's also super pricy! 

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I know the deadline is approaching, is anyone else still having second thoughts as well? And if so of what? 

Still hard to make a decision, but after reading everyone else's comments leaning one way. (SF Location)

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2025FutureNurse said:

Just wanted to throw this out there because I talked to two people over Thursday and Friday who just graduated from the Fall 2024 ME-MSN cohort at USF. Just like you mentioned, they both said they felt really unprepared for the nursing field when they finished.

They were excited at first but by the end felt pretty disappointed. Clinical placements were all over the place. Some students got lucky but a lot were scrambling last minute and barely got any real hands-on experience. One of them told me straight up they felt "undertrained" compared to new grads from other programs and it made job hunting way more stressful.

They also said the classes were super disorganized and a lot of the learning felt like it was self-taught. Professors were hit or miss and there wasn't a lot of real structure or support. Both said they had to put in extra work outside of school just to feel somewhat ready for NCLEX and new grad interviews.

When you combine that with taking out $130k+ in loans it really made me stop and think if the program is worth it. Both of them said if they could do it again they would have either done CCSF's ADN program and had their employer pay for a BSN or MSN later, or tried harder to get into SFSU's ABSN or MSN programs instead.

Everyone's experience is a little different but hearing it firsthand from recent grads definitely made me rethink if this is the smartest move right now. Especially when the same concerns keep popping up from different people.

Hope this helps someone who's still trying to make a decision like me.

SFSU is also super unorganized. I don't understand why there is nobody said it online.

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anyone get a scholarship? 

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