Golden Gate University

San Francisco, California

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Imparting practical skill-based education to national and international students since 1901, the Golden Gate University (GGU) is a top-tier institution in California, US. For 100+ years now, the institute has been helping students build successful careers in several fields, such as accounting, law, finance, taxation, business, and technology.

Mission: GGU prepares individuals to lead and serve by providing high-quality, practice-based educational programs as a nonprofit institution in an innovative and challenging learning environment that embraces professional ethics and diversity.

Depending on the market requirements, Golden Gate University offers tailored curriculums designed by industry experts. By giving all its students a transformational classroom experience and emphasizing hands-on learning, the university prepares successful professionals.

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Key Highlights of Golden Gate University

Below are some of the highlights of Golden Gate University:

Founded by

YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)

University Type

Nonprofit, independent university

University Motto

The welfare of the state depends upon the morals of its citizens

University City

San Francisco, CA

Acceptance Rate

83%

Faculty to Student Ratio

1:5

Endowment

$50.6M

Graduation Rate

41.2%

Employment Rate

72.3%

Official Website Link

https://ggu.edu/

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Rankings & Recognition of Golden Gate University

According to the Forbes list of top 500 colleges in America, Golden Gate University was ranked 429 among all, 234 among private colleges, and 97 in the West.

GGU School of Law has been consistently ranked as one of the best public interest law schools in the country. With personalized, high-quality learning experiences for students, it trains them with the skillsets required to become exceptional lawyers and socially conscious members of society. According to the US News & World Report, here are the rankings of some of the law courses offered by GGU:

  • list items #195 in Business/Corporate Law
  • list items #95 in Clinical Training
  • list items #196 in Constitutional Law
  • list items #187 in Contracts/Commercial Law
  • list items #163 in Health Care Law
  • list items #111 in Intellectual Property Law
  • GGU is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the organisation that accredits universities in California.

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    Golden Gate University Campus

    The Golden Gate University campus is located in the heart of the Bay Area, close to the centre of Downtown San Francisco. One of the best cities in the world for employer activity, San Francisco has been ranked 4th by QS as of 2024. Students pursuing their education at GGU will find ample career opportunities via Silicon Valley startups, tech giants, financial firms, and Fortune 500 companies.

    Beyond classroom learning, the institute organises Golden Gate University Campus Week events throughout the year, where students, alumni, and faculty can interact with each other. The events include picnics in the park, health and wellness events, coffee socials, career panels, and more.

    GGU also offers students the opportunity to have well-rounded experiences via the Student Academic & Cultural Clubs. Students can be a part of conferences, workshops, networking, and socialising outside of the classroom.

    Address: 536 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94105

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    Programs Offered by Golden Gate University

    The Golden Gate University offers several programs through its 5 schools across various disciplines: 

  • list items Ageno School of Business
  • list items Braden School of Taxation
  • list items School of Accounting
  • list items School of Law
  • list items School of Undergraduate Studies
  • Here are a few popular programs at GGU:

    Program Tuition Fee (per unit)*  Number of Units

    Business Analytics, MS

    $1090

    36

    Project Management, MS

    $1090

    33-36

    Finance, MS

    $1090

    30

    Law, BA

    $462

    120

    Psychology, BA

    $462

    120

    Applied Machine Learning, BS

    $1090

    36

    *Per unit in tuition fees refers to the cost for each credit hour or course unit a student enrolls in at a university.

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    Admissions Details of Golden Gate University 

    GGU does not have an application deadline for International students, and admissions take place on a “rolling” basis. However, students should ideally apply early to have sufficient time for an admission decision, issuing the Form I-20 and visa appointment as required.

    Semester Final International Application Deadline Start Date

    Fall 2024

    July 07

    September 08

    Mark Your Calendar: USA University Application Deadline 2024 - Apply Now!
     

    Admission Requirements for International Students

    Students looking to pursue undergraduate programs at Golden Gate University should have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better with 12 or more semester units of prior transferable credit from a community college, college, or university.

    International students looking to earn a master’s degree program from Golden Gate University must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or the equivalent from a recognized institution outside the country.

    Here are some additional requirements:

  • list items Submit official transcripts and certified English translations from each school previously attended. Students can submit examination scores and mark sheets if their institutions do not maintain transcripts.
  • list items English Language Proficiency test scores
  • list items A copy of your passport
  • list items A Certification of Finances form
  • Admission Process for International Students

    Students can follow these steps to apply to their choice of undergraduate or graduate courses at GGU:

    Step 1: Create an admission accounts

    Students applying for a program in the School of Law (other than the MLS or MBA/JD program) can directly skip to step 2.

    Step 2: Choose among these application portals:

  • list items Undergraduate Degrees
  • list items Graduate Degrees
  • list items Law School Programs
  • Step 3: Keep all the necessary documents as required for the program you wish to pursue and start your application.

    Step 4: Review all the details and submit your application. Some programs may require you to pay an application fee.

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    Exams Accepted by Golden Gate University 

    Students whose degree is not from a regionally accredited US college or university or an equivalent from a recognized college/university in another English-speaking country need to submit their English Language Proficiency test scores:

    Test Graduate Minimum Score Undergraduate Minimum Score

    TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT)

    79

    60

    IELTS

    6.5

    6.0

    Pearson Test of English (PTE)

    57

    48

    Duolingo

    110

    90

    International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP Academic)

    3.8

    3.5

    Graduate aspirants who meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements should also be proficient in writing to complete their course of study successfully. GRE or GMAT test scores are not required for any of our graduate programs. Depending on your master’s program, you may be required to submit additional application materials to be considered for admission.

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    Tuition Fees and Other Expenses at Golden Gate University

    For students looking to pursue their dream career abroad, cost can be an important factor in determining if a particular university will be the right choice for them. Here is an estimated breakdown of Golden Gate University fees (tuition and other expenses) for some of the program types and schools.

    Program Type/School Tuition per unit*

    Undergraduate

    $462

    Graduate

    $1090

    Braden School of Taxation Tuition

    $1250

    *Students should note that the tuition rates can vary depending on the units/credits their targeted course has.

    Along with tuition, you can expect to pay the following fees:

    Type Fee

    One-time application fee

    $40

    Technology fee

    $85 

    Depending on the course you choose, other one-time or recurring fees may apply. Apart from these costs, students living off-campus will have to bear additional expenses. A single person's estimated monthly costs in San Francisco are nearly $1,544.6 without rent. Here are a few estimates of some utilities:

    Item Cost 

    Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

    $18 - $40

    Milk (regular) (1 liter)

    $1.06 - $2.25

    Water (0.33 liter bottle)

    $2 - $3.50

    Monthly Transport Pass (Regular Price)

    $81 - $127

    Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment

    $150 - $425

    Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data

    $30- $90

    Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

    $2800 - $4000

    See what expenses are covered under education loan?

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    Financial Aid & Scholarships by Golden Gate University

    Being a nonprofit university, Golden Gate University strives to provide high-quality education to everyone. More than 50% of students at this university receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, and federal aid.

    Scholarships

    GGU offers scholarships and grants to international students if they meet the required criteria.

    Scholarship/Grant Benefit for Undergraduates Benefits for Graduates Eligibility

    International President’s Scholarship 

    $1,000 for full-time enrollment per trimester

    $15,000 to be divided evenly over the required units to complete their degree

    • Excellent academic record above 80%.
    • Must be an international student.
    • Accepted for full-time study.
    • Proficient in English IELTS>6.5, TOEFL>88.
    • Demonstrated leadership or community involvement.

    International Dean’s Scholars

    $750 for full-time enrollment per trimester

    12,000 to be divided evenly over the required units to complete their degree

    • Final year at City, University of London, Health Sciences & Psychological Sciences.
    • Minimum 70% GPA.
    • Self-funded, only alumni discount allowed.

    International Welcome Grant

    $1,500 for full-time enrollment during the first term

    $2,000 for full-time enrollment during the first term

    • New international student
    • Enrolled full-time
    • Holds an offer of admission

    There is no separate application, and the students who have not previously attended GGU and meet the admissions criteria are automatically considered for these scholarships and grants through the admission process.

    Education Loans

    Students can also avail themselves of various types of loans, including secured education loans, unsecured education loans, and loans without a co-applicant or collateral. GyanDhan offers free personalized loan assistance to help you realize your educational dreams. Our team of experts will help you secure the most competitive interest rates and the highest possible loan amount.

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    Jobs & Placement Opportunities by Golden Gate University

    International students should understand their personal visa and H1B process to meet the expected requirements of their potential employers. The Career Center at Golden Gate University and the vast alumni network help international students prepare for these discussions and seek out potential organisations for job opportunities. Here are a few placement estimates at Golden Gate University: 

    Activity/Degree Estimated Salary

    Consulting, Accounting & Professional Services

    $147,000 

    LLM

    $179,000 

    Masters in Science

    $115,000 

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    Accommodation by Golden Gate University

    The university maintains a list of residential off-campus housing options close to the campus with convenient public transportation and local amenities. Some of these include:

  • list items Academy of Art (AAU) San Francisco Housing
    • Average housing cost: $13,000/semester (varies by residence hall)
    • Deposit: $500
    • Housing License Agreement: $75
    • Meal plans: $3,701/semester for Fall and Spring; $1,746 for Summer.
  • list items The Academe at 198
    • Housing rate starting at $1880
    • No security deposit
  • list items Minerva University
    • Housing rate starting at $850 per month
    • Deposit: $500
  • list items Park Merced
    • Housing price ranges between $2,290 - $9,000
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    Notable Alumni of Golden Gate University

    With a vast alumni network of 68K+ across the world, Golden Gate University has the following notable alumni:

    Name Profession/Designation Achievements

    Denise Mobolaji Ajayi-Williams 

    Novelist and children's comic writer

    Featured in several publications and media sites, including Forbes, CNBC, GritDaly, Huffington Post

    Kyra Davis

    Novelist

    Author of Just One Night series and Sophie Katz series


     

    Sam Aanestad

    Physician, surgeon, and politician.

    California State Senator (2002–10)

    Ralph Atkin 

    Businessman

    Founder of SkyWest Airlines and member of the Utah State Bar

    Diane Murphy

    Former child actress

    Known for sharing the role of Tabitha in Bewitched

    Golden Gate University is among one of the top educational destinations in San Francisco, empowering students to build the careers of their dreams. Whether you are looking to complete your degree, take a new career path, or find opportunities to excel, you can consider GGU for your education abroad. 

    If you need help with picking the right institute, financing a loan, preparing for exams, or other essential things in your educational journey, talk to Gyandhan experts today. We streamline the entire process of studying abroad in a simple, smooth, and quick way to help you build a bright career. 

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is Golden Gate University?

    Golden Gate University is located in San Francisco, California, United States.

    What exams are accepted at Golden Gate University?

    International students need to submit their English language proficiency exam scores to pursue programmes at Golden Gate University. The acceptable exams include:

    • TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT)
    • IELTS
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    • Duolingo
    • International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP Academic)
    Is Golden Gate University prestigious?

    The Forbes list of top 500 colleges in America lists Golden Gate University as 429th among all colleges, 234 among private colleges, and 97 in the West.

    Is Golden Gate University good for international students?

    Golden Gate University strives to provide a welcoming environment to international students with flexible and affordable programmes at affordable rates. 

    What Golden Gate University courses are available for international students?

    The Golden Gate University offers students several programmes across various disciplines such as accounting, business, STEM, law, psychology, taxation, etc. 

    Are Golden Gate University scholarships, grants, or loans available for overseas students?

    The Golden Gate University offers financial aid to international graduate and undergraduate students via scholarships and grants. Some of these include:

    • Federal Aid
    • Direct subsidised loans
    • International President’s Scholarship
    • International Dean’s Scholars
    • International Welcome Grant