Stanford University
About Stanford University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Stanford is a private research university in Stanford, California, near Silicon Valley. It is one of the most selective universities in the country and is known for its entrepreneurial culture, strong engineering and computer science programs, and close ties to the tech industry. Stanford operates on a quarter system and has one of the largest campuses in the United States.
Founded
1885
Location
Stanford, California
Students
18,275
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
3.6%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
91.9%
Above national average
Tuition
$65,910
Per year
Avg Net Price
$13,807
After financial aid
SAT Average
1553
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$124,080
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 3.6 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$90
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 5
With a 3.6% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1553, Stanford University is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1553/ 1600
ACT Scores
35/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
91.9% complete their degree within six years
Retention
98.2%
4-Year Grad
77%
6-Year Grad
96%
Teaching Quality
5:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
99.2%
$/Student
$154.5K
Class Size
Small
77% of students graduate on time, and 99.2% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$65,910
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$21,315
Books & Supplies
$825
Total Cost of Attendance
$87,833
After Financial Aid
$13,807
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-2,536
Receive Grants
19.2%
Take Loans
6.2%
Don't let the $65,910 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $13,807 after financial aid, a 79% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-2,536.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Stanford University fund their education.
While in School
19.2%
Get Grants
Free money
6.2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$44,842
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$12,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$127/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $12,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Stanford University.
Gender
51.6%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
7,554
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
10,721
Graduates
30.3%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
1.7%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (52% women, 48% men). 30.3% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 12.8% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Stanford's 8,180-acre campus is the second-largest in the US, featuring sandstone buildings with red-tile roofs, palm-lined paths, and the iconic Hoover Tower. The sunny California weather means outdoor life year-round, with biking as the primary mode of transportation.
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
7,554
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Gorgeous weather almost year-round
- +Massive campus with open spaces and palm trees
- +Biking culture makes getting around easy and fun
- +Silicon Valley location means endless internship access
Cons
- -Campus is so large it can feel spread out
- -Palo Alto cost of living is extremely high
- -Suburban setting lacks urban nightlife
- -The Stanford bubble can feel disconnecting from reality
Stanford feels like its own little city — 8,000 acres of sunshine, bikes, and ambition. The proximity to Silicon Valley means half the conversations in the dining hall involve someone's startup, for better or worse.
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Stanford University fields 24 varsity teams with 926 student athletes, about 12% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FBS
Conference
Pacific-12
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
24
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
926
12% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
48% / 52%
446
Men
480
Women
16
Men's Teams
21
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Stanford Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$124,080
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$139K
293 grads
1yr Earnings
Human Biology
$50K
140 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$98K
112 grads
1yr Earnings
Engineering, Other
$50K
89 grads
1yr Earnings
Cognitive Science
$106K
83 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$59K
72 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $103K six years out, climb to $121K by year eight, and reach $124K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stanford University
What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?▾
How much does Stanford University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?▾
How much do Stanford University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.