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Stanford University

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Suburb · 7,554 students
Nov 1 · Restrictive Early Action · in 30 days
Checked Oct 2026 · admission.stanford.edu
$13,807
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
$0
$0
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
92%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$124,080
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
4%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford University is globally renowned for its powerhouse programs in computer science, engineering, economics, and human biology, seamlessly blending rigorous academics with groundbreaking innovation. Its expansive 8,180-acre campus—affectionately known as "The Farm"—fosters a collaborative and entrepreneurial student culture where high-achieving ambition is balanced by a sunny, laid-back California lifestyle and vibrant campus traditions. Operating on a fast-paced quarter system, Stanford uniquely encourages undergraduate exploration through world-class research access, cross-disciplinary study, and creative problem-solving hubs like the renowned d.school.


Wikipedia:Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad baron Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their only child, Leland Jr.

Location
Stanford, CA, 94305 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SJC · San Jose
14 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$65,910
Housing & food (on campus)$21,315
Books & supplies$825
Cost of attendance$87,833
Average net price$13,807
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$65,910
Housing & food (on campus)$21,315
Books & supplies$825
Cost of attendance$87,833
Average net price$13,807
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$-2,536
$30–48k
$-193
$48–75k
$3,212
$75–110k
$11,092
$110k+
$53,882
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$4,150
First-years who got one2
Source: Stanford University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
92%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
51%
Back for yr 2
98%
Transferred
1%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
97% graduated · 1% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$102,887
10 yrs after entry$124,080
Debt
Median at graduation$12,000
Monthly payment$127
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$21.5k
90th percentile$28,846
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
4%
Test policy
Required
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1553
R 740–780 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
35
Comp 34–35 · E 35–36 · M 33–36
SAT middle 50%: 1510–1580
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Restrictive Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early. Check the school’s rules.
Regular Decision
Jan 5 2027
in 95 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Oct 2026 · admission.stanford.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
From Stanford University (admission.stanford.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
    3–50 words
  • How did you spend your last two summers?
    3–50 words
  • What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
    3–50 words
  • Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
    3–50 words
  • List five things that are important to you.
    3–50 words
  • The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
    100–250 words
  • Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.
    100–250 words
  • Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
    100–250 words

Quoted from Stanford University's own page; answered in the Common Application. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
6 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$44,842
Independent
6%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
23%
Hispanic
17%
Black
7%
Asian
29%
Two or more
10%
Non-resident
13%
AI/AN
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Sailing
    Women's · Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Synchronized Swimming
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$102,887
After 10 yrs
$124,080
Computer Science293
Human Biology140
Economics112
Engineering, Other89
Cognitive Science83
Political Science and Government72
Mathematics65
International Relations and National Security Studies61
Research and Experimental Psychology57
Mechanical Engineering56
Biology, General56
Engineering-Related Fields52
English Language and Literature, General52
Biomedical/Medical Engineering41
Physics33
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences32
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$37.6B
Full-time faculty
99%
Faculty salary
$25,198/mo
Teaching spend
$154,517
per student
Federal loans
6%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.6B research spending · 792 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Stanford University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search