Main Quad and Hoover Tower, Stanford University
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Stanford University

#5 Worldwide🇺🇸 Stanford, CA, United States

Tuition

$58,416

Acceptance

3.9%

Students

17,680

About Stanford University

At the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford fuses world-class research with a startup-driven culture. It is a primary feeder of talent and ideas into the global technology industry.

ResearchSTEMPrivateTech

Why Students Choose Stanford University

  • Ranked #5 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 64% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (14 students) for close faculty access.
  • A strong STEM focus across its core programs.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Selectivity

Acceptance Rate3.9%
Students on Aid64%

More selective than ~95% and ranked better than ~98% of the 253 schools in our directory.

At a Glance

Quick Stats

Student Pop.

17,680

Faculty Ratio

5:1

Avg. Class Size

14

Financial Aid

64%

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Verified Aid Policy

Need-aware for internationalMeets full demonstrated need

Stanford's admission page states that if you are not a US citizen/permanent resident/undocumented/Eligible Noncitizen, your request for financial aid will be a factor in the admission evaluation (need-aware). The financial aid office states Stanford will meet the full need of all admitted students regardless of citizenship.

Source

English Test Policy

Verified

Stanford does not require any English proficiency exam. Applicants whose native language isn't English, or whose secondary schooling wasn't in English, are welcome to self-report a score, but it's optional either way.

TOEFLIELTSDuolingo English Test
Source

Similar Universities

Harvard University

🇺🇸 United States · #3

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

🇺🇸 United States · #1

California Institute of Technology

🇺🇸 United States · #10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?

Stanford University admits approximately 3.9% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Stanford University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 58,416 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Stanford University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Stanford University offers Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Need-based Grants, and about 64% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Stanford University?

The application deadline is Jan 02. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Stanford University?

Stanford University offers 5 broad fields of study: Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences.

How big are classes at Stanford University?

The average class size is 14 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, across a medium campus of about 17,680 students.

Stanford University

🇺🇸 Stanford, CA, United States · USA

#5

Global Ranking

Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on July 17, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.stanford.edu.

At a Glance

Established1885
Student Population17,680
Faculty Ratio5:1
Average Class Size14
Acceptance Rate3.9%
Annual Tuition$58,416
Financial Aid Recipients64%
Application DeadlineJan 02
Websitehttps://www.stanford.edu

About Stanford University

At the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford fuses world-class research with a startup-driven culture. It is a primary feeder of talent and ideas into the global technology industry.

Tags: Research · STEM · Private · Tech

Why Students Choose Stanford University

  • Ranked #5 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 64% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (14 students) for close faculty access.
  • A strong STEM focus across its core programs.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.

Admissions — Highly Selective

With only 3.9% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.

This school is more selective than approximately 95% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 98% of them, and is more affordable than 12% (out of 253 schools compared).

Typical requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for non-native speakers
  • 3 letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors
  • Personal statement plus 2+ supplemental essays
  • Standardized test scores (optional at many schools, but top-decile scores strengthen the file)
  • Demonstrated depth in 1-2 extracurriculars rather than breadth across many

Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.

Cost of Attendance (Estimated, per year)

Tuition$58,416
Housing & Living$20,446
Books & Supplies$2,337
Personal Expenses$4,673
Total Cost of Attendance$85,872
Est. Average Grant / Aid- $22,432
Est. Net Price$35,984
4-Year Total (before aid)$343,488

Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.

Scholarships

  • Knight-Hennessy Scholars
  • Need-based Grants

Majors & Career Outcomes

Computer Science — $95,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Security Analyst, Data Scientist

Engineering — $72,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Design Engineer, Project Manager, R&D Specialist, Systems Engineer

Business — $65,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Entrepreneur

Medicine — $80,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Physician, Surgeon, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist

Social Sciences — $54,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Policy Analyst, Economist, Counselor, HR Specialist

Campus Life

Sun-soaked 8,000-acre campus with a strong sports tradition and deep entrepreneurial energy.

Suggested Application Timeline

  • 12+ weeks before: Request transcripts and letters of recommendation; start drafting your personal statement.
  • 8 weeks before: Finalize essays, gather standardized test scores, and complete the online application form.
  • 4 weeks before: Submit early — leave buffer time for technical issues or late-arriving documents.
  • Jan 02 — deadline: Hard deadline. All materials must be received by the admissions office.
  • After submitting: Track your applicant portal and respond promptly to any requests for more information.

Similar Universities to Consider

SchoolRankTuitionAcceptance
Harvard University#3$56,5503.4%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology#1$57,5904%
California Institute of Technology#10$60,8643%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?

Stanford University admits approximately 3.9% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Stanford University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 58,416 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Stanford University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Stanford University offers Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Need-based Grants, and about 64% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Stanford University?

The application deadline is Jan 02. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Stanford University?

Stanford University offers 5 broad fields of study: Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences.

How big are classes at Stanford University?

The average class size is 14 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, across a medium campus of about 17,680 students.