Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

Stanford University admitted 3.6% of applicants university-wide (2,067 of 57,326).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide3.6%2,06757,326
In-state5.0%50010,000
Out-of-state4.0%1,20030,000
International applicants2.0%30015,000
Men3.4%1,01529,602
Women3.8%1,05227,724

Also offers Restrictive Early Action (closes Nov 1) — the Common Data Set doesn't publish EA admit counts.

Of 2,067 admitted students, 1,693 enrolled (81.9% yield).

Stanford University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

SAT (mid-50%)
1510–1570
ACT (mid-50%)
34–35
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.754.00

Testing policy: Required

Stanford University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $91,050/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$65,910
Fees, housing, food, books & other$25,140
Sticker cost of attendance$91,050/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

$48k–75k$3,212
$75k–110k$11,092
Over $110k$53,882

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Stanford ScholarshipVaries (up to full demonstrated need) (Need Based)

International applicants

Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.

  • Stanford ScholarshipVaries (up to full demonstrated need) (Need Based)

Stanford University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application
  • ACT or SAT test scores (self-reported)
  • School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation
  • Official transcript(s) or academic results
  • Midyear transcript
  • Letters of recommendation from two teachers
  • AP exam scores (if taken)
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application
  • ACT or SAT test scores (self-reported)
  • School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation
  • Official transcript(s) or academic results
  • Midyear transcript
  • Letters of recommendation from two teachers
  • AP exam scores (if taken)
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

Stanford University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 3 college-specific supplements:

  1. 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.250 words · Required
  2. 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.250 words · Required
  3. Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.250 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$124,080
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
91.9%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
98.2%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$12,000
At graduation

Stanford University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #4
  • WSJ: #1
  • Forbes: #4
  • Niche: #3
  • QS: #3

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early ActionNon-binding early round
  • 2027-01-05Regular DecisionStandard deadline

Stanford University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Computer & information sciences (18%), Social sciences (17%), Engineering (16%).

Student–faculty ratio: 5:1 · 61% of class sections have under 20 students.

Stanford University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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