Stanford University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Stanford University (Stanford) is a highly selective private research university in Stanford, California, serving roughly 7,554 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 3.61% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $124,080 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $65,910
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,807 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 3.61% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,554 100.0% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 91.92%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 30.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 7.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 11.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 99.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1553
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,444
- Applicants (IPEDS): 53,733
- Room & Board: $21,315 annual estimate
Stanford University: what the data shows
Common questions about Stanford University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Stanford University?
Stanford University is located in Stanford, CA (ZIP 94305).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Stanford University public or private?
Stanford University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Stanford University cost?
Published tuition: $65,910.
Average net price after aid: $13,807.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $-2,536 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $-193 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $3,212 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,092 |
| $110,001+ | $53,882 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $263,640.
How hard is it to get into Stanford University?
Admission rate: 3.61%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1553 and midpoint ACT 35.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Stanford University?
Total enrollment: 7,554 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,444 students.
Graduate enrollment: 10,721 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?
150%-time completion rate: 91.92%.
First-year retention: 98.2%.
What do graduates of Stanford University earn?
Median earnings: $102,887 six years after entry; $124,080 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $12,000.
19.16% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Stanford University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer Science (828 completions)
- Management Science (534 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (261 completions)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (230 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (215 completions)
- Engineering/Industrial Management (206 completions)
- Law (199 completions)
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (156 completions)
- Engineering, Other (146 completions)
- Education, General (137 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Stanford University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 3.61%; completion rate 91.92%; median earnings $124,080 at 10 years; net price $13,807. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$65,910
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Stanford University was $65,910.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,807
2024 Value
In 2024 Stanford University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,807.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$55,228 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,807 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$263,640 4-Year Tuition
$21,315 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$825 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$88,050 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$352,200 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Stanford University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.16% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
6.20% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Stanford University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Stanford University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $43,683 | $43,683 | $15,713 |
| 2014 | $45,195 | $45,195 | $14,559 |
| 2015 | $46,320 | $46,320 | $13,857 |
| 2016 | $47,940 | $47,940 | $14,155 |
| 2017 | $49,617 | $49,617 | $13,261 |
| 2018 | $51,354 | $51,354 | $12,265 |
| 2019 | $53,529 | $53,529 | $11,496 |
| 2020 | $56,169 | $56,169 | $12,894 |
| 2021 | $56,169 | $56,169 | $7,200 |
| 2022 | $58,416 | $58,416 | $10,851 |
| 2023 | $62,484 | $62,484 | $12,136 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
3.61% Acceptance Rate
53,733 Total Applicants
2,099 Students Admitted
1,699 First-Time Students Enrolled
80.94% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1553
ACT Average: 35
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Stanford University reported total enrollment of about 7,554 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Asian (28.7%), White (23.0%), and Hispanic or Latino (17.1%). About 19.16% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
100.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Stanford University in 2024 is 7,554 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,444 students. Graduate enrollment is about 10,721 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
98.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Asian at 28.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
50.83% 100% Completion Time
91.92% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 50.83% of students graduating from Stanford University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer Science: 67% male / 33% female
- Management Science: 60% male / 40% female
- Mechanical Engineering: 64% male / 36% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Stanford University.
Return on Investment
$12,000 Median Student Debt
$124,080 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
9.67% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
2146.69% Return on Investment
1.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Stanford University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 101 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer Science: 828 completions
2. Management Science: 534 completions
3. Mechanical Engineering: 261 completions
4. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 230 completions
5. Civil Engineering, General: 215 completions
6. Engineering/Industrial Management: 206 completions
7. Law: 199 completions
8. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics: 156 completions
9. Engineering, Other: 146 completions
Most popular programs at Stanford University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Stanford University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Stanford University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 99.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $25,198
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $154,517
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Stanford University is a private non-profit institution located in Stanford, CA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer Science, Management Science, Mechanical Engineering. Enrollment is approximately 7,554 students. Student body composition includes Asian (28.7%), White (23.0%), Hispanic or Latino (17.1%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 3.61%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1553. The 150%-time completion rate is 91.92%. Approximately 19.16% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Stanford, CA 94305
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 91.92% graduation rate, Stanford University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Stanford University graduates report median earnings of $124,080 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 101 distinct degree programs, Stanford University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stanford located?
Stanford University is located in Stanford, CA. The institution is also known as Stanford.
What is Stanford's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Stanford University (Stanford) is 3.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 53,733 applicants and 2,099 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Stanford cost?
Reported tuition is $65,910 and average net price is $13,807 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $21,315 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Stanford?
Stanford University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,444 students, Asian (28.7%), White (23.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Stanford?
About 30.3% of students at Stanford University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Stanford University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Stanford University reports midpoint SAT about 1553 and midpoint ACT about 35.
What do graduates of Stanford University earn?
Median earnings are $102,887 six years after entry and $124,080 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 91.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Stanford University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $12,000.
Is Stanford University public or private?
Stanford University is a private nonprofit institution located in Stanford, CA.
Is Stanford University an HBCU?
No. Stanford University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Stanford University a tribal college?
No. Stanford University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.