Stanford University
Stanford University is a private nonprofit university in Stanford, CA ranked #3 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A+, enrolling about 7,841 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 3.9%. Students most often pursue Computer Science and Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Day to day, students benefit from a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, 97.8% first-year retention, and 92.8% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $12,136, about $4,862 less than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at 111.9%, roughly 26.6 points higher than typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $102,887. That's about $59,199 higher than national results. It's well-suited to ambitious students who thrive in an elite, research-powered setting and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is Stanford University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Stanford University graduates 92.8% of students within six years and keeps 97.8% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Stanford University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $62,484 |
| Books and Supplies | $825 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $19,922 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,602 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $82,162 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 19.2% of Stanford University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Low-income families pay less than $-79 annually, while high-income families pay $50,452. Use Stanford University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $8,816/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $50,452/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $102,887
- 10-Year Median Earnings $102,887
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $9,851
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 89.9%
- Employment Rate 86.7%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Stanford University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Stanford University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Stanford University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Stanford University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: Stanford University graduates report median earnings of $102,887 six years after enrollment, +136% above the national median. The 111.9% ROI indicates solid long-term value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 740-780
- SAT Math 770-800
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 34-35
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 7,841
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 97.8%
- Graduation Rate 92.8%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 6:1
How to Get Into Stanford University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Stanford University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 3.9%, Stanford University is extremely selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 3.9% acceptance rate, Stanford University is extremely selective. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their class. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Stanford University undergraduates. Computer Science, Human Biology, and Cognitive Science draw the most students.
- Computer Science 17.3%
- Human Biology 8.0%
- Cognitive Science 6.0%
- Engineering, Other 5.9%
- Economics 5.1%
- Engineering-Related Fields 4.3%
See more majors
- Biology, General 3.6%
- Political Science and Government 3.2%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Computer Science $247,797
- 2. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $187,527
- 3. Engineering-Related Fields $168,931
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Economics $148,692
- 5. Mechanical Engineering $140,707
- 6. International Relations and National Security Studies $128,687
- 7. Engineering, Other $122,212
- 8. Cognitive Science $105,695
- 9. Science, Technology and Society $92,295
- 10. Human Biology $79,098
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Computer Science (Master's Degree) $331,747
- 2. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degree) $314,606
- 3. Law (First Professional Degree) $289,230
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $283,761
- 5. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degree) $230,373
- 6. Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degree) $227,320
- 7. Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degree) $170,213
- 8. Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degree) $161,655
- 9. Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degree) $147,202
- 10. Medicine (First Professional Degree) $146,203
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Computer Science grads earn $247,797—213% more than Human Biology ($79,098). Graduate: Computer Science programs lead with $331,747 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Stanford University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degree, 460 graduates)
- Computer Science (Bachelor's Degree, 307 graduates)
- Law (First Professional Degree, 182 graduates)
- Human Biology (Bachelor's Degree, 142 graduates)
- Cognitive Science (Bachelor's Degree, 106 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (48 programs)▼
- Computer Science
- Human Biology
- Cognitive Science
- Engineering, Other
- Economics
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Biology, General
- Political Science and Government
- Mechanical Engineering
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Mathematics
- English Language and Literature, General
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Science, Technology and Society
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- Applied Mathematics
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- History
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Area Studies
- Public Policy Analysis
- Philosophy
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Communication and Media Studies
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Chemical Engineering
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Music
- Materials Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Civil Engineering
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Archeology
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Psychology, General
Online Master's Degrees (58 programs)▼
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- Education, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Area Studies
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Communication and Media Studies
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Public Health
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Public Policy Analysis
- Physics
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- Engineering, Other
- Biology, General
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Sociology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Music
- Sustainability Studies
- Genetics
- Political Science and Government
- Economics
- Cognitive Science
- Anthropology
- Fine and Studio Arts
- History
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Petroleum Engineering
- Chemistry
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Religion/Religious Studies
- English Language and Literature, General
- Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Psychology, General
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Design and Applied Arts
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Online Doctoral Degrees (55 programs)▼
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Education, General
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Political Science and Government
- Materials Engineering
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Biology, General
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Genetics
- Economics
- Statistics
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- History
- English Language and Literature, General
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Engineering, Other
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Anthropology
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Sociology
- Music
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Petroleum Engineering
- Communication and Media Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Public Health
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Fine and Studio Arts
- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Area Studies
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Medical Illustration and Informatics
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Psychology, General
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (7 programs)▼
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Engineering, Other
- Civil Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Online First Professional Degrees (2 programs)▼
- Law
- Medicine
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 7,841
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 48.3%
- Female Students 51.7%
- Caucasian 24.2%
- Asian 27.5%
- Hispanic 17.7%
- Black 7.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients 19.2%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Stanford University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Stanford University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Stanford University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Stanford University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Stanford University has a diverse student body, with 24.2% identifying as White. About 19.2% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Stanford University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Stanford University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Stanford University stands among the nation's most elite, delivering a strong 111.9% ROI outperforming 6253 of 6275 institutions in our analysis.
The institution achieves 58.1% four-year and 92.8% six-year completion ratesand maintains 97.8% first-year retention. However, the $12,136 annual net price reflects moderate affordability. Post-graduation median earnings of $102,887 reflect strong career outcomes typical of selective institutions.
Value Analysis: Is Stanford University Worth It?
Ranking #3 of 6275, Stanford University delivers a A+ overall grade with a 99.6/100 EDsmart score.
For High-Achieving Students: Applicants pursuing careers where institutional prestige and professional networks drive opportunities—such as finance, consulting, law, and academia—benefit most from Stanford University's brand value and alumni connections. The school's reputation provides career acceleration that may justify the premium cost for specific fields.
Financial Aid Recipients: Students receiving substantial need-based aid (bringing actual costs below $6,068 annually) access elite education at a competitive price point. Pell-eligible students often pay less here than at many public universities.
Alternative Considerations: Students in fields where skills and credentials matter more than brand name—particularly STEM, healthcare, and technical fields—should compare outcomes against public research universities offering similar education at 40-60% lower cost. Our data shows 22 institutions deliver superior ROI metrics.
Bottom Line: Stanford University excels in reputation and student experience, reflected in its 97.8% retention rate. However, value-conscious students should weigh the $12,136 annual investment against 22 alternatives offering stronger financial returns. The "best" choice depends on your field, financial situation, and career goals—not rankings alone.
Key Takeaways
- 92.8% six-year graduation rate sits 30.3 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 97.8% first-year retention is 21.0 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- 111.9% return on investment is 26.6 points above the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $102,887 run about 136% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $12,136 is roughly $7,997 lower than the national median of $20,133.
Helpfulness for Students
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 97.8% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 86.7% employment rate within three years sits 18.5 points above national outcomes.
- Pell participation at 19.2% trails the national share by 19.6 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Stanford University is a private nonprofit university based in Stanford, CA and earns a A+ overall grade. It is currently ranked #3 nationally Grades by category break down as Completion A, Support A+, Career Outcomes B, and Affordability C-.
Student momentum is strong: 97.8% retention and 92.8% six-year graduation. Return on investment currently measures 111.9% for this program.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $12,136 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $82,162.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $70,026 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $9,851 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 19.2% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $102,887 six years after enrollment. This is roughly 136% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
Roughly 86.7% of graduates are employed three years out.
The ROI comes in near 111.9%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
3.9% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Stanford University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Stanford, CA 94305
- Website www.stanford.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
- Endowment$36.34B
- Transfer Enrollment Rate0.6%