Stanford University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $141,300 within 10 years; exceptional 92% graduation rate.
About This School
Stanford University is a private nonprofit institution located in Stanford, California with approximately 7,554 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 4%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,807 per year. The graduation rate is 92%, and the typical graduate earns $141,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
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 magnate Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their only child, Leland Jr.
This is one of the most selective schools in the country at a 4% acceptance rate, so it's worth being realistic about your odds before building your list around it. If you do get in, the financial picture is surprisingly strong — average net price drops to just $12,136/year, median debt at graduation is under $10K, and median earnings hit $141,300 a decade out, one of the best return-on-investment profiles you'll find anywhere. The 98% freshman retention and 93% graduation rate confirm that students who enroll are largely thriving, not just surviving.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 31% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Stanford University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Science ($214,907 vs $107,009 nationally), and most below it in Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies ($45,519 vs $51,710).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 293 | $214,907 | $107,009 | +$107,898 |
| Human Biology | 140 | $81,529 | $64,732 | +$16,797 |
| Economics | 112 | $112,700 | $82,686 | +$30,014 |
| Engineering, Other | 89 | $115,206 | $93,989 | +$21,217 |
| Cognitive Science | 83 | $131,650 | $81,496 | +$50,154 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 61 | $91,075 | $66,596 | +$24,479 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 56 | $117,072 | $92,135 | +$24,937 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 52 | $82,036 | $48,590 | +$33,446 |
| Science, Technology and Society | 27 | $107,375 | $67,452 | +$39,923 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 24 | $45,519 | $51,710 | −$6,191 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,554 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Stanford University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?
Stanford University has an acceptance rate of 4%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Stanford University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 4%, Stanford University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Stanford University cost?
The average net price at Stanford University is about $13,807 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Stanford University?
Stanford University has a graduation rate of 92%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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