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Stanford University
Stanford University admits 4 of every 100 applicants — a reach school for nearly everyone applying to Stanford University, whatever the rest of the profile says.
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Stanford University occupies suburban Stanford, CA — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The university runs its own medical system, which colors both its budget and its biggest programs.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $214,907 four years out. Faculty pay averages $302,376 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 7,554 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 98.2% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1510 and 1580 — above the CA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Stanford University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Stanford University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1510–1580 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Stanford University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 780 |
| SAT Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
| ACT Composite | 34 | 35 | 35 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Stanford University received 53,733 applications and admitted 2,099 (3.9%), with 1,699 enrolling.
How Stanford University compares
| Stanford University | California median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.6% | 75.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $65,910 | $23,000 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $124,080 | $64,778 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Stanford University student earns $124,080 — 92% above the California median of $64,778 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Stanford University lists tuition at $65,910 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Stanford University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $65,910 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Stanford University enrolls 7,554 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Stanford University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
91.9% of Stanford University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 37.1 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $65,910 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Stanford University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $214,907 |
| Cognitive Science | $131,650 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $117,072 |
| Engineering, Other | $115,206 |
| Economics | $112,700 |
| Science, Technology and Society | $107,375 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $91,075 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $82,036 |
| Human Biology | $81,529 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $45,519 |
Median earnings for these 10 Stanford University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $124,080 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 41 additional Stanford University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Stanford University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1510–1580 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 3.6% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?
3.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,099 admitted from 53,733 applicants.
How much does Stanford University cost?
At Stanford University, published tuition is $65,910 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Stanford University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Stanford University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $124,080 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in California
- University of Southern California — 9.8% admitted
- Pomona College — 7.1% admitted
- Harvey Mudd College — 12.7% admitted
- Claremont McKenna College — 9.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.