Colleges › California › Stanford University

Stanford University

Stanford University is a private campus in suburban Stanford, CA. The institution reports a hospital in its federal directory record.

Compare this school Find colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income (partial)

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

not reported

family income
under $30k

not reported

$30–48k

$1,323

$48–75k

$8,816

$75–110k

$50,452

over $110k

Only three of the five income brackets were filed for the same year at Stanford University — this isn't a full distribution.

Average net price

$13,8072023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Stanford University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $17,215 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $13,807.

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$13,742
2009	$16,361
2010	$16,835
2011	$17,215
2012	$15,713
2013	$14,559
2014	$13,857
2015	$14,155
2016	$13,261
2017	$12,265
2018	$11,496
2019	$12,894
2020	$7,200
2021	$10,851
2022	$12,136
2023	$13,807

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$87,8332024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Stanford University rose from $51,760 (2009) to $87,833 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$51,760
2010	$54,009
2011	$55,918
2012	$57,755
2013	$58,408
2014	$60,311
2015	$62,363
2016	$64,477
2017	$66,696
2018	$69,109
2019	$71,587
2020	$74,570
2021	$70,869
2022	$78,898
2023	$82,162
2024	$87,833

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$24,716
2001	$25,917
2002	$27,204
2003	$28,563
2004	$29,847
2005	$31,200
2006	$32,994
2007	$35,089
2008	$36,798
2013	$43,683
2014	$45,195
2015	$46,320
2016	$47,940
2017	$49,617
2018	$51,354
2019	$53,529
2020	$56,169
2021	$56,169
2022	$58,416
2023	$62,484

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Stanford University reports published tuition of $65,910 in this record. Stanford University's $65,910 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Stanford University reports 7,554 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

91.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Stanford University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

91.9%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Stanford University has held near 91.9% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	92.4%
1992 cohort	92.5%
1993 cohort	90.4%
1994 cohort	93.1%
1995 cohort	93.3%
1996 cohort	92.5%
1997 cohort	94.1%
1998 cohort	95.3%
1999 cohort	94%
2000 cohort	95.2%
2001 cohort	95.2%
2002 cohort	94.4%
2003 cohort	94.9%
2004 cohort	94.7%
2005 cohort	96.1%
2006 cohort	95.2%
2007 cohort	95.8%
2008 cohort	94.6%
2009 cohort	93.8%
2010 cohort	93.9%
2011 cohort	94.3%
2012 cohort	94.4%
2013 cohort	94.3%
2014 cohort	95.2%
2015 cohort	95.6%
2016 cohort	95.1%
2017 cohort	92.8%
2018 cohort	91.9%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$9,563	$7,550
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$9,000	$6,140
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$8,026	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$7,436	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$5,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$6,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$6,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$6,125	$3,417
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$6,125	$3,475
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$7,123	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$7,500	$4,563
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$10,263	$4,428
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$11,000	$4,600
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$11,110	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$12,051	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$12,000	$7,307
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$11,447	$7,638
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$11,341	$7,700
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$11,750	$8,037
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$12,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$12,000	$6,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$102,887

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$109,851

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$124,080

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Stanford University admitted 2,067 of 57,326 applicants in Fall 2024. The 3.6% rate describes that application pool.

3.6%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $62,484 tuition · 2023–24 7,554 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1510–15801600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Stanford University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Stanford University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 740–780 and Math was 770–800 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1510–1580 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Verified 2026-09-04: Stanford requires SAT or ACT scores for first-year and transfer applicants. Stanford undergraduate admissions →

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	740	760	780
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	34	35	35

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Stanford University received 57,326 applications and admitted 2,067 (3.6%), with 1,693 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

3.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Stanford University's admission rate fell from 12.6% to 3.6%. The rate alone cannot explain the change. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	12.6%
Fall 2002	12.7%
Fall 2003	12.6%
Fall 2004	13%
Fall 2005	12%
Fall 2006	10.9%
Fall 2007	10.3%
Fall 2008	9.5%
Fall 2009	8%
Fall 2010	7.3%
Fall 2011	7.1%
Fall 2012	6.6%
Fall 2013	5.7%
Fall 2014	5.1%
Fall 2015	5%
Fall 2016	4.8%
Fall 2017	4.7%
Fall 2018	4.4%
Fall 2019	4.3%
Fall 2020	5.2%
Fall 2021	4%
Fall 2022	3.7%
Fall 2023	3.9%
Fall 2024	3.6%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1510–1580Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1360	1550
Fall 2002	1350	1540
Fall 2003	1340	1560
Fall 2004	1370	1550
Fall 2005	1360	1550
Fall 2006	1340	1540
Fall 2007	1340	1550
Fall 2008	1330	1540
Fall 2009	1340	1540
Fall 2010	1360	1550
Fall 2011	1360	1550
Fall 2012	1380	1570
Fall 2013	1380	1570
Fall 2014	1380	1570
Fall 2015	1390	1580
Fall 2016	1380	1580
Fall 2017	1390	1540
Fall 2018	1420	1570
Fall 2019	1440	1570
Fall 2020	1420	1570
Fall 2021	1470	1570
Fall 2022	1500	1580
Fall 2023	1510	1580
Fall 2024	1510	1580

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

34–35Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	28	33
Fall 2002	28	33
Fall 2003	28	34
Fall 2004	29	34
Fall 2005	29	33
Fall 2006	28	33
Fall 2007	29	33
Fall 2008	30	34
Fall 2009	30	34
Fall 2010	31	34
Fall 2011	30	34
Fall 2012	31	34
Fall 2013	31	34
Fall 2014	31	34
Fall 2015	31	35
Fall 2016	31	35
Fall 2017	32	35
Fall 2018	32	35
Fall 2019	32	35
Fall 2020	31	35
Fall 2021	34	35
Fall 2022	33	35
Fall 2023	34	35
Fall 2024	34	35

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

7,554Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Stanford University has held near 7,554 from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	7,360
Fall 2003	7,054
Fall 2004	6,500
Fall 2005	6,576
Fall 2006	6,391
Fall 2007	6,520
Fall 2008	6,502
Fall 2009	6,564
Fall 2010	6,887
Fall 2011	6,927
Fall 2012	6,999
Fall 2013	6,980
Fall 2014	7,018
Fall 2015	6,994
Fall 2016	7,032
Fall 2017	7,056
Fall 2018	7,083
Fall 2019	6,994
Fall 2020	6,366
Fall 2021	7,645
Fall 2022	7,761
Fall 2023	7,841
Fall 2024	7,554

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

98%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Stanford University has held near 98% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	97%
Fall 2003 cohort	98%
Fall 2004 cohort	98%
Fall 2005 cohort	98%
Fall 2006 cohort	98%
Fall 2007 cohort	98%
Fall 2008 cohort	98%
Fall 2009 cohort	98%
Fall 2010 cohort	98%
Fall 2011 cohort	98%
Fall 2012 cohort	99%
Fall 2013 cohort	98%
Fall 2014 cohort	98%
Fall 2015 cohort	98%
Fall 2016 cohort	98%
Fall 2017 cohort	99%
Fall 2018 cohort	99%
Fall 2019 cohort	86%
Fall 2020 cohort	98%
Fall 2021 cohort	98%
Fall 2022 cohort	98%
Fall 2023 cohort	98%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Stanford University

Faculty pay at Stanford University averages $302,376 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Stanford University as a primarily residential campus of 7,554 undergraduates — and 98.2% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Stanford University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1510–1580 — their midpoint is above the CA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Stanford University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Stanford University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Stanford University3.6%

California median74.4%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Stanford University$65,910

California median$23,000

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Stanford University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Stanford University$124,080

California median$64,778

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Stanford University, California and national reference values
Metric & basis	Stanford University	California median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	3.6%	74.4%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$65,910	$23,000	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$124,080	$64,778	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Stanford University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Stanford University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 10 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 10 fields listed for Stanford University measure earnings after completion. The $124,080 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 41 additional Stanford University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Stanford University report?

Stanford University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1510–1580 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?

3.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 2,067 admitted from 57,326 applicants.

How much does Stanford University cost?

At Stanford University, tuition is $65,910. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Stanford University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $124,080. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.