#2 in the world · QS 2027

Stanford University

A research university on an 8,000-acre campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, run on the quarter system.

Stanford, California, United States Private research university Founded 1885 Official website

See my chances at Stanford Admissions office

Photo: Clementp1986 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Acceptance rate: 3.8%; Fall 2025 entering class (Class of 2029)
Students: 17,314; 7,289 undergraduates
International: 26%; of students
Student–faculty: 10:1; ratio
Tuition: $67,731; International undergraduates · 2026-27

About Stanford

Stanford was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their son and opened in 1891. Its campus covers more than 8,000 acres between San Francisco and San Jose, and the university sits at the centre of Silicon Valley, a relationship that shapes everything from course projects to summer internships. About 7,300 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate students study across seven schools: Business, the Doerr School of Sustainability, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, and Medicine.

Undergraduates enter undeclared and can choose from 66 majors; computer science, human biology and economics are among the most popular. The year runs on quarters, so you take more, shorter courses and can sample widely. All first-years take the COLLEGE requirement, a set of courses on civic, liberal and global education. Roughly half of each class studies away through the Bing Overseas Studies Program, which runs programs in 11 locations including Oxford, Paris and Hong Kong, and the university spends about $7.5 million a year funding undergraduate research.

Stanford rewards people who combine very strong academics with genuine depth in something they care about. It is a good fit if you like building things, crossing disciplines and turning ideas into projects, and if you want a sunny, spread-out campus with Division I sports alongside serious research.

Die Luft der Freiheit weht

“The wind of freedom blows” — university motto

Why students choose Stanford

Around 50 percent of each class studies away through the Bing Overseas Studies Program at sites such as Oxford, Paris and Hong Kong.

The university funds about 1,200 undergraduate researchers a year, and roughly a third of students use this funding before graduating.

The quarter system and 66 majors make it easy to explore, and engineering students can design their own major.

Stanford is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they attend school, and parents earning under $100,000 are not expected to contribute.

Admissions

Fall 2025 entering class (Class of 2029)

About 1 in 26 applicants is admitted

2,302 admitted from 60,646 applicants

SAT 1520–1570

1000120014001600

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

ACT 34–36

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

Stanford is need-aware for international applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who request financial aid, which makes admission for that group more selective.

Testing Required: SAT or ACT (required again after being optional for the Class of 2029). Scores are self-reported; no minimums or preferred test.

Grades Stanford says successful applicants typically have flawless or nearly flawless grades in rigorous courses; there is no minimum GPA or required number of AP courses.

Deadlines

Restrictive Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 days

November 1, 2026

Non-binding but restrictive: no early applications to other private universities or binding early plans at public universities. Decisions by mid-December. Applicants submitting an arts portfolio must file the Common App by October 15 (portfolio materials by October 20).
Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 months

January 5, 2027

Decisions by early April. Applicants submitting an arts portfolio must file the Common App by December 5 (portfolio materials by December 10). Midyear transcript due February 15.

Stanford's first-year requirements page (updated September 10, 2026) lists November 1 (REA) and January 5 (RD) without a year; these apply to the current cycle for entry in fall 2027. Student reply date is May 1.

How to apply

Common Application plus the Stanford supplement: five short questions (up to 50 words each) and three short essays of 100-250 words, one of them a letter to your future roommate; school report, counselor and two teacher recommendations; SAT or ACT; optional alumni interview where available; optional arts portfolio.

What admissions looks for

Academic excellence: the transcript is the primary credential, with emphasis on grades 10, 11 and the final year.
Intellectual vitality: curiosity, openness and imagination, and evidence you have stretched your own perspective.
Depth over breadth in extracurricular activities; exceptional commitment to one or two activities can say more than many clubs.
Personal context, including work and family responsibilities, and the impact you have had at home, school and in your community.

Tips for applying to Stanford

1 Treat the roommate letter as a chance to show everyday personality, not accomplishments; it is one of only three short essays.
2 Check the testing deadlines: for REA, the ACT must be taken by the end of September and the SAT by the end of October.
3 If you plan an arts portfolio with REA, your Common App is due October 15, two weeks before the standard deadline.
4 Interviews are with alumni and limited by volunteer availability; many admitted students never interview, so do not worry if you are not invited.
5 REA is restrictive: do not file early applications to other private universities or binding early plans elsewhere unless an exception applies.

What are your chances?

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

All undergraduates Tuition $67,731

+ housing and food $22,944 ≈ $90,675 per year

Tuition Housing and food

Official cost of attendance $97,545

Financial aid

Stanford is need-blind for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented students and eligible noncitizens, and meets demonstrated need for all admitted students; admission is need-aware for other international applicants who request aid. Parents earning under $100,000 are not expected to contribute, and under $150,000 tuition is covered by grants and scholarships.

No parent contribution expected
Parent income under $100,000: Tuition covered by grants and scholarships
Parent income under $150,000: 69%
Undergraduates receiving financial aid: $2,610
Student fees allowance (2026-27)

Academics

Academic calendar: Quarters (autumn, winter, spring, optional summer)

Computer Science

One of the most commonly completed majors, with Google's founders among its graduate alumni.

Human Biology

An interdisciplinary major that is among the top degrees Stanford awards.

Economics

Another of the most popular majors, with strong links to the Graduate School of Business and policy institutes.

Bing Overseas Studies Program

Quarter-long programs in 11 locations taken by about half of each class.

Doerr School of Sustainability

Stanford's newest school, focused on climate and sustainability science.

Research

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank on campus.
More than 7,500 externally sponsored research projects and 15 independent laboratories, centers and institutes.

Schools & faculties

Graduate School of Business
Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Graduate School of Education
School of Engineering
School of Humanities and Sciences
Stanford Law School
School of Medicine

Graduation rate

92%

First-year students who return

98%

Student life

Campus life centres on the Main Quad, the Oval and a large residential area, and most undergraduates live on campus. Traditions give the year its rhythm: the Wacky Walk at Commencement, Full Moon on the Quad, fountain hopping in warm weather, and Big Game, the annual football rivalry with Cal Berkeley. Athletics are a big part of the identity, with the Cardinal competing in NCAA Division I in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The weather means much of social life happens outdoors.

Big Game, the football rivalry with UC Berkeley.
The Wacky Walk, when graduates enter Commencement in costume.
Full Moon on the Quad and fountain hopping, especially at White Memorial Fountain.
NCAA Division I athletics in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Location

Stanford sits next to Palo Alto, about 37 miles south-east of San Francisco in the Santa Clara Valley. The area is expensive and car-oriented, but the Caltrain station in Palo Alto connects campus to San Francisco and San Jose, and the free Marguerite shuttle runs around campus. Tech company offices, venture firms and startups are all nearby, so internships and speaker events are easy to reach. Weather is mild and dry most of the year.

Nearest airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO); San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is also nearby

Notable alumni

SR
Sally Ride

First American woman in space; B.S., B.A., M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford
SD
Sandra Day O'Connor

First woman on the U.S. Supreme Court; B.A. 1950 and law degree 1952
LP
Larry Page

Google co-founder; M.S.
SB
Sergey Brin

Google co-founder; M.S.
PK
Phil Knight

Co-founder of Nike; Stanford MBA
RH
Reed Hastings

Co-founder of Netflix; M.S. 1988
JS
John Steinbeck

Nobel Prize-winning novelist; studied English at Stanford, leaving without a degree in 1925
ES
Evan Spiegel

Co-founder of Snapchat

Frequently asked questions

What is Stanford's acceptance rate?

For the fall 2025 entering class, Stanford admitted 2,302 of 60,646 first-year applicants, about 3.8%, according to its 2025-26 Common Data Set.

Does Stanford require the SAT or ACT?

Yes. SAT or ACT scores are required and self-reported. Testing was optional for the Class of 2029; the middle 50% of those enrolled first-years who submitted scores was 1520-1570 on the SAT and 34-36 on the ACT.

Is Stanford early action binding?

No. Restrictive Early Action is non-binding, but you may not apply early to other private universities or to binding early plans at public universities. The deadline is November 1.

Is Stanford need-blind for international students?

No. Stanford is need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but a request for aid is a factor for other international applicants. Stanford meets full demonstrated need for everyone it admits.

How much does Stanford cost?

The 2026-27 estimated cost of attendance is $97,545, including $67,731 tuition, before travel. Parents earning under $100,000 are not expected to contribute.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.