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Stanford University

Stanford, California 94305

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings

Stanford University is a private institution in Stanford with particular strength in computer science and engineering. With an average SAT of 1553, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 7.8K undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

93% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $124,080 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,136.

Established
1891
Motto
Die Luft der Freiheit weht
Mascot
Stanford Tree (unofficial)
Type
Private research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

4%Acceptance
1553SAT Avg
7,841Students
6:1Student:Faculty
93%Grad Rate
$124,080Earnings 10yr
$12,136Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate3.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1553

Reading & WritingMid: 745
740780
MathMid: 775
770800

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 35
3435

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$62,484
Room & Board$19,922
Books & Supplies$825
Total Cost of Attendance$82,162
Average Net Price$12,136
Median Debt at Graduation$12,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$127

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K-$79
$30–48K-$350
$48–75K$1,323
$75–110K$8,816
$110K+$50,452

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

94.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$9,851

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

56

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

13

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

6

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

16

Drug Arrests

12

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (183)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

98%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
7,841
Gender Split
52% / 48%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 24%
Black 8%
Hispanic 18%
Asian 27%
Two+ 10%
Int'l 12%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate92.8%
Freshman Retention97.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$102,887
10 Years$124,080

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#4
vs 2024
Forbes
#2
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#13
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • The university officially opened in 1891 on the Stanfords' former Palo Alto farm.
  • Both Cornell and Stanford were among the first to make higher education accessible, non-sectarian, and inclusive of women and men.
  • Cornell is recognized as one of the first American universities to embrace this progressive approach to education, and Stanford quickly followed suit, solidifying its commitment to these ideals.
  • Stanford University School of Medicine was established in 1908 when the university acquired Cooper Medical College in San Francisco; it moved to the Stanford campus in 1959.
  • The Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925 at the urging of then-trustee Herbert Hoover.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Franciscopop. 870K
28 mi(49 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
321 mi(556 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
431 mi(747 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SJC San Jose14 mi
SFO San Francisco18 mi
SMF Sacramento93 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2690 mi · ~77h 43m drive
New York, NY2561 mi · ~73h 59m drive
Hartford, CT2616 mi · ~75h 34m drive
Providence, RI2679 mi · ~77h 24m drive
Albany, NY2551 mi · ~73h 42m drive
Syracuse, NY2427 mi · ~70h 7m drive
Rochester, NY2353 mi · ~67h 59m drive
Buffalo, NY2291 mi · ~66h 11m drive
Philadelphia, PA2511 mi · ~72h 32m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2255 mi · ~65h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA2418 mi · ~69h 51m drive
Newark, NJ2552 mi · ~73h 43m drive
Washington, DC2428 mi · ~70h 9m drive
Baltimore, MD2445 mi · ~70h 38m drive
Atlanta, GA2124 mi · ~61h 22m drive
Charlotte, NC2287 mi · ~66h 4m drive
Raleigh, NC2396 mi · ~69h 13m drive
Miami, FL2575 mi · ~74h 23m drive
Orlando, FL2422 mi · ~69h 58m drive
Tampa, FL2381 mi · ~68h 47m drive
Nashville, TN1948 mi · ~56h 17m drive
New Orleans, LA1906 mi · ~55h 4m drive
Richmond, VA2429 mi · ~70h 10m drive
Chicago, IL1850 mi · ~53h 27m drive
Detroit, MI2083 mi · ~60h 11m drive
Minneapolis, MN1580 mi · ~45h 39m drive
St. Louis, MO1733 mi · ~50h 4m drive
Kansas City, MO1495 mi · ~43h 11m drive
Indianapolis, IN1938 mi · ~55h 59m drive
Columbus, OH2103 mi · ~60h 45m drive
Cleveland, OH2157 mi · ~62h 19m drive
Milwaukee, WI1835 mi · ~53h 1m drive
Dallas, TX1465 mi · ~42h 19m drive
Houston, TX1624 mi · ~46h 55m drive
Austin, TX1481 mi · ~42h 47m drive
San Antonio, TX1468 mi · ~42h 25m drive
Los Angeles, CA321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
San Francisco, CA28 mi · ~49 min drive
San Diego, CA431 mi · ~12h 27m drive
Seattle, WA703 mi · ~20h 19m drive
Portland, OR559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Denver, CO940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
Salt Lake City, UT597 mi · ~17h 15m drive
Honolulu, HI2401 mi · ~69h 22m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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