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#2 Best Colleges in America

Stanford University

Stanford, California

 6 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

18,283
Stanford University overview
Location Stanford, California
Online stanford.edu
School Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large Suburban
Stanford University overview
Size Large
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, is a private research institution that has stood at the forefront of innovation and education since its establishment in 1885. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, near Palo Alto and less than an hour's drive from San Francisco, the university's sprawling 8,180-acre campus is distinguished by its harmonious blend of Romanesque and Mission Revival architectural styles. Home to approximately 7,000 undergraduates, Stanford emphasizes a residential college experience, primarily offering four-year on-campus housing. Acknowledged for its highly selective admissions process, the university attracts a diverse and accomplished student body. Academically, Stanford is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, business, and a comprehensive range of disciplines across seven schools. Notably, the institution also maintains a significant athletic reputation, particularly in sports such as football and tennis, competing as the Stanford Cardinal within the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference.

In the most recent statistical year 56,378 prospective students applied, and 2,075 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 1,736 enrolled in the school.  16,992 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,291 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $57,693 plus fees of $723. Stanford is ranked 2 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

10/10

Overall

10/10

Academics

10/10

Resources

10/10

Outcomes

10/10

Value

Stanford is rated within the top 2% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Stanford University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Exceptional
Stanford University overview
SAT 1500/1580
ACT 33/35
GPA 3.96

Applications Accepted

3.7% 
Stanford University overview
Applications Due Jan 2, 2025
Applicant Competition Extreme
Application Fee $90

Explore admissions requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$57,693
Costs for Stanford University
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$1,350
Other Fees$723
Room and Board $18,619
Budget for Other Expenses$3,777
Total One Year Cost$82,162

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$122,900 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

96% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Stanford University students
Subject Percent of Class
Social Sciences 21%
General Studies 16%
Engineering 15%
Biology 7%
Computer and Information Sciences 5%

View All 58 Majors

Other Colleges to Consider 

Students considering Stanford are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=243744 IPEDS survey data for Stanford University.

Current students may use the Stanford University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024