Stanford Admission Requirements
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Stanford Admission Overview
Stanford admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Stanford admitted 3.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.96 GPA (A) and SAT 1510-1580 / ACT 34-35. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Stanford requires the SAT or ACT for 2026-27.
Stanford Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Extreme
Admission difficulty for Stanford University
Acceptance Rate
The Stanford acceptance rate is 3.6%. Last year, only 2,067 of 57,326 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in California and the 7th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Stanford and can you get accepted?
Stanford is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Stanford University typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.96. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 82% enrolled. That suggests Stanford is the top choice for most students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Stanford GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.96Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
AAverage GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.96
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Stanford typically have around a 3.96 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.96 average does not by itself determine admission.
75% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #6 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Stanford Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Stanford University requires first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle to submit SAT or ACT scores. Applicants may self-report their highest scores; official reports from the testing agency are required only if you enroll. Stanford has no preference between the SAT and ACT and sets no minimum score. English proficiency exams cannot replace the SAT or ACT. ACT Science and Writing and the SAT Essay are optional.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/testing.html
Stanford SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1510-1580Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
51%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 740
- Math 770
- Composite 1510
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 780
- Math 800
- Composite 1580
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Stanford typically score around a 1550 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1580) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Stanford ranks #2 in the state of California and #9 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1580
Matching last year's 1510–1580 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1550 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Stanford ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
34-35Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
19%25th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 33
- Composite 34
75th Percentile Scores
- English 36
- Math 36
- Composite 35
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Stanford typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Stanford places #5 among colleges in California and #38 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35
Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.
Open the Stanford chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Stanford University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 2, 2027Days left to Apply
124Applicants have 124 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 2, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Stanford University is $90.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Stanford is test-required for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 3.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.96 GPA (about an A average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Stanford University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=243744.
GPA calculator: Stanford University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026