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Stanford University

Private

Stanford, CA

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Stanford University is a private mid-sized school in Stanford, CA, enrolling about 7,554 undergraduates. Admissions are highly selective here -- roughly 4% of applicants get in. Among reported majors, Computer Science shows the strongest outcomes -- $214,907/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing is mandatory here.

Admissions

Admit rate4%
SAT range1510–1580
ACT range34–35
Undergrads7,554
Yield (admits who enroll)84%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$87,833
4-year grad rate92%
Median earnings, 10yr out$124,080

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Stanford University weighs your application

From Stanford University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesVery important
Talent/abilityVery important
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans6%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out90%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$45,519/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$214,907/yr
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering$117,072/yr
Engineering, Other$115,206/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$82,036/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Cognitive Science$131,650/yr
Science, Technology and Society$107,375/yr
Human Biology$81,529/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$112,700/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$91,075/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusYes
Dormitory capacity14,162
Typical room charge$11,682
Typical board charge$6,937

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Stanford University look for in applicants?

Per Stanford University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?

Stanford University in Stanford, CA admits approximately 4% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Stanford University?

Admitted students at Stanford University typically score between 1510–1580 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Stanford University?

Admitted students at Stanford University typically score between 34–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Stanford University cost?

Stanford University's total cost of attendance is reported at $87,833 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Stanford University?

Stanford University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Stanford University require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Stanford University requires students to live in on-campus housing.

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