PrivateSuburbanStanford University
Stanford, California 94305
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
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.
Rankings
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
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1553
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Typical Application Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
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
Programs (183)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
98%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
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)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment