About
See what students say:
Academics
There are few universities that can match the prestige and caliber of Stanford University. At “the forefront of [nearly] every field of study,” it’s easy to understand why so many students are attracted to the school. Of course, far more than simply offering access to highly rated departments, Stanford strives to “expand your creativity, challenge and deepen your world view, and make you a passionate and informed citizen of the world.” Moreover, the opportunities for research “are incredible” and “the support for students (residential, emotional, academic) is unrivaled.” And while the university is certainly “academically rigorous,” it is “without the competitive edge that many top-tier institutions are known for.” Inside the classroom, undergrads are privy to “dynamic” professors who easily “draw [students] into the material because they are so excited to share their passion for the subject.” Though instructors are “at the top of their respective fields,” most are also “engaging and approachable.” A mechanical engineering major supports this sentiment sharing, “I play basketball on Friday mornings with my major adviser and will often bring my homework with me in order to talk to him about problems I’m stuck on afterward.” Ultimately, as this senior boasts, “At Stanford, anything is possible; I’ve lived on a schooner with faculty studying sharks, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, hiked in the Australian rainforest, studied Antarctic phytoplankton with world-class scientists, and spent countless nights discussing philosophy, politics, film, and art until sunrise.”
Student Body
Stanford undergrads speak glowingly of their peers: “Everyone here is smart and has some story that will blow you out of the water if you ask, but are very humble and really just looking to have a good time.” They also steadfastly assert, “There really is no typical Stanford student.” And, thankfully, that “makes it easy to be an integrated and diverse student body.” That being said, most Stanford undergrads are “very driven, independently motivated and willing to seek out opportunities.” One senior elaborates by sharing, “Everyone fits in because we’re united by a fire that drives us all to be excited about what we do. The trends you’ll see will be along the lines of leadership and crazy intellect.” Ultimately, students at Stanford are “ridiculously friendly and you can meet new people all over campus at almost every type of event.”
Campus Life
Undergrads agree that “it’s pretty much impossible to be bored” at Stanford. Though students “work insanely hard during the week,” they “also make it a priority to have a great time.” And with so much to take advantage of, having fun is pretty easy. For example, the university sponsors “Cardinal Nights,” a non-alcoholic program that hosts a number of events including “trips to Great America, a local amusem*nt park, [a] movie pre-screening, and Stanford’s Got Talent. All of the events are either free or extremely cheap for students.” Undergrads also look forward to “special dinners...a common event in upper class housing.” These are “nice on-campus dinners that are catered by house chefs. The meals usually have themes, such as Saturday Night Live or Moulin Rouge.” Moreover, while there is certainly a drinking scene, it’s pretty laid back. A sophom*ore explains, “you can find as much or as little of a party culture here as you’re looking for. There’s always a frat party to attend on the weekends, and there’s always people to just hang out with at the dorm.” Finally, students love the fact that hometown Palo Alto leaves them in close proximity to San Francisco. “A trip to the city is a short train-ride or car-ride away, so going to concerts and events in the city is always a fun option. Same goes for the nearby beaches.” However, “there’s always so much going on on-campus that sometimes it’s hard to leave!”
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Director of Visitor Relations
Address
295 Galvez St
Stanford, CA 94305-5005
Phone
650-723-2091
admission@stanford.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Cantor Center for the Visual Arts
The Anderson Collection at Stanford University
Memorial Church
Tresidder Memorial Union
Bing Concert Hall
The Stanford campus is among the most beautiful anywhere and is a popular destination for tourists and other visitors.
Most Popular Places Off Campus
San Francisco
Stanford Shopping Center
Sonoma and Napa Valley
Santa Cruz/Pacific Ocean
Yosemite
Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in one of the most diverse, cultural, innovative and interesting places in the nation.
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
daily
650-723-2091
Campus Tours
Appointment Required:
Dates:
Times:
Average Length:
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Monday through Friday, with exceptions
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Contact Email Address for Visit
http://www.gostanford.com
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Other
Limitations
Admitted students only
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
San Francisco International Airport is 25 miles from campus, and San Jose International Airport is 16 miles from campus. Public transportation, taxi, and van service are available from the airports to campus. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve San Francisco. From San Francisco and San Jose commuter train service (Caltrain) is available to Palo Alto, with frequent Stanford shuttle bus service to campus.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From Highway 101 North & SouthExit onto Embarcadero Road and travel west, following the signs directing you to Stanford University. About three miles after you exit the freeway, Embarcadero Road becomes Galvez Street as you cross El Camino Real. Stay in the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road.From Highway 280 North & SouthExit onto Sand Hill Road and follow the signs for Stanford University. Heading east, drive approximately 3 miles to the Stanford Shopping Center. Turn right onto Arboretum Road (Nordstrom is on your right). Stay on Arboretum until it ends, then turn right onto Galvez Street. Move to the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road.
Local Accommodations
Stanford is adjacent to Palo Alto and Menlo Park, both of which offer an abundance of lodging choices, ranging from B&Bs and motels to luxury hotels.
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- Admissions
- Academics
- Student Body
- Campus Life
- Careers
Admissions
- Overview
- Testing Policies
- Deadlines
- Other Admission Factors
- Selectivity Rating
Admissions
Overview
Applicants:53,733
Acceptance Rate:4%
Average HS GPA:3.90
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
740 - 780
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
770 - 800
SAT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1500 - 1540
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
34 - 35
Testing Policies
Superscore ACT
Yes
Superscore SAT
Yes
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Test Optional
Deadlines
Early Action — November 1
Regular — January 5
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Class Rank
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Extracurricular Activities
Talent / Ability
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Admissions selectivity rating
99/99
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Academics
- Faculty and Class Information
- Graduation Rates
- Majors
- Degrees
- Career Services
- Prominent Alumni
- Academic Rating
Academics
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
6:1
Total Faculty
2,082
with Terminal Degree
1,291
Men
791
Women
502
Minority
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Professors interesting rating
89/99
Professors accessible rating
94/99
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
73%
Graduate in 5 years
90%
Graduate in 6 years
95%
Majors
ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.
Architecture.
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American Indian/Native American Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
Area Studies.
Asian-American Studies.
East Asian Studies.
Ethnic Studies.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
French Studies.
German Studies.
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies.
Italian Studies.
Spanish and Iberian Studies.
Women's Studies.
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other.
Biology, General.
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Communication and Media Studies.
Communication, General.
Mass Communication/Media Studies.
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
ENGINEERING.
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering, General.
Computer Engineering, Other.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Physics.
Engineering, General.
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Comparative Literature.
French Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Spanish Language and Literature.
HISTORY.
History, General.
LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
Music.
Theatre/Theater.
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Computational and Applied Mathematics.
Mathematics.
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Classical and Ancient Studies.
Human Biology.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Science, Technology and Society.
Systems Science and Theory.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Jewish/Judaic Studies.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Geophysics and Seismology.
Materials Sciences.
Physics, General.
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Public Policy Analysis, General.
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Archeology.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
Urban Studies/Affairs.
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Industrial and Product Design.
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Degrees
Bachelor's
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Stephen Breyer
U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Olympic Athlete
David Henry Hwang
Playwright
Reed Hastings
Founder of Netflix
Issa Rae
Actor
Sergey Brin and Lawrence Page
Cofounders of Google
Rachel Maddow
Broadcaster
Academic Rating
Academic rating
91/99
Careers
- Graduation Rates
- Career Services
- Students Say
- Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
73%
Graduate in 5 years
90%
Graduate in 6 years
95%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$95,600
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$173,800
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$101,400
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$190,900
Percent High Job Meaning
62%
Percent STEM
50%
Return on Investment (ROI) rating
97/99
Students Say
As a top-notch school, Stanford can lead to “great job opportunities” for motivated students looking to enter a wide variety of careers. Stanford students tend to be very focused on the future, with “about a 50/50 divide of people who are planning for careers to make money and people who are planning for careers to ‘make a difference.’” Stanford Career Education will help students with either path via its Bridging Education, Ambition and Meaningful Work (BEAM) entity, which provides resources dedicated to “career communities” in specific fields, and a special community devoted solely to the needs of underclassmen still a few years from their job search. Through BEAM’s coaching and the organization of these communities, students can attend recruiting events, job fairs, mixers, and workshops tailored to their skills and intended outcomes. Most agree that Stanford “provides a great opportunity to pursue greater careers with a wide array of resources and support.” Out of Stanford alums visiting PayScale.com, the median starting salary is $95,600, and 62 percent report that they derive meaning from their jobs.
Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures
Students agree that Stanford "provides a great opportunity to pursue greater careers with a wide array of resources and support." For one, with a sponsored research budget of over $1.22 billion, Stanford's huge research program ensures someone on campus is always making something new. DoResearch is Stanford's online platform that helps student get organized and get started on whatever projects they can dream up. UAR (Undergraduate Advising and Research) connects students with faculty members studying or undertaking similar research or creative projects and provides $5.4 million to fund 1,074 student projects. And even though the school is surrounded by Silicon Valley, that doesn't alter the stellar arts and humanities programs. In fact, the university recently finished a new building for the Department of Art and Art History, which is part of a new "arts district" on campus. Even while the largest majors are in the sciences and engineering, the university "considers exposure to the arts crucial to a liberal arts education." From the stunning acoustics in Bing Concert Hall to the presentation practices in the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking, students have a chance to receive a great arts education at Stanford, too. A 2015 grad in bioengineering sums it up: "Stanford's given me the opportunity to go abroad three times as an engineer, to minor in modern languages, to explore classics and religious studies, while simultaneously excelling at the cutting edge of the world's finest bioengineering technology…with a relaxed and supportive social atmosphere. That's something that makes me feel incredibly lucky on a daily basis."
Tuition & Aid
- Dates
- Required Forms
- Available Aid
- Financial Aid Statistics
- Financial Aid Rating
- Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition & Aid
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Apr 3
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$67,163
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$63,735
Average Need-Based Loan
$3,589
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
13%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$21,372
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$46,438
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$61,731
Required Fees
$753
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$825
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$7,325
Transportation for Commuters
$1,611
On-Campus Room and Board
$19,922
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal and Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
Financial Aid Rating
97/99
Student Body
- Student Body Profile
- Demographics
Student Body
Overall
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
8,054
Foreign Countries Represented
102
Demographics
27.47%
Asian
7.91%
Black
17.66%
Hispanic
24.16%
Caucasian
11.78%
International
52% female
48% male
59% are out of state
97% are full time
3% are part time
Campus Life
- Campus Life
- Housing Options
- Sports
- Student Activities
- Special Needs Admissions
- Student Services
- Sustainability
- Campus Security Report
- Other Information
Campus Life
Overview
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
92%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
Quality of life rating
88/99
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Small Urban
Fire safety rating
89/99
Housing Options
Apartment Married
Apartment Single
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Special Needs Admissions
Director
Terry Adams
College Entrance Tests Required
Yes
Interview Required
No
Documentation Required for LD
Documentation from students with a Learning Disability attending Stanford University must demonstrate the current functional impact of the disability on one or more major life activities (e.g., reading, learning, concentrating, thinking, working etc.) and provide current evidence to support the requested academic or other disability related accommodations. Visit the website for more: https://oae.stanford.edu/students/registering-oae
Documentation Required for ADHD
Special Need Services Offered
Calculator allowed in exams
Yes
Dictionary allowed in exams
Yes
Computer allowed in exams
Yes
Spellchecker allowed in exams
Yes
Extended test time
Yes
Scribes
Yes
Proctors
No
Oral exams
No
Notetakers
Yes
Distraction-free environment
Yes
Accommodation for students with ADHD
Yes
Reading machine
Yes
Other assistive technology
Yes
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
650
Number of Honor Societies
Number of Social Sororities
12
Number of Religious Organizations
30
16% join a fraternity
22% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division I
11% participate in intercollegiate sports
Men's Sports (Cardinal)
17 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Sailing
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Women's Sports (Cardinal)
20 Sports
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Sailing
Sand Volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Water Polo
Student Services
Day Care
Health
Womens Center
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Santa Clara University
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of California Berkeley
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: San Jose State University
Sustainability
Green rating
99/99
AASHE STARS® rating
Platinum
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
% food budget spent on local/organic food
35%
Available Transportation Alternatives
Bike Share
Yes
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Yes
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
The Stanford Bookstore offers special pricing on computers.
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