Stanford University
Stanford, CA · West
- Acceptance rate
- 3.6%
- SAT mid-50
- 1510-1580
- Cost after aid
- $13,807
- Graduation rate
- 92%
Application deadlines
Official 2026-2027 cycle deadlines for Stanford University.
| Plan | Deadline |
|---|---|
Restrictive Early Action | Nov 1, 2026 |
Regular Decision | Jan 5, 2027 |
What Stanford University says matters
How Stanford University rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.
- Acceptance rate
- 3.6%
- 2,067 of 57,326
- Yield
- 82%
- 1,693 enrolled
- SAT mid-50
- 1510-1570
- ACT mid-50
- 34-35
- CDS year
- 2024-25
Acceptance rate by gender
- Men
- 3.4%1,015 of 29,602
- Women
- 3.8%1,052 of 27,724
Very important
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character or personal qualities
Considered
- Standardized test scores
- Interview
- First generation
- Alumni relation
- Geographical residence
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- State residency
- Religious affiliation or commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
The full Common Data Set
Every figure Stanford University published for 2024-25, section by section.
First-Time, First-Year Admission125
Entrance Exams
- In addition, does your institution use applicants' test scores for academic advising?
- No
- AP
- X
- Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?
- Yes
Applications
- Total first-time, first-year men who applied
- 29,602
- Total first-time, first-year women who applied
- 27,724
- Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted
- 1,015
- Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted
- 1,052
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
- 835
- Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
- 858
- Total first-time, first-year students who applied
- 57,326
- Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
- 2,067
- Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled
- 1,693
Wait List
- Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list?
- Yes
- Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:
- 483
- Number accepting a place on the waiting list:
- 414
- Number of wait-listed students admitted:
- 25
Admissions Requirements
- Total academic units
- 20
- English
- 4
- Mathematics
- 4
- Science
- 3
- Foreign language
- 3
- Social studies
- 3
- Visual/Performing Arts
- 3
Basis for Selection
- Rigor of secondary school record
- Very Important
- Class rank
- Very Important
- Academic GPA
- Very Important
- Standardized test scores
- Considered
- Application Essay
- Very Important
- Recommendation(s)
- Very Important
- Interview
- Considered
- Extracurricular activities
- Very Important
- Talent/ability
- Very Important
- Character/personal qualities
- Very Important
- First generation
- Considered
- Alumni/ae relation
- Considered
- Geographical residence
- Considered
- State residency
- Not Considered
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Not Considered
- Volunteer work
- Considered
- Work experience
- Considered
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Not Considered
First-time, first-year Profile
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 0.503
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 0.19
- Submitting SAT Scores
- 857
- Submitting ACT Scores
- 324
- SAT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 1,510
- SAT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 1,540
- SAT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 1,570
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile
- 740
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile
- 760
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile
- 780
- SAT Math: 25th Percentile
- 770
- SAT Math: 50th Percentile
- 790
- SAT Math: 75th Percentile
- 800
- ACT Composite: 25th Percentile
- 34%
- ACT Composite: 50th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT Composite: 75th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT Math: 25th Percentile
- 33%
- ACT Math: 50th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT Math: 75th Percentile
- 36%
- ACT English: 25th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT English: 50th Percentile
- 35%
- ACT English: 75th Percentile
- 36%
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800
- 95.8
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699
- 4.1
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599
- 0.1
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 400-499
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 300-399
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-299
- 0
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: Total
- 100
- SAT Math: 700-800
- 97.2
- SAT Math: 600-699
- 2.5
- SAT Math: 500-599
- 0.4
- SAT Math: 400-499
- 0
- SAT Math: 300-399
- 0
- SAT Math: 200-299
- 0
- SAT Math: Total
- 100
- SAT Composite: 1400-1600
- 97.3
- SAT Composite: 1200-1399
- 2.5
- SAT Composite: 1000-1199
- 0.2
- SAT Composite: 800-999
- 0
- SAT Composite: 600-799
- 0
- SAT Composite: 400-599
- 0
- ACT Composite: 30-36
- 99.1
- ACT Composite: 24-29
- 0.6
- ACT Composite: 18-23
- 0.3
- ACT Composite: 12-17
- 0
- ACT Composite: 6-11
- 0
- ACT Composite: Below 6
- 0
- ACT Composite: Total
- 100
- Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class
- 98%
- Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class
- 100%
- Percent in top half of high school graduating class
- 100%
- Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class
- 0
- Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class
- 0
- Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:
- 19%
- Total
- 0
- Total
- 0
- Percent who had GPA of 4.0
- 73%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99
- 17%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74
- 6.7%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
- 3.0%
- Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24
- 30%
- Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99
- 30%
- Total
- 100
- Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA:
- 3.94
- Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school GPA:
- 68%
Admission Policies
- Does your institution have an application fee?
- Yes
- Amount of application fee:
- 100
- Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?
- Yes
- Same fee
- X
- Application closing date (fall)
- 1
- Priority Date
- 5
- Date
- X
- Yes, other:
- 4
- Other Date
- 1
- Date
- X
- No set Date
- 5
- Must reply by May 1st or within____weeks if notified after
- 1
- Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission?
- Yes
- If yes, maximum period of postponement:
- 2 years
- Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year students one year or more before high school graduation?
- No
- Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?
- No
- Other early decision plan notification date
- Page 13
- Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college?
- Yes
Transfer Admission25
Fall Applicants
- If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?
- Yes
- Men
- 2,383
- Women
- 1,737
- Unknown
- 4,120
- Total
- 40
- Men
- 25
- Another Gender
- 65
- Unknown
- 32
- Total
- 24
- Women
- 56
Application for Admission
- Fall
- X
- Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?
- No
- High school transcript
- Required of Some
- College transcript(s)
- Required of All
- Essay or personal statement
- Not Required
- Interview
- Not Required
- Standardized test scores
- Not Required
- Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)
- Not Required
- List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:
- https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/transfer/index.html
- Fall
- 3
- Winter
- 15
- Fall
- 5
- Winter
- 15
- Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:
- ##
Transfer Credit Policies
- If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located:
- https://bulletin.stanford.edu/academic-polices/veterans-military-benefits/certification
Academic Offerings and Policies13
Special Study Options
- Distance learning
- X
- Double major
- X
- Dual enrollment
- X
- Exchange student program (domestic)
- X
- Honors Program
- X
- Independent study
- X
- Internships
- X
- Student-designed major
- X
- Study abroad
- X
- Teacher certification program
- X
- Undergraduate Research
- X
Required Course Work
- Foreign languages
- X
- Intensive writing
- X
Student Life40
Percent Participating
- Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
- 55%
- Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
- 100%
- Percent who live off campus or commute
- 0
- Percent of students age 25 and older
- 0
- Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
- 57%
- Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing
- 96%
- Percent who live off campus or commute
- 4.0%
- Percent of students age 25 and older
- 1.7%
Average Age
- Average age of full-time students
- 19
- Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
- 19
- Average age of full-time students
- 21
- Average age of all students (full- and part-time)
- 21
Activities Offered
- Campus Ministries
- X
- Choral groups
- X
- Concert band
- X
- Dance
- X
- Drama/theater
- X
- International Student Organization
- X
- Jazz band
- X
- Literary magazine
- X
- Marching band
- X
- Model UN
- X
- Music ensembles
- X
- Musical theater
- X
- Opera
- X
- Pep band
- X
- Radio station
- X
- Student government
- X
- Student newspaper
- X
- Student-run film society
- X
- Symphony orchestra
- X
Housing
- Coed dorms
- X
- Apartments for married students
- X
- Apartments for single students
- X
- Special housing for disabled students
- X
- Special housing for international students
- X
- Fraternity/sorority housing
- X
- Cooperative housing
- X
- Theme housing
- X
- Wellness housing
- X
Financial Aid35
Students Awarded Non-need-based Aid
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 2
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 4,150
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 139
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 56,823
- N. Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits)
- 44
- O. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
- 7,017
- P. Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
- 529
- Q. Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
- 58,360
Students Awarded Aid
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 1,699
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 1,107
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 843
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 843
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 833
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 540
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 5
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 808
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 100%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 74244
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 70114
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 2827
- M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan
- 3243
- A. Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)
- 7,841
- B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
- 4,470
- C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
- 3,928
- D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
- 3,928
- E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 3,885
- F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
- 2,898
- G. Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
- 80
- H. Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 3,405
- I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 100%
- J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
- 72172
- K. Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e
- 68013
- L. Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f
- 3096
- M. Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan
- 4205
Graduating Cohort
- Provide the number of students in the 2024 undergraduate class who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Exclude students who transferred into your institution.
- 26
Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred21
Diploma/Certificates
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 0
Associate
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 0
Bachelors
- Area, ethnic, and gender studies
- 2.5
- Communication/journalism
- 1.1
- Computer and information sciences
- 17.9
- Engineering
- 16.1
- Engineering technologies
- 3.3
- Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
- 2
- English
- 1.8
- Biological/life sciences
- 4.2
- Mathematics and statistics
- 4.9
- Military science and military technologies
- 28
- Interdisciplinary studies
- 15.2
- Philosophy and religious studies
- 1.5
- Physical sciences
- 4.6
- Psychology
- 4.2
- Public administration and social services
- 0.8
- Social sciences
- 16.5
- Visual and performing arts
- 2.5
- History
- 1.1
- TOTAL (should = 100%)
- 100%
Enrollment And Persistence119
Institutional Enrollment
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men
- 835
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women
- 2,819
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender
- 2,819
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown
- 0
- Other first-year, degree-seeking: women
- 3,654
- Total degree-seeking: unknown
- 0
- Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: unknown
- 0
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women
- 858
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender
- 3,042
- Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown
- 3,042
- Other first-year, degree-seeking: another gender
- 3,900
- Total degree-seeking: unknown
- 0
- All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown
- 0
- Total undergraduate Part-Time Students: unknown
- 0
- Total undergraduate students: another gender
- 0
- All other degree-seeking: unknown
- 7,904
- All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: men
- 10,721
- All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: women
- 18,625
- Total graduate Part-Time Students: unknown
- 0
- Total All Students: unknown
- 0
All
- Total graduate Full-Time Students: unknown
- 0
Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category
- Nonresidents
- 242
- Hispanic/Latino
- 248
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 76
- White, non-Hispanic
- 408
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 12
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 559
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 2
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 141
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 5
- TOTAL
- 1,693
- Nonresidents
- 965
- Hispanic/Latino
- 1,289
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 560
- White, non-Hispanic
- 1,737
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 60
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 2,170
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 14
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 724
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 35
- TOTAL
- 7,554
- Nonresidents
- 965
- Hispanic/Latino
- 1,501
- Black or African American, non-Hispanic
- 644
- White, non-Hispanic
- 1,754
- American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
- 62
- Asian, non-Hispanic
- 2,199
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
- 16
- Two or more races, non-Hispanic
- 724
- Race and/or ethnicity unknown
- 39
- TOTAL
- 7,904
Persistence
- Bachelor's degrees
- 1,828
- Master's degrees
- 2,634
- Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship
- 739
- Doctoral degrees – professional practice
- 275
Graduation Rates
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 299
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 30
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,367
- Total
- 1,696
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 30
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,367
- Total
- 1,696
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 299
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 30
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,367
- Total
- 1,696
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 138
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 16
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 708
- Total
- 862
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 97
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 11
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 445
- Total
- 553
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 27
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 2
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 115
- Total
- 144
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 262
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 29
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,268
- Total
- 1,559
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 87.6
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 96.7
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 92.8
- Total
- 91.9
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 275
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 28
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,397
- Total
- 1,700
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 275
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 28
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,397
- Total
- 1,700
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 151
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 16
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 821
- Total
- 988
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 83
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 6
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 384
- Total
- 473
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 12
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 1
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 104
- Total
- 117
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 246
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 23
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 1,309
- Total
- 1,578
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
- 89.5
- Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
- 82.1
- Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
- 93.7
- Total
- 92.8
- 2021 Cohort
- 15
- 2021 Cohort
- 150
- 2020 Cohort
- 16
- 2021 Cohort
- 150
- 2021 Cohort
- 19
Instructional Faculty And Class Size8
Instructional Faculty
- A. Total number of instructional faculty
- 2,213
- B. Total number who are members of minority groups
- 537
- C. Total number who are women
- 887
- D. Total number who are men
- 1,326
- J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students
- 602
Student to Faculty Ratio
- Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio
- 6
- based on ____ students
- 7,671
- and ____ faculty
- 1,374
About Stanford University
Stanford University is a small private university in Stanford, CA, in a city setting.
What Stanford University looks for
Acceptance is roughly 4%, so admitted students nearly always have stats above the bottom of the mid-50. That said, stats alone do not get anyone in here. The applications that work read as coherent applicants with a clear academic and personal narrative more than as resumes. Admissions officers are reading for specifics: what you actually did, what you cared enough to follow through on, and how you write when you sound like yourself rather than a candidate.
Frequently asked
What SAT score do I need for Stanford University?
Stanford University's middle 50% SAT range is 1510 to 1580. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for Stanford University?
Middle 50% ACT range is 34 to 35. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?
Stanford University admits roughly 4% of applicants. That makes it a reach for nearly everyone, regardless of stats.
What does Stanford University actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $13,807 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is Stanford University a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat Stanford University as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.
