University

Stanford University

Stanford, California, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford, California 94305. It offers undergraduate education and uses a holistic admission review in which each part of an application is reviewed as part of an integrated whole. First-year applicants apply through the Common Application under one of two pathways: Restrictive Early Action (a non-binding early plan) or Regular Decision. Stanford provides need-based financial aid to admitted undergraduates and states that it does not expect students to borrow to meet their need. An optional arts portfolio may be submitted, and an optional interview with a Stanford alumnus may be offered depending on alumni availability in the applicant's area.

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Suburban
Application platforms: Common App
Testing policy: Test required (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $65,910
Out-of-state tuition: $65,910
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,554

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2025–2026 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

3.8%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,346 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 7,289 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 57 students

First-year admission

Majors

Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Engineering
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Applied Mathematics
Mathematics and Statistics
Archeology
Social Sciences
Area Studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Engineering
Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Civil Engineering

Deadlines

Restrictive early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-05 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Restrictive early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Restrictive Early Action is Stanford's non-binding early application plan for first-year applicants.

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

3 short essays plus Stanford short questions

Stanford requires the Stanford Questions in addition to the Common Application personal essay; each listed short essay has a 100-word minimum and 250-word maximum.

2026–2027

Required · Common Application first-year supplement
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
Limit: 250 words — Stanford short essay; 100-word minimum and 250-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · Common Application first-year supplement
Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
Limit: 250 words — Stanford short essay; 100-word minimum and 250-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $100
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Required

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official Stanford first-year Stanford Questions and essay limits.
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url
https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

2,302 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

1,839 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

Not reported by institution

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 55.57%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 20.94%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 750 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 780 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 770 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 800 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 34 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 36 score

Cost

Tuition (G1): $67,731; The 2025-2026 CDS reports this as the 2026-2027 academic-year amount.
Required fees (G1): $843; The 2025-2026 CDS reports this as the 2026-2027 academic-year amount.
Housing and food (G1): $22,944; The 2025-2026 CDS reports this as the 2026-2027 academic-year amount.

Retention and graduation

First-year retention rate · Fall 2024 entering cohort retained in Fall 2025 (B22): 97.46%
Graduation rate · Six-year graduation rate, Fall 2019 cohort (B27): 91.64%

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 10:1

Source: Stanford University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-08-29

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:dd67ed4e2996f9019cdc9ec35835f6654a178644fea9fa7ce78d79dcfc35ef0f · Import: cds-2026-08-v2

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Cognitive Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Computer Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Economics

Social Sciences

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering-Related Fields

Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields

Engineering, Other

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

Engineering

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Biology

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

International Relations and National Security Studies

Social Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Materials Engineering

Engineering

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Policy Analysis

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Research and Experimental Psychology

Psychology

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Science, Technology and Society

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Sociology

Social Sciences

Sustainability Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Systems Science and Theory

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Urban Studies/Affairs

Social Sciences

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2025-11-15 — Restrictive Early Action priority filing date for CSS Profile, IDOC, and FAFSA. Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2026-02-15 (Regular Decision priority filing date for financial aid.).

https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/requirements/rea_us.html

Regular decision · 2025–2026

2026-01-05

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

Required · Common Application first-year supplement

Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.

Limit: 250 words — Stanford short essay; 100-word minimum and 250-word maximum.

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Required

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?

Limit: 50 words

Required

How did you spend your last two summers?

Limit: 50 words

Required

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?

Limit: 50 words

Required

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.

Limit: 50 words

Required

List five things that are important to you.

Limit: 50 words

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · first-year applicants
Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
Limit: 250 words — Short essay; 100-word minimum, 250-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.
Limit: 250 words — Short essay; 100-word minimum, 250-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
Limit: 250 words — Short essay; 100-word minimum, 250-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
List five things that are important to you.
Limit: 50 words — Short question; 3-word minimum, 50-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
Limit: 50 words — Short question; 3-word minimum, 50-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
Limit: 50 words — Short question; 3-word minimum, 50-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
How did you spend your last two summers?
Limit: 50 words — Short question; 3-word minimum, 50-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Required · first-year applicants
What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
Limit: 50 words — Short question; 3-word minimum, 50-word maximum.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Value: 3 short essays plus Stanford short questions

Stanford requires the Stanford Questions in addition to the Common Application personal essay; each listed short essay has a 100-word minimum and 250-word maximum.

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: $100
$100 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver request.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Fee waiver · Optional
A fee waiver request may be submitted in lieu of the $100 application fee.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Teacher evaluations · Required
Value: 2
Letters of recommendation from two teachers.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Counselor recommendation · Required
School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Supplemental essays · Required
Value: 5 short questions and 3 short essays
Stanford Questions submitted through the Common Application: five short questions (3-50 words each) and three short essays (100-250 words each).
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html
Interview · Optional
Optional interview with a Stanford alumnus, offered based on alumni availability; the application is considered complete with or without an interview.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/interview.html
Portfolio · Optional
Optional arts portfolio; due October 15 for Restrictive Early Action or December 5 for Regular Decision.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Secondary school report · Required
School Report form plus official transcript(s) or academic results.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
Midyear report · Required
Midyear transcript due by February 15.
https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/
CSS Profile · Required
Required for need-based institutional scholarship consideration (school code 4704). Priority filing date November 15 for Restrictive Early Action.
https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/requirements/rea_us.html
FAFSA · Required
Required for federal and state aid (school code 001305).
https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/requirements/rea_us.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/testing.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/requirements/rea_us.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/apply.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/interview.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/requirements/rea_us.html

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/apply/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://admission.stanford.edu/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?243744

Retrieved 2026-06-10