Stanford University is one of the world's leading research and teaching institutions, located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Stanford, California. Founded in 1885, Stanford is home to 7,289 undergraduate and 10,025 graduate students from 64 countries and all 50 US states, taught by 2,402 faculty members — including 20 Nobel laureates currently affiliated with the university. Across seven schools and 150 graduate fields of study, Stanford offers an education that is as intellectually rigorous as it is personally transformative. With a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 600+ student organisations, a thriving residential campus of 8,353 acres, and a long-standing commitment to making education accessible regardless of financial background, Stanford prepares its students to think deeply, act boldly, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.
Stanford University is deeply committed to making education accessible regardless of financial background. About two-thirds of students receive some form of financial aid, with 46% receiving need-based scholarships and paying an average of just $20,000 toward their bills after all grant aid is applied. For doctoral students, Stanford provides continuous 12-month funding for all enrolled PhD and DMA students in good academic standing for up to the first five years of their degree. This is achieved through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. All fees below are in US dollars for the 2025-26 academic year.
Category | Amount USD | Frequency |
Undergraduate Tuition Full-Time | $22,577 | Per quarter |
Graduate Tuition General 11 to 18 units | $21,180 | Per quarter |
Graduate Tuition Engineering 11 to 18 units | $22,562 | Per quarter |
MBA GSB Year 1 | $28,585 | Per quarter |
MBA GSB Year 2 | $27,485 | Per quarter |
MSx MS in Management | $148,872 | Annual |
MD Programme | $23,221 | Per quarter |
Law JD | $25,818 | Per quarter |
Campus Health Service Fee | $281 | Per quarter |
Cardinal Care Health Insurance | $2,936 | Per quarter |
Housing Typical First-Year | $4,934 | Per quarter |
Meal Plan Default | $2,944 | Per quarter Autumn |
Document Fee | $250 | One-time |
New Student Orientation Fee | $525 | One-time |
ASSU Student Activities Fee | $247 | Per quarter |
Annual Living Expenses Non-Tuition | ~$49K | Academic year |
Note: All costs are subject to change. |
Living expense breakdown per academic year: Rent $20,055 — Food $7,710 — Personal $9,135 — Transportation $1,980 — Books and Supplies $585 — Health Fee $843 — Health Insurance $8,808.
Stanford University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programmes across seven schools — Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Business, Education, Law, Medicine, and the Doerr School of Sustainability. Undergraduate students can choose from 66 major fields of study, while graduate students have access to approximately 150 fields of study across master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programmes. Engineering students may also design an individualised major. Stanford’s professional schools — Business, Law, and Medicine — have separate admissions processes and applications.
Stanford offers 66 undergraduate majors and 150 graduate fields of study across its seven schools. Every discipline is taught through a lens of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact — with access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and the entrepreneurial energy of Silicon Valley. Students can also pursue individually designed majors in Engineering or combine multiple disciplines through Stanford's flexible academic structure.
Stanford is one of the world's foremost research universities, running 7,500+ externally sponsored projects across 15 independent laboratories, centres, and institutes. The university invests nearly $7.5 million annually to support approximately 1,200 undergraduate students in research alone — with about one third of all undergraduates using research funding at some point during their studies. From AI and quantum computing to climate science, medicine, and the humanities, research at Stanford spans every discipline and is deeply connected to real-world impact.
Stanford University is located in Stanford, California — in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystems. The 8,353-acre campus is one of the largest in the United States, with 630 buildings, 81 undergraduate residences, nine dining halls, and world-class recreational and cultural facilities. With over 14,000 students living on campus and 600+ organised student groups, life at Stanford is as vibrant and diverse as its academic community — drawing students from 64 countries and all 50 US states.
Nearly all undergraduates and approximately 72% of graduate students live on campus across 81 undergraduate and 151 graduate residences. From residence halls and row houses to apartments for couples and families, Stanford offers a wide range of on-campus living options designed to foster community and belonging.
Stanford R&DE operates nine dining halls, a teaching kitchen, and organic gardens — providing locally sourced, sustainable meals across campus. A Stanford Dining meal plan is required for most undergraduates, with diverse options available for every dietary need and preference.
Stanford has a rich tradition of fostering creativity through a vibrant arts district along Palm Drive near the Oval — home to two world-class art museums, performance spaces, and studios. The Brown Institute for Media Innovation, Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, and numerous arts clubs and societies reflect Stanford's deep commitment to creative expression.
Stanford students compete in 36 varsity sports and 43 club sports — one of the most extensive athletic programmes of any university in the world. State-of-the-art recreational facilities and wellness programmes are available to all students, faculty, and staff through Stanford Recreation and Wellness.
Stanford's BeWell programme offers incentives, activities, and support for physical and mental health across campus. Student Affairs — comprising 25+ offices and centres — provides leadership development, residential programmes, public service opportunities, career exploration, and community engagement support throughout a student's time at Stanford.
Stanford University follows a restrictive early action policy for undergraduate admissions — students who apply early action may not apply early to any other private university. Graduate admissions deadlines vary by school and programme, with PhD applications typically due earlier than master’s applications. Professional schools — Business, Law, and Medicine — have separate admissions processes and deadlines.
Round | Deadline |
Restrictive Early Action with Arts Portfolio | 15th October 2025 |
Restrictive Early Action Standard Application | 1st November 2025 |
Regular Decision with Arts Portfolio | 5th December 2025 |
Regular Decision Standard Application | 5th January 2026 |
Transfer Application with or without Arts Portfolio | 15th March 2026 |
Programme | Deadline |
Application Available | 15th September 2025 |
PhD Application Deadline | 17th November 2025 |
MA or MS Application Deadline | 8th January 2026 |
Knight-Hennessy Scholars GSE Masters and PhD | 17th November 2025 |
Applying to Stanford University is a holistic, multi-stage process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your application journey.

Explore Stanford's seven schools and identify the programme that best aligns with your academic interests and career goals — whether it is an undergraduate major, a master's programme, a doctoral degree, or a professional programme in Business, Law, or Medicine.
Review the academic and English language requirements for your chosen programme. Undergraduate applicants must have completed secondary education. Graduate applicants require a relevant undergraduate degree with a strong academic record. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Assemble all required documents including your application form, statement of purpose, resume or CV, three letters of recommendation, college transcripts, GRE scores (where required), and English proficiency test scores. Pay the applicable application fee.
Submit your complete application online through Stanford's admissions portal before the relevant deadline — Restrictive Early Action (November 1) for undergraduates, or November 17 / January 8 for graduate applicants depending on degree type.

Stanford evaluates all applications holistically — considering academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, personal character, extracurricular involvement, and potential contribution to the Stanford community. There are no minimum GPA or test score cutoffs.
Undergraduate Early Action decisions are released in December. Regular Decision notifications are released in April. Graduate decisions are communicated by each department as per their individual timelines.
Stanford University evaluates all applicants holistically with no minimum GPA or standardised test score requirement. Eligibility criteria vary by programme level and school. Graduate and professional school requirements are set independently by each department. Below is a comprehensive overview of eligibility criteria across all programme levels.
|
Programme Level |
Minimum Qualification |
English Language Requirement |
Additional Requirements |
|
Undergraduate |
Completion of secondary education high school or equivalent |
TOEFL or IELTS required for non-native English speakers |
No minimum GPA. Holistic review of academics essays recommendations and extracurriculars |
|
MA or MS |
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution |
TOEFL or IELTS required |
GRE required for most programmes. Statement of purpose CV and 3 letters of recommendation |
|
PhD or DMA |
Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited institution |
TOEFL or IELTS required |
GRE required for most programmes. Research statement writing samples and 3 letters of recommendation |
|
MBA GSB |
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution |
TOEFL or IELTS required |
GMAT or GRE required. Work experience strongly preferred |
|
JD Law |
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution |
TOEFL or IELTS required |
LSAT required |
|
MD Medicine |
Bachelor's degree with pre-medical coursework required |
TOEFL or IELTS required |
MCAT required. Research and clinical experience expected |
|
Note: Specific GRE score requirements and minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores vary by department. Students should verify programme-specific requirements on Stanford's official admissions pages before applying. |
Below is the ranking of Stanford University based on leading global ranking bodies.
|
Source |
Ranking |
Year |
|
QS World University Ranking |
Ranked #3 in the World |
2026 |
|
TIME World's Top Universities |
Ranked #3 in the World |
2026 |
|
U.S. News and World Report |
Ranked #4 in the World |
2026 |
Stanford's location in Silicon Valley, world-class faculty network, and deeply resourced Career Education office give students unparalleled access to internship, research, and career opportunities across every sector. Stanford Career Education supports students through specialised career communities, mentor networks, employer connections, and customised guidance — available throughout a student's time at Stanford and beyond. From arts internships and sustainability fellowships to public service programmes and research assistantships at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford students have access to one of the most diverse and impactful career ecosystems in the world.
|
Field |
Career Opportunities |
Key Programmes and Employers |
|
Technology and Engineering |
Software Engineer AI Researcher Product Manager Hardware Engineer |
Google Apple Meta Microsoft Tesla NVIDIA startups |
|
Finance and Consulting |
Investment Banking Private Equity Strategy Consulting Venture Capital |
Goldman Sachs McKinsey BCG Sequoia Capital Andreessen Horowitz |
|
Medicine and Healthcare |
Physician Researcher Public Health Specialist Biotech Professional |
Stanford Health Care NIH WHO leading biotech and pharma firms |
|
Public Policy and Government |
Policy Analyst Diplomat Legislative Advisor NGO Leader |
US State Department World Bank United Nations leading think tanks |
|
Sustainability and Environment |
Climate Researcher Energy Consultant Environmental Policy Specialist |
Stanford Doerr School SLAC US Department of Energy global sustainability organisations |
|
Entrepreneurship |
Founder Co-Founder Venture Capital Professional |
StartX Stanford Technology Ventures Silicon Valley ecosystem |
|
Arts and Media |
Journalist Filmmaker Curator Creative Director |
Brown Institute for Media Innovation arts organisations media companies |
source: https://undergrad.stanford.edu/careers-and-internships
Stanford University offers need-based financial aid for international undergraduate students, with a limited pool of institutional funds available. International students must declare their need for financial aid at the time of applying — those who do not request aid on their admission application will not be eligible for institutional funds at any point during their undergraduate years. For doctoral students, Stanford provides fully funded packages regardless of nationality for up to five years. Stanford does not award merit-based scholarships separately from need-based aid.
Stanford University provides on-campus housing for nearly all undergraduates and approximately 72% of graduate students across 81 undergraduate and 151 graduate residences. Undergraduate housing includes residence halls, apartments, suites, and row houses. Graduate housing is available for single students, couples without children, and students with children — all in Stanford's Escondido Village complex. A Stanford Dining meal plan is required for most undergraduates. All housing is subject to availability and assigned through a residential lottery or application process.
|
Housing Type |
Monthly Rate USD |
Contract Length |
Notes |
|
On-Campus Housing Typical First-Year |
Approx. $4,934 per quarter |
Academic year |
Includes residence halls row houses and apartments |
|
Single Graduate Housing Escondido Village South 2-Bed 1-Bath Double Occupancy |
$1,684 per student |
Full-year or quarterly |
650 sq ft |
|
Single Graduate Housing Escondido Village South 3-Bed 1-Bath Triple Occupancy |
$1,460 per student |
Full-year |
800 sq ft |
|
Couples without Children Escondido Village Standard Studio 1-Bath |
$2,110 per apartment |
Full-year |
325 sq ft |
|
Couples without Children Escondido Village 1-Bed 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$2,766 per apartment |
Full-year |
450 sq ft |
|
Couples without Children Escondido Village 1-Bed 1-Bath Mid-Rise |
$2,766 per apartment |
Full-year |
450 sq ft |
|
Couples without Children Escondido Village 2-Bed 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$3,368 per apartment |
Full-year |
740 sq ft |
|
Students with Children Escondido Village 1-Bed 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$2,766 per apartment |
Full-year |
450 sq ft |
|
Students with Children Escondido Village 1-Bed with Den 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$3,149 per apartment |
Full-year |
700 sq ft |
|
Students with Children Escondido Village 2-Bed 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$2,915 per apartment |
Full-year |
740 sq ft |
|
Students with Children Escondido Village 3-Bed 1-Bath Low-Rise |
$3,522 per apartment |
Full-year |
875 sq ft |
|
Default Meal Plan |
$2,944 per quarter Autumn |
Academic year |
Required for most undergraduates |
Source: https://rde.stanford.edu/studenthousing/housing-options
Yes. Stanford provides on-campus housing for nearly all undergraduates and approximately 72% of graduate students. Options include residence halls, row houses, apartments, and suites. Graduate housing is available for single students, couples, and students with families in the Escondido Village complex. A dining meal plan is required for most undergraduates.
For undergraduate admissions, the Restrictive Early Action deadline is 1st November 2025 and the Regular Decision deadline is 5th January 2026. For graduate programmes, PhD applications are due 17th November 2025 and MA/MS applications are due 8th January 2026. Professional schools — Business, Law, and Medicine — have separate deadlines on their respective websites.
Yes, but it is limited. Stanford offers need-based institutional aid to international undergraduate students who declare their need at the time of applying. Students who do not request aid on their admission application will not be eligible for institutional funds at any point during their undergraduate years. There is no merit-based scholarship separate from need-based aid.
For undergraduates, full-time tuition is $22,577 per quarter — approximately $67,731 per academic year across three quarters. Adding housing ($4,934 per quarter), meal plan ($2,944 per quarter), health insurance ($2,936 per quarter), and other fees, the total annual cost of attendance is approximately $90,000 to $100,000. Stanford's financial aid programme can significantly reduce this for eligible students.