Stanford University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Stanford University is a private institution located in Stanford, California and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Stanford University admits fewer than 10% of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 4%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1553 and an ACT composite around 35. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,807 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Stanford University?

Successful applicants to Stanford University typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.

What does Stanford University weight in admissions?

Stanford University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Stanford University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 770–800, with an EBRW midpoint near 745. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 34–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Stanford University actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,910 for in-state students and $65,910 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $21,315 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,807 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Stanford University

Will my child graduate from Stanford University?

These predict outcomes at Stanford University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Stanford University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Stanford University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Human Biology and Economics. Across all programs, Stanford University confers roughly 887 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer Science program report a median income of about $247,797 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Stanford University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Stanford University disclosed 288 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 38.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 28 violent offenses and 47 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Stanford University?

About 93% of undergraduates at Stanford University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 22% of men join a fraternity and 28% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in California parents ask about

• University of California-Berkeley
  11% acceptance
• University of California-Los Angeles
  9% acceptance
• University of Southern California
  10% acceptance
• University of California-Davis
  42% acceptance
• University of California-Irvine
  29% acceptance
• University of California-San Diego
  27% acceptance
• University of California-Santa Barbara
  33% acceptance
• University of California-Santa Cruz
  66% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Stanford University