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Stanford University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Stanford, CA🏛️ Private university📝 Test-optional

Located in Stanford, California, this private university enrolls 18,283 students and maintains an acceptance rate of 3.6%. Computer Science and Engineering are dominant fields, together accounting for 36% of degrees awarded. Graduates earn a median of $124,080 ten years after entry, and the institution reports a 92% six-year graduation rate with a 98% first-year retention rate.

Acceptance rate
3.6%
Enrollment
18,283
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
92%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1510 – 1580
ACT (composite)
34 – 35
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$0
family income
$30–48k
$0
family income
$48–75k
$3,212
family income
$75–110k
$11,092
family income
$110k+
$53,882
family income
19% receive Pell grants
6% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Stanford University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Computer Science
18.7%
Engineering
16.7%
Multi/Interdisciplinary
15.7%
Social Sciences
15.7%
Mathematics
4.9%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$124,080
Earnings (6 yr)
$102,887
Completion
92%
Retention
98%
Median debt
$12,000

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Stanford University?

Stanford University has an acceptance rate of 3.6%, making it highly selective.

What SAT score do you need for Stanford University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT. The ACT range is 34–35.

How much does Stanford University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is fully covered (aid exceeds cost) per year, rising to $53,882 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Stanford University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.