Stanford University: Ranking, Courses, Admission, Fees, Scholarships & Placements

Stanford University Highlights

In the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, Stanford University is a pillar of innovation and education. Since its founding in 1885, the university has extended the boundaries of knowledge across various fields and garnered the attention of brilliant minds from around the globe.

Stanford’s global influence is immense as the university has committed to shaping a better future through research and development. U.S. News & World Report Ranking and QS rankings put Stanford as the 3rd ranking university in both the world and the United States. With a strict acceptance rate of 3.9%, the selection criteria to be accepted is highly competitive. Stanford's influence is so significant that Indian students choose to study in the USA, especially when competing against the top students for admission. Approximately 24.1% of Stanford’s students are outside the USA. Such a vibrant community of diverse scholars, a captivating campus, and state-of-the-art facilities make Stanford the choice for countless students worldwide.

• Stanford is one of the most research-driven institutes in the world. Stanford’s present community of scholars includes 4 Pulitzer winners and 19 Nobel Prize laureates.
• The university has an excellent student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, where 70% of its classes have at most 20 students.
• More than 2/3rd of Stanford students receive financial aid in some form.
• Stanford is one of the finest institutions in the world where entrepreneurship is encouraged and nourished. Stanford alumni founded companies such as Google, Hewlett-Packard, and Wipro.
• The proximity to the famous Silicon Valley makes Stanford a strong destination for studying computer science and engineering courses.

What's New - Stanford University

• Stanford has made a formal announcement indicating that the SAT or ACT will again be a requirement for undergraduate admissions beginning in fall 2025 for the class of 2030 students.
• Undergraduate Admissions: For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Regular Decision application deadline is January 5, 2025.
• Graduate Admissions: Application deadlines for graduate programs vary by department. For instance, the MBA Round II application deadline is January 8, 2025, and Round III is April 8, 2025.
  

Stanford University Rankings

National Rankings: Stanford University consistently ranks among the top 3 universities in the United States, often sharing the top spots with Harvard and MIT in rankings like U.S. News & World Report.

• U.S. News & World Report: Stanford University is ranked 3rd in the United States, tied with Harvard University. This ranking reflects its excellence in academics, research, and student outcomes.
• Forbes: Stanford is ranked 2nd nationally, based on factors like student satisfaction, academic quality, graduation rate, and alumni earnings.
• Times Higher Education: Stanford is ranked 2nd in the U.S., highlighting its strong academic reputation, research excellence, and high student engagement.

World Rankings: Globally, Stanford is frequently ranked within the top 5 universities worldwide by QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE), renowned for its academic excellence and innovation.

• QS World University Rankings: Stanford University is ranked #3 globally, recognized for its academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings: Stanford is ranked 3rd in the world, known for its outstanding research output, teaching quality, and international outlook.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities: Stanford is ranked 2nd globally, known for its leadership in science, technology, and engineering, as well as its world-class faculty.

Subject-specific rankings:

• For computer science, Stanford University rankings 2nd globally in the QS world rankings 2024.
• For Engineering, Ranked 1st globally by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
• For Economics, Ranked 3rd globally by QS World University Rankings 2024.
• For Psychology, Ranked 4th globally by QS World University Rankings 2024.

To know more about other universities in the USA, click here.

Stanford University Admission

Undergraduate Admission Requirements for Stanford University

Indian or International students can complete the Stanford University admission process through the university portal. To get accepted into Stanford University, the applicants must produce the university's required documents and pay the required application fee. The entry requirements for undergraduate courses at Stanford are:

Application Portal: Common Application
Application Fees:$90 (₹7,641)

Admission requirements.

• High School transcripts are required in the application process.
• Students need to take standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT.
• International students from countries where English is not the official language need to demonstrate their ability to use the English language through proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo test.
• Applicants need to have 2 Letters of Recommendation from teachers or school counselors.
• Furthermore, applicants must complete essay-type questions and go through an interview to complete the application process.
• Interview

Graduate Admission Requirements for Stanford University

The application process and entry requirements to be considered for admission at Stanford University for graduate courses are as follows:

Application Portal:Stanford Graduate Application
Application Fees:$125 (₹10,612)

• 4-year bachelor's degree or 3 year’s bachelors+ 2 years master’s degree. GRE - 161 (Quant) & 162 (Verbal) andGMAT- 650+.
• Aspiring students should take standardized tests such as GRE and GMAT (for MBA courses).
• GPA required: 3.5 GPA (90%)
• Proficiency in English should be demonstrated through tests such as IELTS and TOEFL.
• Applicants are required to write a Statement of Purpose (SoP) that reflects the intangible factors of the aspirant.
• Other entry requirements are 2-3 Letters of Recommendation, essay questions, and participating in an interview.
• Aspirants should also provide a CV or resume with all the relevant skills and accomplishments.

Stanford University Courses

Stanford offers various highly prestigious programs across multiple disciplines and levels. Stanford University offers more than 140+ courses for graduates and undergraduates. Some popular Stanford University courses among international students include engineering, business management, medicine, and cyber security.Some of the most popular courses opted by students are mentioned below:

Stanford University Intakes

Stanford University primarily has one main intake per year in September for the Fall semester. This applies to most undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Applications typically open in the previous year, with deadlines ranging from November to January.

Stanford University Acceptance Rate

Stanford University is one of the most selective universities in the United States. The Stanford acceptance rate for admissions is approximately 3.7%, making it one of the hardest universities to get into in the United States. The university’s highly selective process considers academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership qualities, and personal essays. This acceptance rate of Standford University indicates its strict admission process and competitiveness.

Here is the acceptance rate trend of Standford University over the past 5 years. From the below data, we can clearly understand that the acceptance rate is wavering between 3.6 - 3.9%. Whereas for the year 2025, the acceptance rate is expected to be around 5%. This acceptance rate of Standford University indicates that the university is very selective at the time of admission.

Stanford University Average GPA, SAT/ACT Scores

To secure admission at Stanford University, students must appear for one of the standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for postgraduate courses and secure a minimum score as mentioned below. The SAT or ACTs are considered for undergraduate courses and the RE/GMAT is for general business school admissions and general graduate school admissions. There are no minimum score requirements mentioned for the ACT officially. It is good to score higher grades to increase the chances of admission to Stanford University.

Tips to get selected at Stanford University

Securing admission to Stanford University is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 3.9%. To enhance your chances, consider the following strategies:

• Demonstrate Academic Excellence: Maintain a high GPA, ideally between 3.9 and 4.0, to meet Stanford's rigorous academic standards. Achieve strong scores on standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. While these are optional, a competitive score can strengthen your application.
• Craft Compelling Application Essays: Write authentic and reflective essays that showcase your personality, experiences, and aspirations. Align your narratives with Stanford's values of innovation, leadership, and community involvement.
• Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation: Choose recommenders who know you well and can provide detailed, enthusiastic endorsements. Provide them with context about your achievements and goals to help them write personalized letters.
• Prepare for the Interview: If offered an interview, approach it as an opportunity to further showcase your fit for Stanford. Be prepared to discuss your experiences, motivations, and how you align with the university's mission.

Stanford University Accommodation

To facilitate the admitted students, Stanford has significantly invested in creating on-campus housing that provides the students with a sense of community and camaraderie.
Accepted students are assigned one of the eight neighborhoods as part of the Stanford experience. Each of these neighborhoods has a culmination of different housing set-ups, such as traditional dorms, Rowhouses, co-ops, and so on.

The university also offers a variety of flexible housing options to students who have partners and/or children with them. These housing options are not limited to on-campus accommodation, as the university also helps students find suitable off-campus housing alternatives.

Stanford University Course Fee/ Cost

Standard university fees a consolidated costs of tuition fees, hostel fees, transportation health insurance, and other fees. Among all these Stanford University fees, there are a few costs that need to be paid one time, and the other are paid each semester. The Stanford University cost for undergraduates ranges somewhere between INR 52-54L and for postgraduates, it ranges between 32L - 1Cr. Check out the detailed Stanford University costbelow.

The fee required to study at Stanford University is as follows:

• Stanford undergraduate courses have an average tuition fee of $58,416 or 48.24 Lakh INR.
• Stanford graduate courses have an average tuition fee of $ 58,746 or 48.52 Lakh INR.
• Engineering courses at Stanford cost about $62,580 or 51.68 Lakh INR.
• It is important to note that the cost of courses at Stanford fluctuates depending on the course type and the number of units in the course.

Stanford University course course-wise fee structure

Stanford University MBA Fees

Other PG fee details 2025

M.A. fee details 2025

Stanford University Living Expenses

To study in the USA, Indian students must be financially equipped, and it is essential for students studying at Stanford to understand their living expenses to manage them effectively. The approximate cost of living (per quarter) that a student can expect while studying at Stanford is as follows:

Stanford University Scholarships

To relieve students' financial burden, Stanford offers prospective students financial aid. Some popular scholarships that Stanford offers are:

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship: This scholarship is for Indian students who wish to apply to Stanford’s MBA program at the Graduate School of Business. This financial aid covers tuition and associated fees for two years while providing a stipend for living expenses.

Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: This program provides full financial coverage for graduate study at Stanford University to outstanding scholars. The program covers stipend, tuition, and other expenses while pursuing a wide array of master’s or doctoral degrees.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program: This financial aid program supports Indian students during their master’s degree at Stanford. Every Indian student is eligible for this scholarship, given that they are successful in their admission. Students can get financial aid up to $50,000 from this scholarship program.

TOEFL Scholarship Programs: Under this scholarship program, the governing body of the exam offers financial aid to students from countries such as India, Japan, and China. The selection criteria are based on the TOEFL score one receives. Applicants securing 80% and above in the TOEFL exam are eligible for this program and can enjoy financial awards ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Stanford Scholarship for Indian students

e Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship supports Indian MBA students. Organizations like Inlaks Shivdasani also offer scholarships for various fields. Indian students successfully secure external funding like Fulbright, JN Tata, and Aga Khan scholarships.

To know about the USA study visa requirements, click here.

Stanford University Placements

Stanford graduates are some of the highest-paid individuals across the globe. Furthermore, more than 90% of Stanford graduates find employment within 4 months after graduating. Stanford is a top destination for recruiters from successful companies such as American Express, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, et cetera.

The starting package of Stanford graduates is higher than the national average and depends on the course chosen by the student. The average salary of a Stanford graduate is $112,000 per annum (91.93 lakhs INR).

FAQs About Stanford University

1. What GPA do you need to get into Stanford University?
Stanford does not have a strict GPA cutoff but admitted students typically have GPAs close to 4.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2. What are the application deadlines for Stanford University?
The early Action deadline is usually November 1, and the Regular Decision is January 2.

3. Does Stanford University offer financial aid?
Yes, Stanford provides need-based financial aid, and many students receive grants covering full tuition.

4. What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Stanford?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Stanford is approximately 5:1, ensuring personalized attention.

5. Does Stanford offer housing for all students?
Yes, Stanford guarantees on-campus housing for undergraduates and many graduate students.