DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · STANFORD, CA · PRIVATE

Stanford University

Stanford University
3.9%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
58
FIT
REACH
Stanford University is a reach for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
3.9%
of 53,733 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$124,080
across all majors
01

Stanford University at a Glance

20,955
Total Enrollment
$12,000
Median Debt
19.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Stanford University

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading740780760
SAT Math770800785
SAT Total151015801545
ACT Composite343534

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received53,733
Students Admitted2,099
Students Enrolled1,699
Yield Rate80.9%

Stanford University Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #4 2025
QS World University Rankings #2 2025
THE World University Rankings #2 2025
ARWU (Shanghai) #2 2024
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#4 #5 #5 #7 #6 #6 #6 #3 #3 #4

US News National Universities: #4 (2016) → #4 (2025) — unchanged

Stanford University Overview

Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA with 20,955 students. With a 3.9% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Computer Science, Social Sciences, and Engineering.

Full NameStanford University
LocationStanford, CA 94305
TypePrivate
Websitestanford.edu/
Total Enrollment20,955
Undergrad Enrollment9,383
Female Students50.7%

Is Stanford University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 3.9%, Stanford University is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your ProfileStanford University Is...What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application Match Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths Reach Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA Hard Reach Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

Popular Majors at Stanford University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Computer Science
17.7%
Social Sciences
16.5%
Engineering
15.6%
Multidisciplinary
15.3%
Mathematics/Statistics
5.8%
Best Majors at Stanford University →

Student Demographics

White
23.2%
Black/African American
8.0%
Hispanic/Latino
17.6%
Asian
23.1%
International
12.5%

How to Get Into Stanford University

Stanford is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1545+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, Stanford wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1545
Target SAT Score
34
Target ACT Score
3.9%
Acceptance Rate
53,733
Total Applicants

What Stanford University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Important
Extracurricular Activities Very Important
Talent Ability Very Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Stanford University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Stanford University REA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionJan 2
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Feb 15
REA: Stanford University uses REA (Restrictive Early Action). You can apply early without a binding commitment, but you cannot apply early to other private schools.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stanford University

What is Stanford's acceptance rate?
Stanford has an acceptance rate of 3.9%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Stanford?
The middle 50% SAT range at Stanford is 1510-1580. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 34-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Stanford?
The most popular majors at Stanford by degrees awarded are: Computer Science (17.7%), Social Sciences (16.5%), Engineering (15.6%), Multidisciplinary (15.3%), Mathematics/Statistics (5.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to Stanford?
Stanford accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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More About Stanford University

Stanford University Acceptance Rate Stanford University Tuition & Cost Transfer to Stanford University Stanford University Salary & ROI Stanford University AP Credit Best Majors at Stanford University Stanford University Housing International at Stanford University

Other Colleges in CA

Caltech
3.1% accept · Pasadena
Pomona College
6.8% accept · Claremont
UCLA
9.0% accept · Los Angeles
USC
10.0% accept · Los Angeles
Claremont McKenna College
11.1% accept · Claremont
UC Berkeley
11.7% accept · Berkeley

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Stanford University is not affiliated with DeepColleges.