Stanford University
What Stanford University's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.
See your odds at Stanford University →All 1 insights at Stanford University PRO
MoneyStanford University
Stanford University meets 100% of need.
The average need-based grant is $72,166 a year, against tuition of $67,731.
Average grant$72k
Tuition$68k
Source: Stanford University's Common Data Set 2025-26
3 more things the data says PRO
- It reports meeting 100% of financial need for first-years who have need.
- 573 students stayed on the waitlist and 57 were admitted from it (9.9%).
- Applications rose 28% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (47,452 to 60,646).
What students say PRO
From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.
- Of admits who named a round, 20 of 36 applied early (mostly Restrictive Early Action) and 16 applied Regular Decision, so both worked.
- Most admits had a clear spike with research or published work, such as first-author papers, conference talks, university lab roles or competition results.
- Most admits led something, as founder or president of a nonprofit, club or team, student body president, debate or robotics captain.
- Computer science and engineering admits paired near-perfect scores with building things, such as apps, startups, hackathons, robotics and ML research.
- Some admits carried heavy family or work duties, such as caregiving for siblings or parents, a family farm or business, or construction and retail jobs.
- Students report Stanford is extremely selective, with about 3.6 percent admitted in 2024 and many strong applicants rejected.
- Students report alumni interviews depend on interviewer availability, carry little weight and do not disadvantage anyone who is not offered one.
- Students report the waitlist is tiny and rarely used, with only 25 admitted in 2024, and offers coming as late as June.
- Students report Stanford defers few early applicants, so a deferral means serious consideration, and rejection letters say there is no appeal.
- Students report Stanford gives no merit aid and meets full need, but is need-aware for international applicants, who may get no aid.
Every number, year by year: Stanford University on Open College Data. Something wrong? Suggest a correction.