Stanford University

www.stanford.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$55,473

2021 Average Net Price

$14,402

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.238%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

3.95%

55,471 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

17,680

93.9% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

95.5%

1,642 Graduates

About

Stanford University is a higher education institution located in Santa Clara County, CA. In 2021, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Stanford University were Management Science (400 degrees awarded), Computer Science (332 degrees), and Electrical & Electronics Engineering (155 degrees).

In 2021, 4,821 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Stanford University. 46.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 53.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,634 degrees), 1.71 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (956 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Stanford University is $55,473, which is $26,481 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by Allie_Caulfield

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Stanford University is $55,473, which is $26,481 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,402.

In 2021, 65% of undergraduate students attending Stanford University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 4% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$55,473

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Stanford University was $55,473. The cost of tuition at Stanford University is $26,481 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Stanford University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$14,402

2021 Value

28.1%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Stanford University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,402. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Stanford University grew by 28.1%.

This chart compares the average net price of Stanford University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,650

Room and Board

$1,290

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Stanford University was of $16,650 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 1.32% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,290. The cost of books and supplies increased by 3.61% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Stanford University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

65%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

65% of undergraduate students at Stanford University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 6.56% with respect to 2020, when 61% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Stanford University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.238%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Stanford University was 0.238%, which represents 2 out of the 841 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Stanford University received 55,471 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 22.7% annual growth. Out of those 55,471 applicants, 2,190 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 3.95% acceptance rate.

There were 17,680 students enrolled at Stanford University in 2021. 15% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Stanford University has an overall enrollment yield of 80.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

3.95%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

2,190

Accepted Out of 55,471

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Stanford University was 3.95% (2,190 admissions from 55,471 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 5.19%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 22.7%, while admissions declined by −6.77%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Stanford University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

15%

Submission Percentage (2021)

271

Scores Submitted (2021)

15% of enrolled first-time students at Stanford University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Stanford University had a total enrollment of 17,680 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Stanford University is 16,605 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,075. This means that 93.9% of students enrolled at Stanford University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Stanford University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 28.9% White, 19.8% Asian, 12.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.81% Two or More Races, 5.21% Black or African American, 0.452% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.147% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Stanford University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (14.2%), followed by White Female (13.8%) and Asian Female (12.6%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (17.2%), followed by White Female (14.2%) and Asian Male (8.16%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

93.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Stanford University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 17,680 students. The full-time enrollment at Stanford University is 16,605 and the part-time enrollment is 1,075. This means that 93.9% of students enrolled at Stanford University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Stanford University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

98%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Stanford University was 98%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Stanford University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Stanford University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
5,118 enrolled students
Asian
3,498 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,169 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Stanford University is 28.9% White, 19.8% Asian, 12.3% Hispanic or Latino, 6.81% Two or More Races, 5.21% Black or African American, 0.452% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.147% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 356 students (2.01%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 343 fewer women than men received degrees from Stanford University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Stanford University is white (1,634 degrees awarded). There were 1.71 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (956 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Stanford University is Management Science (400 degrees awarded), followed by Computer Science (332 degrees) and Electrical & Electronics Engineering (155 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Stanford University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (1,121 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (243 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (74 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Stanford University are Software developers (469,169 people), Other managers (375,568 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (357,962 people), Civil engineers (266,549 people), and Postsecondary teachers (207,776 people).

The most specialized majors at Stanford University in 2021 are Engineering (1,121 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (243 degrees), Cultural & Gender Studies (74 degrees), Math & Statistics (227 degrees), and Legal (204 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Stanford University are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Media and communication workers, all other, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Stanford University are Engineering (1,121 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (243 degrees), Cultural & Gender Studies (74 degrees), Math & Statistics (227 degrees), and Legal (204 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Stanford University are Computer Systems Design (521,117 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (447,614 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (365,605 people), Construction (282,913 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (232,257 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Stanford University.

Most Common (2021)

Management Science
400 degree-majors awarded
Computer Science
332 degree-majors awarded
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
155 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common masters degree concentration at Stanford University was Management Science with 400 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from masters degree programs at Stanford University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,582

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

2,239

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 2,582 degrees were awarded to men at Stanford University, which is 1.15 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,239).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Stanford University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 436 degrees were awarded to men at Stanford University in Computer Science, which is 2.27 times more than the 192 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 194 degrees were awarded to men at Stanford University in Management Science, which is 0.855 times less than the 227 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

73%

100% Completion Time

94%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 73% of students graduating from Stanford University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 94% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 97% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Stanford University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.731% of graduates (12 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
1,634 degrees awarded
Asian
956 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
496 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Stanford University is white (1,634 degrees awarded). There were 1.71 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (956 degrees).

0.767% of degree recipients (37 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Male
903 degrees awarded
White Female
731 degrees awarded
Asian Female
498 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Stanford University is white male (903 degrees awarded). There were 1.24 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (731 degrees).

Operations

Stanford University has an endowment valued at nearly $37.8B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 11.1B (29.5%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Stanford University had a total salary expenditure of 6.2B. Stanford University employs 670 Professors, 308 Lecturers and 228 Associate professors. Most academics at Stanford University are Male Professor (518), Female Lecturer (185), and Female Professor (152).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Stanford University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 2,725 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,173 employees, and Management with 1,011 employees.

Endowment

$37.8B

2021 Endowment

30.5%

growth from 2020

Stanford University has an endowment valued at about $37.8B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Stanford University grew 30.5% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $37.4B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Stanford University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$2.85B

2021 Salaries

0.187%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Stanford University paid a median of $2.85B in salaries, which represents 45.9% of their overall expenditure ($6.2B) and a 0.187% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$288M

Instructional Salaries

1,489

Number of Employees

In 2021, Stanford University paid a total of $288M to 1,489 employees working as instructors, which represents 10.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

670 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

2,725 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Stanford University were Professor with 670 employees, Lecturer with 308 employees, and Associate professor with 228 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Stanford University were Business and Financial Operations with 2,725 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,173 employees, and Management with 1,011 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Lecturer
Female Professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Stanford University was Male Professor with 518 employees, Female Lecturer with 185 employees, and Female Professor with 152 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Stanford University.