Stanford University United States

Stanford University United States

    

Stanford University United States

Stanford University is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,061, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,180 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Stanford University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 4. Its tuition and fees are $44,757 (2014-15).

Stanford University’s pristine campus is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. Stanford offers a wide range of student organizations, including the Stanford Pre-Business Association and Stanford Solar Car Project, which designs, builds and races a solar car every two years. The Stanford Cardinals are well known for the traditional "Big Game" against Cal, an annual football competition that awards the Stanford Axe—a sought-after trophy—to the victor. Stanford also has successful programs in tennis and golf. Only freshman are required to live on campus, but students are guaranteed housing for all four years and most choose to remain on campus. Greek life at Stanford represents approximately 10 percent of the student body.

Four of Stanford University’s seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the remaining three serve as purely graduate schools. Graduate programs include the highly ranked School of Education, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine and the top-ranked Graduate School of Business. The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment oversees collaboration between environmental research, teaching and outreach. Stanford has a number of well-known theatrical and musical groups, including the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society and the Mendicants, an all-male a cappella group. Notable Stanford alumni include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, famed NFL quarterback John Elway, actress Sigourney Weaver and golfer Tiger Woods, who began his professional career at Stanford.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):
In 1885, Jane and Leland Stanford established Stanford University in memory of their son. Their intent was to establish a "University of high degree" that...

General Information

School type private, coed college
Year founded 1885
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar quarter
Setting suburban
2013 Endowment $18,688,868,000

When applying to Stanford University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 15. The application fee at Stanford University is $90. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 5.7 percent and an early acceptance rate of 11.9 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity most selective
Fall 2013 acceptance rate 5.7%
Application deadline January 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by January 15

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Stanford University is 5:1, and the school has 68.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Stanford University include: Social Sciences; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Engineering; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98.3 percent.

Class sizes
Classes with fewer
than 20 students
(68.8%)
20-49 (19.2%)
50 or more (12%)
12.0%
19.2%
68.8%
Classes with fewer than 20 students (68.8%) 68.7965260546
20-49 (19.2%) 19.2307692308
50 or more (12%) 11.9727047146
Student-faculty ratio 5:1
4-year graduation rate 76%
Five most popular majors for 2013 graduates
Social Sciences 18%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 16%
Engineering 15%
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services 8%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 6%

Student Life

Stanford University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,061, with a gender distribution of 52.8 percent male students and 47.2 percent female students. At this school, 91 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 9 percent of students live off campus. Stanford University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment 18,136
Student gender distribution
Male (52.8%)
Female (47.2%)
47.2%
52.8%
Male (52.8%) 52.8112165416
Female (47.2%) 47.1887834584
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
In fraternity (24%)
Independent (76%)
24.0%
76.0%
In fraternity (24%) 24
Independent (76%) 76
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
In sorority (28%)
Independent (72%)
28.0%
72.0%
In sorority (28%) 28
Independent (72%) 72
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

Campus Services

Stanford University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Stanford University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Stanford University, 30 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Stanford University.

Students who have cars on campus 30%
Health insurance offered Yes

Cost and Financial Aid

At Stanford University, 48.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $41,650.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

Tuition and fees $44,757 (2014-15)
Room and board $13,631 (2014-15)
Financial aid statistics
...
...
...
...
...
Applied for need-based aid (54.6%)
Need was fully met (98.4%)
Received need-based financial aid (48.9%)
Received need-based self-help aid (38.3%)
Average percent of need met (100%)
Applied for need-based aid (54.6%) 54.5845272206
Need was fully met (98.4%) 98.4149855908
Received need-based financial aid (48.9%) 48.9255014327
Received need-based self-help aid (38.3%) 38.2521489971
Average percent of need met (100%) 100