Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Stanford University is a private national university located in Stanford, California. Stanford University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Stanford University is in the top 5% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $97,798 10 years after enrolling, 5th in California, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Stanford University bachelor students earn 34% more than the national average. Stanford University is ranked 1st in California.
Stanford University’s median net annual cost of $12,894 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Stanford University sorted by number of graduates - Computer Science, Human Biology., Engineering, Other, Economics, Engineering Fields, Cognitive Science - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$12,894
Average years to graduate
4.5
Applied Mathematics
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.55
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #7
Economic score: 0.67
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.72
Science, Tech, & Society
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.92
Electrical Engineering
Rank: #22
Economic score: 0.96
International Relations
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.96
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #162
Economic score: 4.18
Biology
Rank: #170
Economic score: 4.52
History
Rank: #223
Economic score: 7.83
Ethnic/Gender studies
Rank: #45
Economic score: 10.26
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Stanford University - Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Fields, Aerospace Engineering - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Area Studies
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.33
Education
Rank: #45
Economic score: 0.38
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #7
Economic score: 0.4
Genetics
Rank: #3
Economic score: 1.1
The average student at Stanford University takes 4.5 years to graduate, with 96% graduating within 8 years. The graduation rate at Stanford University is 29% more than the state average and 29% more than the average for all national universities in the country.
At Stanford University, Pell Grant recipients represent 19% of the measured graduating class, 16% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Stanford University graduates within 4.7 years.
Stanford University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Stanford University’s economic mobility score of 18.91 is calculated by adjusting the 0.05 economic score of lower-income students by the 19% pell grant recipients within the student body. Stanford University’s EMS of 18.91 ranks in the top 50% nationally.
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Stanford University pays $12,894 a year, $65,324 less than the $78,218 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $12,894
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Stanford University, 61% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $12,894 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 5% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $8,868. This is 49% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,151
Pell grants
$4,783
State grants
$8,815
Institutional grants
$54,057
Stanford University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 4% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 55,471 applicants, of which 2,190 were admitted and 1,757 enrolled. Stanford University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
49%
59%
First time
98%
59%
In-state
33%
68%
1st generation
30%
35%
White
29%
52%
Black
7%
14%
Hispanic
17%
15%
Asian
25%
5%
American Indian
1%
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
20%
12%