Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. In autumn 2025 it had 7,289 undergraduates and 10,025 graduate students.[1] It shares 2nd place in the QS World University Rankings 2027 with Imperial College London.[2]
Undergraduate tuition for 2026–27 is $67,731 a year, and Stanford’s student budget totals $97,545 before travel.[3] Stanford is need-blind only for US citizens, permanent residents and certain other groups; international applicants who ask for aid are assessed with that request as a factor, but admitted students are promised their demonstrated need.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | Stanford University (Leland Stanford Junior University)[5] |
| Location | Stanford, California, USA (450 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford, CA 94305)[6] |
| Type | Private research university[5] |
| Founded | 1885; first students admitted in 1891[1] |
| Students, autumn 2025 | 17,314 in total: 7,289 undergraduates and 10,025 graduate students[1] |
| International undergraduates, fall 2025 | 13 % (16 % when counted by permanent home country)[7] |
| Schools | Seven: Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability, Law, Medicine, Education and Business[5] |
| Faculty | 2,402 members[1] |
| Campus | 8,353 acres in total (the Wikipedia article gives 8,180)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Joint 2nd (with Imperial College London); 3rd in the 2026 edition[2] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026–27 | $67,731 a year ($22,577 per quarter, three quarters)[8] |
| Undergraduate student budget 2026–27 | $97,545 plus travel (tuition, housing and food, fees, books, personal expenses)[3] |
| Graduate tuition 2026–27, Graduate School of Engineering | $23,239 per quarter for 11–18 units[9] |
| Entry tests and English | SAT or ACT required; no English proficiency exam required[4] |
| Official website | stanford.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Stanford University
Stanford University was founded in 1885, and its first students were admitted in 1891.[1] Its full legal name is Leland Stanford Junior University.[5] The university has seven schools: Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability, Law, Medicine, Education and Business.[5]
In autumn 2025 Stanford counted 7,289 undergraduates and 10,025 graduate students, so graduate students make up 57 % of enrolment.[1][10] It reports 2,402 faculty members and a campus of 8,353 acres.[1] Its international graduate students come from 127 countries.[10]
How is Stanford University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Stanford shares 2nd place with Imperial College London, both on a score of 99.2. In the 2026 edition Stanford was 3rd.[2] A second published top-ten list also shows Stanford at joint 2nd, with MIT 1st, Oxford 4th, Harvard 5th and Caltech 7th.[11]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the best universities in the USA.
What can you study at Stanford University?
Stanford’s seven schools cover Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability, Law, Medicine, Education and Business.[5] Among undergraduates, 53 % have not yet declared a major, and 2,119 majors were completed in 2025.[7]
Graduate tuition varies by school, as the rates below show. Programme lists and requirements are on the departmental pages, which this profile does not summarise.
How much does Stanford University cost in 2026–27?
| Item (undergraduate, 2026–27) | Amount per year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $67,731 |
| Housing and food | $22,944 |
| Student fees allowance | $2,610 |
| Books and supplies allowance | $855 |
| Personal expenses allowance | $3,405 |
| Total (travel varies and is not included) | $97,545 |
This is the 2026–27 student budget of the Financial Aid Office, page updated 3 March 2026.[3] Student Services lists undergraduate tuition as $22,577 per quarter for 12–20 units, so $67,731 for three quarters. Summer is billed separately.[8]
Graduate tuition 2026–27 (per quarter)
| Programme | Tuition per quarter |
|---|---|
| Graduate School (master’s and doctoral), 11–18 units | $21,815 |
| Graduate School of Engineering, 11–18 units | $23,239 |
| GSB MBA, first year | $29,729 |
| Stanford Law School | $26,593 |
Three quarters of the Graduate School rate come to $65,445 and of the Engineering rate to $69,717 (our calculation). Other programmes and unit bands are listed on the rates page.[9]
Financial aid for international students
Stanford has only a limited amount of financial aid for international students. Those who need aid must say so on the admission application, awards depend on family financial circumstances, and students who do not request aid at admission cannot apply for it during their undergraduate years.[12] Stanford’s admission pages add that the request is “a factor in our admission evaluation”, that Stanford is committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all admitted students regardless of citizenship, and that it offers almost no merit scholarships.[4]
How do you apply to Stanford University as an international student?
The application requirements are the same for all applicants, and enrolment is in the autumn only; Stanford does not offer winter or spring quarter enrolment.[4]
- Tests: the ACT or SAT is required.[4]
- School records: official marks or predictions must come directly from the school and be translated into English by someone other than the applicant. There is no need to convert marks to an American GPA.[4]
- Diploma: you must hold a secondary school diploma or your country’s equivalent by the time you enrol, not at application.[4]
- Exchange and second degrees: there are no exchange programmes for undergraduates, and Stanford does not award a second bachelor’s degree.[4]
As of 24 August 2026, Stanford’s page states that it cannot file or process applications or accept fees or tuition payments from people in Iran or ordinarily living there, because of a change in a US Treasury licence.[4]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Check the current dates on admission.stanford.edu.
Does Stanford University require an English test?
No. Stanford answers “No, we do not require any English proficiency exams”, and applicants may self-report scores if they wish. The page adds that fluency in English is a prerequisite for admission.[4]
This is the policy on Stanford’s page for undergraduate applicants. The pages used for this profile do not state graduate language rules, so check the department you apply to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Stanford cost for international students?
Is Stanford need-blind for international students?
No. Stanford is need-blind for US citizens, permanent residents, undocumented students and eligible noncitizens. For other international applicants an aid request is a factor in the admission evaluation, although Stanford says it meets the demonstrated need of every admitted student.[4]
Does Stanford require TOEFL or IELTS?
No English proficiency exam is required, but fluency in English is a prerequisite and scores may be self-reported.[4]
Do I need the SAT or ACT for Stanford?
Yes. Stanford’s international applicants page says the ACT or SAT is required.[4]
How is Stanford ranked?
It shares 2nd place with Imperial College London in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 3rd in 2026.[2]
More about studying in United States (USA)
- United States (USA): best universities
- Study in United States (USA): complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United States (USA)
- California Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
Sources
[1] Stanford Facts: overview (enrolment as of autumn 2025; page without a date)
[2] Bluesky Thinking: QS World University Ranking 2027, beyond the top 10 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Stanford Financial Aid: Undergraduate student budget 2026–27 (page updated 3 Mar 2026)
[4] Stanford Undergraduate Admission: International applicants (page read 9 Nov 2026; mentions a policy as of 24 Aug 2026)
[5] Wikipedia: Stanford University (name, type and schools)
[6] Stanford University: Contact (page without a date)
[7] Stanford Facts: Undergraduate student profile (fall 2025 data; page without a date)
[8] Stanford Student Services: 2026–2027 undergraduate tuition rates (page without a date)
[9] Stanford Student Services: 2026–2027 graduate and professional tuition rates (page without a date)
[10] Stanford Facts: Graduate education (page without a date; graduate profile labelled fall 2024)
[11] Master Grad Schools: QS World University Rankings 2027 (article of 18 Jun 2026; top ten only)
[12] Stanford Financial Aid: International students (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.