Stanford University

www.stanford.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$55,473

4.95% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$20,023

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

0.558%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

5.19%

45,227 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

15,953

89.1% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

95.2%

1,597 Graduates

About

Stanford University is a higher education institution located in Santa Clara County, CA. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Stanford University were Computer Science (307 degrees awarded), Human Biology (142 degrees), and Cognitive Science (106 degrees).

In 2020, 5,193 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Stanford University. 45.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 54.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,843 degrees), 2.01 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (918 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Stanford University is $55,473, which is $26,910 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

Photo by Allie_Caulfield

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Stanford University is $55,473, which is $26,910 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,023.

In 2020, 61% of undergraduate students attending Stanford University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 7% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$55,473

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Stanford University was $55,473. The cost of tuition at Stanford University is $26,910 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

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

Average Net Price

$20,023

2020 Value

19.3%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Stanford University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,023. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Stanford University grew by 19.3%.

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

$16,433

Room and Board

$1,245

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Stanford University was of $16,433 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,245. The cost of room and board increased by 4.25% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 14.4% 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

61%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

61% of undergraduate students at Stanford University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2019, 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.

0.558%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Stanford University was 0.558%, which represents 5 out of the 896 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 45,227 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 4.78% annual decline. Out of those 45,227 applicants, 2,349 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 5.19% acceptance rate.

There were 15,953 students enrolled at Stanford University in 2020, and 72% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Stanford University has an overall enrollment yield of 68.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

5.19%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

2,349

Accepted Out of 45,227

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Stanford University was 5.19% (2,349 admissions from 45,227 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 4.34%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants declined by −4.78%, while admissions grew by 13.9%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Stanford University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

72%

Submission Percentage

1,156

Scores Submitted

72% of enrolled first-time students at Stanford University in 2020 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 has a total enrollment of 15,953 students. The full-time enrollment at Stanford University is 14,217 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,736. This means that 89.1% of students enrolled at Stanford University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Stanford University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 31% White, 19.6% Asian, 11.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.32% Two or More Races, 4.94% Black or African American, 0.47% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.176% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Stanford University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (14.3%), followed by White Female (13.8%) and Asian Female (12.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (19.1%), followed by White Female (15.1%) and Asian Male (8.32%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

89.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Stanford University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 15,953 students. The full-time enrollment at Stanford University is 14,217 and the part-time enrollment is 1,736. This means that 89.1% of students enrolled at Stanford University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.5% 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

86%

2020 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 86%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (85%), 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

White
4,947
Asian
3,123
Hispanic or Latino
1,858

The enrolled student population at Stanford University is 31% White, 19.6% Asian, 11.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.32% Two or More Races, 4.94% Black or African American, 0.47% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.176% 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 50% White, 15% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% 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, 317 students (1.99%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 437 fewer women than men received degrees from Stanford University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Stanford University is white (1,843 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (918 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Stanford University is Computer Science (307 degrees awarded), followed by Human Biology (142 degrees) and Cognitive Science (106 degrees).

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 (1,221 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (92 degrees), and Math & Statistics (237 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 (427,050 people), Other managers (368,803 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (337,460 people), Civil engineers (253,147 people), and Postsecondary teachers (201,579 people).

The most specialized majors at Stanford University are Engineering (1,221 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (92 degrees), Math & Statistics (237 degrees), Physical Sciences (241 degrees), and Legal (269 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

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 Surgeons, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Physicians, Derrick, rotary drill, & service unit operators, & roustabouts, oil, gas, & mining, and Chief executives & legislators

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 (487,900 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (436,612 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (353,465 people), Construction (269,247 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (223,753 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

Computer Science
307 degree-majorss awarded
Human Biology
142 degree-majorss awarded
Cognitive Science
106 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Stanford University was Computer Science with 307 degrees awarded.

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

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,815

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

2,378

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 2,815 degrees were awarded to men at Stanford University, which is 1.18 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,378).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 441 degrees were awarded to men at Stanford University in Computer Science, which is 2.16 times more than the 204 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 204 degrees were awarded to women at Stanford University in Computer Science, which is 0.463 times less than the 441 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

75%

100% Completion Time

94%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 75% 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.

Hispanic or Latino Female

Highest Graduation Rate (98.1%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Stanford University is Female and Hispanic or Latino (98.1% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.4%).

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, 0.0626% of graduates (1 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,843 degrees awarded
Asian
918 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
537 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Stanford University is white (1,843 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (918 degrees).

0.693% of degree recipients (36 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Male
1,014 degrees awarded
White Female
829 degrees awarded
Asian Female
500 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Stanford University is white male (1,014 degrees awarded). There were 1.22 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (829 degrees).

Operations

Stanford University has an endowment valued at nearly $28.9B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $2.71B (9.36%), compared to the 3.43% average return ($10.5M on $307M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2020, Stanford University had a total salary expenditure of $6.07B. Stanford University employs 680 Professors, 282 Lecturers, and 226 Assistant professors. Most academics at Stanford University are Male Professors (528), Female Lecturers(173), and Female Professors (152).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Stanford University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 2665 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1161 employees, and Management with 940 employees.

Endowment

$28.9B

2020 Endowment

4.51%

growth from 2019

Stanford University has an endowment valued at about $28.9B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Stanford University grew 4.51% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $28.6B 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.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$806M - Federal
$26.9M - State
$0 - Local

As of 2020, Stanford University received $806M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $26.9M from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$2.85B

2020 Salaries

12.3%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Stanford University paid a median of $2.85B in salaries, which represents 47% of their overall expenditure ($6.07B) and a 12.3% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 10.2% growth from 2018 and a 7.03% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 238M (42.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$279M

Instructional Salaries

1,469

Number of Employees

In 2020, Stanford University paid a total of $279M to 1,469 employees working as instructors, which represents 9.79% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $70.3M (29.6%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

680 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

2665 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Stanford University were Professor with 680 employees; Lecturer with 282 employees; and Lecturer with 226 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Stanford University were Business and Financial Operations with 2,665 employees; Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,161 employees; and Management with 940 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Female Lecturer
Female Professor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Stanford University was Male Professor with 528 employees, Female Lecturer with 173 employees, and Female Professor with 152 employees.

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