Stanford University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 10/2026)

Total Cost of Attendance

Stanford is known for consistently ranking as one of the top 10 universities in the country. Stanford University tuition and fees, at $70,341 for the 2026-2027 school year, are higher than the average for four-year private nonprofit institutions in the U.S. of $45,000 per year.

Financial Aid

To help with Stanford tuition, about two-thirds of students receive financial aid of some kind, whether it’s student loans, grants, or scholarships. Stanford is “need-blind” for all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students, regardless of where they attended high school. This means that your financial need will not be a deciding factor on your application.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs, such as tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: A federal loan is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities in databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – This site allows you to search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

While some Stanford students opt for federal student loans (12%), others (4%) take out private student loans. The average private loan amount is $56,032.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, while you don’t have to start paying back federal student loans until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as federal loans generally have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans could potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

How much will Stanford tuition plus room and board and other expenses run you for a four-year degree? Based on 2026-27 numbers, the full cost would be $390,180. In comparison, the average cost for a private university was $65,470 a year in 2025, totaling $261,880 for four years, according to CollegeData.com.

Here’s some California Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Covering Stanford University costs is more than just tuition, which is $70,341. You also have to factor in room and board, which runs $22,944, books and supplies for $855, and other expenses totaling $3,405, making your COA (or cost of attendance) $97,545 a year.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition for graduate school at Stanford is $65,445, and there is an additional $10,275 in fees (excluding one-time fees totaling $775), making a total of $76,495 to attend graduate school per year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For students who wish to attend summer sessions, the cost per unit is $1,505 (for fewer than 12). Graduate students may petition for part-time enrollment (seven-unit maximum) for $1,418 per unit. These figures do not include fees. A private student loans guide could help you plan for how you’ll finance your education.

Campus Housing Expenses

Stanford has 10 residence halls, as well as apartments, suites, and row houses for undergraduates. All first-year students are required to live on campus.

For other students, there is subsidized off-campus housing available near the campus, though be aware that these may require 12-month leases. Students living off campus should expect living expenses to be 10%-40% higher, depending on their living situation. Check out this resource to learn more about off-campus housing.

Stanford Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

Now that you know the Stanford University acceptance rate, it’s important to understand the admissions requirements. Stanford University has certain requirements for first-year applicants, as well as some recommended precollegiate actions.

Required:

•  Common Application

•  $100 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver request

•  ACT or SAT test scores

•  School report

•  Counselor letter of recommendation

•  Official transcript(s) or academic results

•  Midyear transcript (by February 15)

•  Letters of recommendation from two teachers

Recommended:

•  Rigorous high school curriculum

•  Completion of college-preparatory program

The deadline for a standard application is January 5, with a decision given by early April. Learn more about the application process here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Although Stanford waived the requirement for SAT or ACT scores for the 2024-25 school year, it has since reinstated this application requirement.

Here are the scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentiles for those admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Popular Majors at Stanford

Stanford offers 66 areas of study to choose from. Here are some of the most popular.

1. Computer Science

The computer science program looks at theories and systems, and you can choose one of the following tracks of study:

•  Artificial Intelligence

•  Biocomputation

•  Computer Engineering

•  Graphics

•  Human-Computer Interaction

•  Information

•  Systems

•  Theory

•  Unspecialized

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 446

2. Engineering

Stanford has several programs in engineering, including:

•  Applied Physics

•  Bioengineering

•  Biomechanical Engineering

•  Chemical Engineering

•  Civil and Environmental Engineering

•  Electrical Engineering

•  Energy Science and Engineering

•  Engineering Physics

•  Environmental Systems Engineering

•  Management Science and Engineering

•  Materials Science Engineering

•  Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 383

3. Human Biology

This area of study looks at human beings from biological, behavioral, social, and cultural perspectives.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 141

4. Cognitive Science

This area of study investigates language, meaning, mental representation, perception, learning, memory, decision-making, and reasoning.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 113

5. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics

Economics students learn about modern society and contemporary economic problems and learn to evaluate public policy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 112

6. Mathematics

Upon graduating with a degree in mathematics, students will understand logical reasoning, generalization, abstraction, and formal proof.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 82

7. International Relations

This interdisciplinary major studies the international politics of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, Amnesty International, and other NGOs.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 79

8. Biology

Along with receiving a robust education in biology, students have the option to take courses on marine animals, ecology, biological preserves, and ocean conservation.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 71

9. Research and Experimental Psychology

Stanford’s Psychology program looks at theories and empirical studies of human behavior.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 71

10. Political Science

Students of political science will dive into the American political system, as well as others around the world, and examine conflicts, social movements, and diversity.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 69

Learn more about everything you can major in at Stanford here .

Graduation Rate

The graduation rate at Stanford is fairly high. Here is the graduation rate of students who began their studies in 2019:

•  6 years: 92%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Stanford graduates can expect to earn, on average, well above the overall average for four-year school graduates, at $102,887 after six years. The median for all schools is $80,236.