Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford USA. Established in 1885, Stanford comprises seven academic schools and 18 interdisciplinary schools. International students choose Stanford majorly for graduate-level courses. There are 200+ graduate courses in 90+ subject areas for you to choose from. If we talk about popular programs, Stanford MBA is one of the best in the world. The student enrollments indicate the popularity of engineering courses. In recent academic year, around 40% incoming graduate students enrolled in engineering courses. The Stanford University acceptance rate of engineering programs is 5.03%. 
Explore Stanford engineering programs!!!

Stanford University fees for Indian students is between 41-60 lakh INR per annum, depending on the program. In comparison, the cost of studying at Stanford is high in comparison to other top US universities like MIT, Harvard, and UCLA. Despite this, currently, Stanford student university comprises 12% international student population representing 72 countries. The university has two main intakes- Fall intake and Spring intake. Admissions at Stanford University have started for the 2023 academic session. 

What distinguishes Stanford from others is its entrepreneurial culture. Stanford’s core learning experiences include encouraging students to map their ideas to reality. Companies like Linkedin, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems are all founded by Stanford alumni. Some of the popular Indian Stanford alumni are Parag Agrawal (new Twitter CEO), Mukesh Ambani (Businessman), and Azim Premji (Wipro Chairman).

Stanford University highlights

Why Choose Stanford University?

Pros

  • Access to Subject Scholars: Stanford students get a chance to meet and learn from the scholars of their field, majority of them being Stanford alumni themselves. Many times students even get a chance of one-to-one sessions with Nobel Laureates. 
  • Campus: Located in San Francisco, the Stanford University campus is in the heart of North Carolina’s “Silicon Valley” which is home to firms like Yahoo! and Google. The campus itself is like a city, with its own hospital, cafes, theatres, and even a post office. 
  • Work while Studying: Students on F-1 Visa can explore jobs on-campus with various libraries, administration departments, cafes, as teaching assistants, etc. The weekly stipend for these part-time jobs will cover atleast 60% of the living expenses.
  • Placements: Companies like Linkedin, Hewlett-Packard, and Sun Microsystems are all founded by Stanford alumni. 96% of Stanford graduates received placement offers within 3 months of course completion. With a mean base salary of USD 162K.

Cons

  • Low Acceptance Rate: Admission to Stanford is highly competitive as the institution receives an average of 10,000 applications for each of its programs. Last year, Stanford University acceptance rate was a mere 3.96%. Over the years, the university’s selection criteria has become stringent.
  • Limited International Scholarships: 90% of scholarships at Stanford are need-based programs that are primarily awarded on the basis of the family’s annual income. Though international students are eligible to apply for these programs, a maximum of 25% of international students receive assistance. For international master’s students, the best funding option is to apply for research assistant and teaching assistant positions.
 

Stanford University Rankings  

Stanford University’s ranking has dropped from its position as the #2 ranked university in the world from 2017 to 2021, to now being ranked #3 in 2022-2023. Though Stanford is not an ‘ivy league in USA’, its rankings are better than the majority of them.

Ranking Agency Ranking 2023
QS World University Rankings #3
Best Global Universities US News #3
World University Rankings THE #3
National Universities US News #3

Stanford University Ranking Comparison

The subject-specific ranking comparison of some of the top universities in California according to U.S. News and World Report, 2023 are as follows:

Subject Stanford University California Institute of Technology University of California Los Angeles University of California Berkeley
Chemistry #1 #2 #28 #2
Computer Science #2 #11 #46 #6
Physics #2 #2 #32 #4
Mathematics #2 #7 #13 #6

Read in detail:

Stanford University Courses

Stanford has 7 academic schools offering a diverse range of academic programs at various levels. A total of 550 programs are offered annually in Stanford’s Continuing Studies open to students globally and offered through a hybrid learning model consisting of on-campus and online. One of the most popular features includes the free-of-cost online programs by Stanford, with about 160 different classes being available to anyone and anywhere in the world.

Stanford Undergraduate Programs

Stanford undergraduate programs are offered as Bachelor of Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in 69 major fields. As per the 2021 statistics, top bachelor courses at Stanford are Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Human Biology, and Management Science and Engineering. 

Stanford University Undegraduate Student Enrollment

Stanford Graduate Programs

International students can choose from 14 types of distinct post-baccalaureate degrees in about 200 graduate programs of Stanford across its schools. Around 34% of the graduate students population is international, mainly representing countries like China, India, Canada, South Korea, and Brazil. 

Stanford University Graduate Student Enrollment

Stanford University Cost

The average cost of studying bachelor courses at Stanford University is around 82,000 USD (~63.5 lakhs INR). The cost of pursuing the graduate courses is variable based on the program type and ranges around 36,000-67,000 USD. The Stanford University fees for Indian students is mentioned, for popular programs, in the table below:

Cost of Living

The cost of living while pursuing degree courses at Stanford University is tabulated below:

Expenses Cost in INR
Room and Board 14.39 lakhs
Student Fee Allowance 1.65 lakhs
Books and Supplies Allowance 1.04 lakhs
Personal Expenses Allowance 1.82 lakhs
Travel 1.33 lakhs

Also Check: Cost of Studying in USA

Stanford University Application Process

Admission process at Stanford University for international students is similar to that of domestic students, with a few additional requirements. Mentioned below are the basic requirement for admission at Stanford University: 

Stanford University UG Admission

Category Admission Requirements
Application Form Common Application
Application Fee 90 USD (~6,775 INR)
Academic Score 3.2 GPA
TOEFL Score 100+
Admission Requirement QnA (50 words each) | 3 Essays (100-250 words) | 2 LORs from teachers, Counsellor recommendation | Interview (Optional) 
Standardized Testing SAT: 1505 (average) | ACT: 34 (average)

Stanford University PG Admission

Category Admission Requirements
Application Form Stanford Application (varies for courses)
Application Fee 125 USD (~9,410 INR)
Academic Score 3.5 GPA
TOEFL Score School of Engineering: 89 | Humanities, Social Sciences, Education: 100
Admission Requirement 2 Essay questions (500 words) | 3 Letters of Recommendation | Resume | Interview (By interview)
Standardized Testing GRE: 161 (Quant) & 162 (Verbal) | GMAT: 650+

Stanford University Scholarships

Like other USA universities, Stanford University primarily offers only need-based financial assistance. Nearly 5,000 students receive some form of financial aid at Stanford both internally and externally. But, these scholarships are very limited in number for you as an international student. Furthermore, if you are seeking financial assistance from Stanford, you must indicate the same at the time of you admission application process. 

Around 66% of students received financial aid to cut down the total cost of attendance. 47% of the candidates are awarded need-based scholarships and grants with hardly 18% of the students graduating with debts. To be eligible for scholarship funds, international students must possess either an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a Social Security number (SSN). International candidates are not eligible for student loans or federal aid from U.S. government agencies. However, they can avail fellowships and assistantships which may come with work restrictions. Some of the Stanford University scholarships are as mentioned below.

Scholarship Amount in USD
AMA Medical School Scholarships 10,000
African Service Fellowship 5,000
CAMS Scholarship Program 5,000

Work-Study at Stanford 

Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs pay your wages using federal funding, as opposed to ordinary jobs where your wages are paid by your employer. If FWS is not included in your financial assistance package, you may request that your eligibility be examined at federalworkstudy@lists.stanford.ed. Only a limited number of graduate students may be eligible for federal work-study assistantships.

Stanford University Campus

Stanford University campus is located in the center of the San Francisco Peninsula. Stanford  University campus is structured with 700 buildings, 150 companies located in the 700-acre Stanford Research Park, 140 retail stores in the Stanford Shopping Center, and more.

  • The campus features 49 miles of roads, three dams, and over 43,000 trees, and 800 different species of plants.
  • Some of the campus traditions include its Battle of Bay (football game), Cardinal Nights, The Wacky Walk, and Fountain Hopping.
  • There are more than 13,000 bikes, 67 buses, and 41 electric buses in a 23-route system on campus for commuters.
  • The university campus is one of the largest single-campus colleges in the United States housing 7 schools and 18 research institutes.
Stanford University Campus

Source@ https://facts.stanford.edu/

Stanford University Student Accommodation

Accommodation at Stanford University is varied and offers a range of options for students, from traditional dormitory-style housing to apartments, houses, and co-ops. Here are some of the most common student accommodation options available at Stanford University:

Stanford On-Campus Housing

With more than 11,000 students living in on-campus housing, there are 81 student residences at Stanford. More than 97% of eligible undergraduates and 66% of eligible graduate students live in university-provided housing. Living options include housing for single students, couples (with or without children), and more.

Housing Rent per month (USD) Rent per month (INR)
Stanford GSB Residence 2,110- 3,220 1.73 lakhs to 2.64 lakhs
Escondido Village 1,261- 3,616 1.03 lakhs to 2.96 lakhs
Munger Graduate Residences 2,017- 3,351 1.65 lakhs to 2.74 lakhs
Lyman Graduate Residences 1,445 1.18 lakhs
Liliore Green Rains Housing 1,445 1.18 lakhs

Stanford Off-Campus Housing

Students can also choose to live off-campus in apartments, houses, or condos near Stanford's campus. The university provides resources to help students find off-campus housing, including a database of available properties and assistance with lease negotiations. Mentioned below is the rent of off-campus accommodation available for international students around Stanford University:

Residence Type Rent in USD/Month Rent in INR/Month
Studio apartment 1,980- 2,595 1.62 lakhs- 2.12 lakhs
1 bedroom apartment 2,600- 3,030 2.13 lakhs- 2.48 lakhs
2 bedroom apartment 3,200- 3,795 2.62 lakhs- 3.11 lakhs
3 bedroom apartment 4,250- 4,770 3.48 lakhs- 3.91 lakhs
3 bedroom house 4,600- 5,340 3.77 lakhs- 4.38 lakhs
4 bedroom house 5,200- 7,160 4.26 lakhs- 5.87 lakhs

Also Check: Student Accommodation in USA 

Stanford University Placements

Stanford University offers an array of career support to students. Recruiting agencies and companies run recruitment exercises on the university to give recent graduates a leap in their careers. Mentioned below are the timings of jobs offered to Stanford Graduates: 

Stanford University Placement

The best-paying degree at the university is bachelors with an average annual salary of 249,000 USD. The highest-paying professions of Stanford graduates and their average annual salaries are showcased below:

Stanford University Salary

Source@https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/

Stanford University Alumni Network

Stanford Alumni Association has over 220,000 Stanford alumni across 150 countries around the world. Its Alma mater consists of 30 living billionaires and 17 astronauts. The university ranks #1 for having 122 Rhode Scholars, 94 Marshall Award Winners, and 65 Truman Scholars

Stanford University Notable Alumni 

Alumni Name Profession Achievement
Sundar Pichai CEO of Alphabet Lead the development of Google Chrome and Android OS
Mukesh Ambani Chairman of Reliance Industries One of the richest people in the world and a pioneer of India's private sector
Reed Hastings Co-founder of Netflix Revolutionized the entertainment industry with Netflix's streaming platform
Azim Premji Founder of Wipro Philanthropist and advocate for education reform in India
Parag Agarwal Formet CEO of Twitter Led the development of Twitter's advertising platform
Rishi Sunak Prime Minister of UK One of the youngest to hold the office and oversaw UK's economic response to COVID-19

Stanford has over 7,700 externally sponsored projects with a total budget of 1.93 billion USD for its various research programs. The institute excels in all aspects from ranking in an outstanding position, to offering huge research endowment and creating professional leaders for decades.

Stanford University FAQs

Ques. Is Stanford University a top-ranked institution?

Ans. Yes, Stanford University is one of the highest ranked universities in the world. The university is ranked at #3 in QS Global Rankings, 2023. The university is ranked at #2 in US College Rankings by Times Higher Education, 2022. A majority of the courses offered by Stanford University are ranked among the top in the world.

Ques. Is Stanford better than Harvard?

Ans. Harvard and Stanford are good in their own rights. Although the universities display minute differences in terms of rankings by different agencies, it is tough to compare the universities academically. Compared to Harvard,Stanford is a modern, dynamic institution, located at the heart of Silicon Valley. The university’s entrepreneurial culture what distingues it from others.

Ques. What is Stanford University best knwon for?

Ans. Stanford is popular among international students for its technology and business disciplines among others. Some of the top programs at the university include Computer Science, Data Science, Aeronautics, MBA, MFin and others. For incoming students, Stanford University offers more than 550 programs across 7 schools

Ques. Can international students at Stanford University stay on campus?

Ans. Yes, international students can live in the 81 student residences at Stanford University. Currently over 11,000 students pursue education at Stanford while staying on campus. Students can also live off-campus at their convenience at a cost of 62k to 2.33 lakhs per month. Single rooms, double rooms, and more occupancy rooms are available at the Stanford University campus. However, students cannot choose their own roomates.

Ques. Who gets accepted to Stanford?

Ans. Stanford University requires its students to be at the top of their class. Students need a minimum GPA of 3.9 (94%) on a 4.0 scale for admission to the university. Other admission requirements include SOP, LOR, essay, a TOEFL score of 100+.

Ques. What is the acceptance rate of Stanford University?

Ans. With an acceptance rate of only 3.95%, Stanford University shows an extreme level of screening in its admission policy.

Ques. Is Stanford expensive?

Ans. On average, the cost of pursuing courses at Stanford is 82,000 USD (~63.5 lakhs INR). The cost of living in Stanford University is around 18 lakhs INR. This cost may differ based on the selected program and the lifestyle of the student.

Ques. Does Stanford have placement opportunities?

Ans. Stanford University runs an array of career support programs and recruitment exercises throughout the year. It is one of the university that produces employees with the highest salary packages in the world. The average annual salary of the Stanford graduates is 112,000 USD according to Payscale.

Ques. What is the placement rate of Stanford University?

Ans. Within 4 months of graduation, 92% of the Stanford graduates secure one or more jobs.

Ques. What is the average salary of Stanford graduate?

Ans. The average salary of the Stanford graduates is 112,000 USD per year according to Payscale. Students completing a bachelor’s degree from Stanford earn a mid-career average salary of 249,000 USD per annum.