Stanford University
Stanford University's expansive campus occupies 8,180 acres near Palo Alto, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The student body is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and academic rigor, particularly in engineering, computer science, and the sciences. Distinctive features include the Hoover Institution think tank, a strong athletic tradition with numerous NCAA championships, and a culture deeply intertwined with technological innovation.
Financial Aid
The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. Stanford University's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 19% of students receive Pell Grants; 6% take federal loans.
Average net price across income brackets is $20,197, roughly 68% lower than the published tuition.
Net Price by Family Income
Academic Year 2025| Income Bracket | Avg Net Price | 4-Year Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30K | Aid > cost | $0 |
| $30K – $48K | Aid > cost | $0 |
| $48K – $75K | $1,323 | $5,292 |
| $75K – $110K | $8,816 | $35,264 |
| $110K+ | $50,452 | $201,808 |
| Sticker price (no aid) | $62,484 | $249,936 |
Programs at Stanford University
12 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.
| Degree Program | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Compare across schools → |
81
|
$138,613/yr | Very High | 8.9x |
| Economics Compare across schools → |
76
|
$98,104/yr | Very High | 4.9x |
| Engineering-Related Fields Compare across schools → |
68
|
$100,788/yr | High | 5.8x |
|
International Relations
International Relations and National Security Studies Compare across schools → |
63
|
$76,166/yr | High | 4.1x |
|
Engineering Studies
Engineering, Other Compare across schools → |
55
|
$49,741/yr | High | 3.9x |
| Cognitive Science Compare across schools → |
54
|
$105,695/yr | Moderate | 3.2x |
|
Political Science
Political Science and Government Compare across schools → |
51
|
$59,297/yr | Very High | 1.9x |
| Science, Technology and Society Compare across schools → |
44
|
$44,736/yr | Moderate | 2.7x |
| Human Biology Compare across schools → |
42
|
$50,179/yr | High | 2.2x |
|
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools → |
39
|
$50,487/yr | High | 1.0x |
|
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Compare across schools → |
28
|
$41,156/yr | Very High | 0.6x |
|
English
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools → |
20
|
$30,544/yr | Very High | 1.3x |
More Colleges in California
Top-scored 4-year colleges and universities elsewhere in California, ranked by average DegreeOutlook Score across their programs.