Stanford University

Summary

Stanford University is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,019, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,180 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Stanford University's ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 4. Its tuition and fees are $46,320 (2015-16).

Stanford University’s pristine campus is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. Stanford offers a wide range of student organizations, including the Stanford Pre-Business Association and Stanford Solar Car Project, which designs, builds and races a solar car every two years. The Stanford Cardinals are well known for the traditional "Big Game" against Cal, an annual football competition that awards the Stanford Axe—a sought-after trophy—to the victor. Stanford also has successful programs in tennis and golf. Only freshman are required to live on campus, but students are guaranteed housing for all four years and most choose to remain on campus. Greek life at Stanford represents approximately 10 percent of the student body.

Four of Stanford University’s seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the remaining three serve as purely graduate schools. Graduate programs include the highly rankedSchool of Education, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine and the top-ranked Graduate School of Business. The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment oversees collaboration between environmental research, teaching and outreach. Stanford has a number of well-known theatrical and musical groups, including the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society and the Mendicants, an all-male a cappella group. Notable Stanford alumni include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, famed NFL quarterback John Elway, actress Sigourney Weaver and golfer Tiger Woods, who began his professional career at Stanford.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

In 1885, Jane and Leland Stanford established Stanford University in memory of their son, Leland Junior. Their intent was to establish a "University of...

General Information

School type	private, coed college
Year founded	1885
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	quarter
Setting	suburban
2014 Endowment	$21,466,006,000

Applying

When applying to Stanford University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 3, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 15. The application fee at Stanford University is $90. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 5.1 percent and an early acceptance rate of 10.8 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	most selective
Fall 2014 acceptance rate	5.1%
Application deadline	January 3
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 15

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Stanford University is 4:1, and the school has 70.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Stanford University include: Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Engineering; Social Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; and Physical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98.3 percent.