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Stanford University

About Stanford University

Stanford University was founded in 1885 to promote public welfare by California senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane. Stanford has been a place for all scholars to learn, discover, and innovate since its inception. Stanford has always placed a premium on hands-on learning. Generous funding contributes to the satisfaction of its undergraduates from all walks of life, ensuring that they have equitable access to knowledge and opportunity.

Stanford University is 35 miles south of San Francisco and 20 miles north of San Jose, on 8,180 acres in the heart of Northern California's dynamic "Silicon Valley," home to Yahoo!, Google, Hewlett-Packard, and many other cutting-edge companies that were founded by Stanford alumni and faculty and continue to be led by Stanford alumni and faculty. The Stanford University campus has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing and educational possibilities. The Richardsonian Romanesque and California Mission Revival design of the Main Quad beautifully blends modern and technology features with timeless, graceful aesthetics and plenty of outdoor space.

Stanford currently has a total student body of 16,424 students, divided into 6,994 undergraduates and 9,390 graduates, as well as 2,276 faculty members and 2,400 postdoctoral fellows. There are currently seven schools and 18 multidisciplinary institutes at Stanford. Stanford is an international university with students from all 48 states of the United States as well as 77 other countries. Business, Environmental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, and Medicine are among Stanford's seven schools. Stanford University presently offers more than 90 graduate programmes, as well as 7,000 undergraduate students studying in more than 65 primary subjects.Stanford University features 18 interdisciplinary institutes, 20 libraries with over 9.5 million books, and a $1.6 billion yearly research budget.

There are 2.2 lakh Stanford alumni living in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, as well as 158 countries around the world. Stanford professors and graduates have also aided in the founding of major corporations such as eBay, Cisco Systems, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google, and many others.

Stanford has 17 Nobel laureates, 32 Nobel Prize winners since its foundation, 31 MacArthur Fellows, 4 Pulitzer Prize winners, and numerous national academies prizes for Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, Medicine, and the Arts.

Stanford University Rankings

  • #2 Universities Rankings - ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) 2020
  • #2 World University Ranking - QS 2021
  • #2 University Ranking - THE (Times Higher Education) 2021
  • #6 National University Ranking - US News & World Report 2021
  • #3 Global Universities - US News & World Report 2021

Stanford University Course Rankings

Stanford University Business Courses Rank

  • #52 Best Business School USA - Bloomberg 2020
  • #3 GMBA Ranking - FT (Financial Times) 2020
  • #1 Global MBA - QS 2021
  • #3 Accounting & Finance - QS 2020
  • #1 PG Business and Economics - THE (Times Higher Education) 2021
  • #9 Supply Chain Management MBA - US News & World Report 2021
  • #6 Finance MBA - US News & World Report 2021
  • #6 MBA Business Analytics - US News & World Report 2021
  • #1 Graduate Business School - US News & World Report 2021
  • #2 Entrepreneurship MBA - US News & World Report 2021
  • #6 Information Systems MBA - US News & World Report 2021

Stanford University Engineering Courses Ranks

  • #2 Engineering and Technology - QS 2020
  • #3 PG Engineering and Technology - THE (Times Higher Education) 2021
  • #4 Chemical Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #1 Electrical Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #4 Biomedical Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #2 Mechanical Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #3 UG Mechanical Engineering - US News & World Report 2021
  • #3 Civil Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #3 Aerospace Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021
  • #5 UG Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engg. - US News & World Report 2021

Stanford University Computers Courses Ranks

  • #2 PG Computers - THE (Times Higher Education) 2021
  • #4 UG Computer Engineering - US News & World Report 2021
  • #2 Computer Engineering PG - US News & World Report 2021

Stanford University Top Courses

Programs Fees per Annum
M.Sc Computational and Mathematical Engineering $74,540
M.Sc Computer Science $77,148
M.Sc Mechanical Engineering $77,148
M.B.A $74,706
B.A Economics $70,476
B.Sc Chemical Engineering $73,964
M.Sc Statistics $72,420
B.Sc Biology $70,476
M.Sc Management Science and Engineering $57,861
M.Sc Civil and Environmental Engineering $77,148
B.Sc Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence Track $70,476
M.Sc Electrical Engineering $77,148
M.Sc Energy Resources Engineering $72,420
B.Sc Materials Science and Engineering $73,964
B.Sc Mechanical Engineering $73,964

Stanford University Application Process

Stanford University admissions are among the toughest in the country, with a 4.4 percent acceptance rate. For undergraduate applicants, the early application and standard decision deadlines are November 1 and January 2, respectively, but graduate programme deadlines vary.

Application portal: Students can use the school portal, the Common Application, or the Coalition Application to apply.

Application fee:

  • Undergraduate: 90 USD
  • Graduate: 125 USD

Admission Processing Time: An application to Stanford University takes three to four weeks to process.

Admission Requirements: International students must fulfill the following requirements: 

  • Payment of the non-refundable application fee and completion of the application form
  • Report card and letter of recommendation from counsellor
  • All electronic transcripts from all educational institutions attended must be certified.
  • An engaging Statement of Purpose required by US Universities
  • Personal Essay
  • Letters of Recommendation from two teachers
  • Standardized exams to study in the USA
  • Scores of English language proficiency through TOEFL (iBT), IELTS, or other equivalent exams
  • Certification of finances
  • Copy of Passport

NOTE:TOEFL (iBT) scores of 100 or an IELTS score of 7.0 are necessary for undergraduate admission. TOEFL scores are only accepted at the graduate level at Stanford University. The following are the minimum TOEFL requirements for graduate students:

  • Master's Programs: School of Engineering: 89
  • Master's Programs: Humanities, Social Sciences, Education: 100
  • Doctoral Programs-All Fields:100

Stanford University International Undergraduate Admission

More than 65 major subjects of study are available in Stanford's undergraduate bachelor's programmes. 14 percent of Stanford University's 6,994 undergraduate students are international students from over 66 countries. Every year, the university admits around 1,700 undergraduate students and 30 transfer students.

How to Apply: Undergraduate applicants from outside the United States can apply using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

Application Fee: 90 USD (Non-refundable)  

Academic Requirements for International Students: International undergraduate students must have finished high school and have a solid academic record. International pupils who excel in a school curriculum that includes the following subjects are well-suited for university academics:

  • English: four years, with emphasis on writing and literature.
  • Mathematics: four years, with emphasis on fundamental mathematical skills such as algebra, trigonometry, plane, solid and analytic geometry.
  • History/Social Studies: three or more years.
  • Science: three more years of laboratory science including biology, chemistry, and physics
  • Foreign Language: three or more years of the same foreign language.
  • Standardized Test Scores:
    • In addition to the application, applicants must submit an ACT or SAT score. For a period of five years, these results are valid. Although there is no minimum score requirement for admittance, the following are the average student scores for the Stanford class of 2023:
    • The average SAT score is 1440–1560, with 78 percent of students reporting tests.
    • The average ACT score is 32–35, with 61 percent of students providing ACT scores.

 

  • English Language Proficiency:
    • Non-native English speakers must also present confirmation of English competence via a standardised examination such as the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other comparable exam. The university accepts the following minimum needed scores:
English Test Minimum Scores Required
TOEFL (IBT) 100
TOEFL (PBT) 570
IELTS  7.0
PTE  68

Supporting Documents:

  • Completed online admission application form
  • Academic transcripts from senior secondary school along with their English translations
  • Essays
  • 2 Letter of Recommendation (from a teacher)
  • School Report and Counselor Letter of Recommendation
    • Applicants must identify recommenders and email addresses.
    • 2-3 LORs are required at Stanford.
  • ACT or SAT Scores
  • English proficiency scores
  • Resume: Aspirants must make sure to mention any of their publications in the CV.

Note: Transfer students must meet the same entrance requirements as undergraduate students. The only difference is the deadlines. The students' courses are first compared to those offered by the university, and if they are judged to be compatible, they can transfer to Stanford.

Stanford University International Graduate Admissions

There are 9,390 matriculated students at Stanford, with 34 percent of them being overseas students enrolled in 90+ graduate fields. Each course has its own set of prerequisites and application procedures.

In a given academic year, international students applying for admission to Stanford University can only apply to one graduate programme. It is suggested that students select the appropriate programme based on their interests and abilities.

How to apply: The applications are submitted through the website of the particular school.

Application Fee: 125 USD (for all master programs except MBA)

Academic Requirements for International Students:

  • Students from outside the United States must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a recognised university or college.
  • It is also necessary to show proof of standardised tests such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.
  • Although there is no minimum score requirement for graduate studies at Stanford, candidates who achieve high scores have a considerably better chance of being accepted.
  • TOEFL scores are the only proof of English competence accepted by Stanford. The university does not accept IELTS or other tests.

The minimum TOEFL scores required for graduate admission:

Graduate Program Minimum Required scores
Humanities, Social Sciences, Education 100 (iBT); 600 (PBT)
Engineering 89 (iBT); 575 (PBT)

*It must be noted that graduate business programs do accept other English proficiency test scores such as IELTS or PTE in place of TOEFL.

Supporting Documents: While applying for a graduate program, applicants are required to submit the following as specified by their program:

  • Scores of GRE or GMAT exams. GRE scores are not compulsory for 2020-2021 applicants due to COVID-19.
  • Concise & well-written SOPs must be included with the graduate application. An SOP for US universities must include:
    • Reasons for applying for the proposed program
    • Preparation for the field of study
    • Research interests
    • Future career plans
    • Other background information that may aid in the evaluation of admission applications
  • 2-3 Letters of recommendation
  • Supplemental Form: A few graduate master's programmes (primarily in engineering) ask students to submit a supplemental form with additional information such as a list of publications, websites, and other information.
  • Interview: Only a few programmes, such as the MBA, need this. The admissions committee may contact you for an interview after reviewing your application.

Stanford University Scholarships

  • Scholarships, grants, and loans are among the financial aid options available to the institute's students.
  • The university does, however, offer a limited number of scholarships to international students who wish to study in the United States. As a result, overseas applicants who require assistance must state so on their entrance application.
  • At Stanford University, about 5,000 students received some type of financial aid for their tuition, both internally and externally.
  • Around 66 percent of students got financial aid to help defray the cost of education, while 47 percent of applicants earned need-based scholarships and grants, with only 18 percent of students graduating with debts.
  • International students must have either an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a Social Security number to be eligible for scholarship monies (SSN).
  • Student loans and federal help from US government entities are not available to international candidates. They can, however, apply for fellowships and assistantships, which may have employment restrictions.
  • The following are some of the Stanford University scholarships.
Scholarship Amount
AMA Medical School Scholarships 10,000 USD
African Service Fellowship 5,000 USD
CAMS Scholarship Program 5,000 USD

Stanford University English Language Proficiency:

Non-native English speakers must also present confirmation of English competence via a standardised examination such as the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other comparable exam. The university accepts the following minimum needed scores:

English Test Minimum Scores Required
TOEFL (IBT) 100
TOEFL (PBT) 570
IELTS  7.0
PTE  68

Stanford University Cost of Attendance

  • The cost of attendance varies depending on the type of programme chosen and the student's personal preferences.
  • Additional fees, transportation, and style of lodging can all have a big impact on overall costs at Stanford.
  • The following is an estimated budget for international students interested in studying at Stanford University in the United States:
Type of Expenses Amount (in USD)
Tuition Undergraduate: 55,473
Graduate: 1,166-24,354
Required fees 696
Room and Apartment 10,464-28,032
Medical Insurance 5,928
Health Fee 696
Books and Supplies 1,290-1,780
Transportation 1,050
Personal expenses 3,463
Materials and Program Fee(For Graduates) 900

 

Know more about Studying in USA

Tuition Fees in USA (1st Year Average) BE/Btech: USD 28300 | MS: USD 22693 | BBA: USD 26616 | MBA: USD 29558 | BSc: USD 29418 | MA: USD 20452 | MIS: USD 22133 | MFin: USD 37683 | MEng: USD 29558 | MIM: USD 35301 | MEM: USD 23254 | MArch: USD 34741 | MFA: USD 28857 | BHM: USD 27176
Average Accomodation & Food Costs in USA USD 700 to 1000 Per Month
Entrance Exams in USA TOEFL: 86 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 60 | GRE: 309 | GMAT: 560 | SAT: 1177
Work and Study in USA Permitted for 20 hours/week with a valid study permit. Know More
Post Study Work Permit in USA One to Two Years after graduation depending on the course.
Cost of Student Visa in USA USD 160
Student Visa in USA F1 Visa for USA allows you study permit in USA in full time academic courses. Any accredited school, college, university, academic institute, seminary, or conservatory in USA must accept you beforehand to apply for F1 visa in USA. Know More
Intakes in USA There are Three Intakes in USA: Fall (August-September), Spring (January) Know More
Top Job Sectors in USA Health Care, Education, Construction, Hospitality & Tourism, Business Services, Finance.
Economy in USA GDP Growth of 2.1% (Q4 2019), The Larges Economy of the World by Nominal

Stanford University Average Tuition Fee Per Year

Undergraduate

$ 53,067

Postgraduate

$ 53,361

Costs per year

Overall cost of living

$ 21,799

Campus accommodation

$ 9,843

Please note that fees will vary. Always check the exact cost of the program and bear in mind likely additional expenses.