Stanford combines highly selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation outcomes. The university ranks among the highest we track for return on investment while generating $38,676 in earnings beyond expectations. Despite selective access, Stanford maintains strong affordability through substantial financial aid, creating favorable long-term economic outcomes for graduates.
Exceptional long-term earnings outcomes and favorable debt levels
Substantial financial aid that reduces average costs well below sticker price
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students despite highly selective admissions
The institution's ability to generate strong outcomes for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisStanford delivers exceptional earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $124,080 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99.9th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $73,321 at the 25th percentile to $219,740 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across disciplines but consistently strong performance. The institution generates $38,676 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 98.7th percentile nationally on this measure.
Highly competitive students seeking exceptional post-graduation outcomes, particularly in STEM fields. Best suited for those who can navigate extremely selective admissions (3.9% acceptance rate) and want access to top-tier engineering, computer science, and economics programs.
Stanford combines selectivity with strong outcomes while maintaining relatively manageable debt levels.
Stanford admits approximately 3.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 25 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Stanford among the most selective universities in the United States. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Stanford's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, Stanford's acceptance rate falls at the lower end of the spectrum.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Stanford's published cost of attendance totals $82,162 per year, including $62,484 in tuition, $19,922 for room and board, and $825 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $12,136 after financial aid, representing savings of $70,026 from the sticker price. This substantial reduction reflects Stanford's commitment to affordability through need-based financial aid.
The average net price of $12,136 falls significantly below the peer median of $27,143, positioning Stanford as more affordable than typical four-year institutions despite its high sticker price. This affordability advantage stems from Stanford's substantial endowment and financial aid resources, which enable generous aid packages for families across income levels. The dramatic difference between published and actual costs means that families should not dismiss Stanford based solely on sticker price. Instead, the focus should shift to understanding need-based aid eligibility and expected family contributions based on income and assets.
Computer Science.
307 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
46 graduates
Engineering Design.
76 graduates
Applied Economics.
90 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
54 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Santa Clara University Higher acceptance rate (39.9 percentage points higher) and located 14 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 44% | $109,183 | Compare |
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This is the Stanford University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/stanford-university/analysis.
Exceptional return on investment nationally
Stanford University leads with exceptional return performance, ranking at the 99.9th percentile nationally. Located in Stanford, California, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 3.9% acceptance rate while delivering outstanding post-graduation outcomes.
Stanford enrolls 19.2% Pell-eligible students and 30.3% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achievers institution where limited access coexists with strong outcomes. Graduates earn $38,676 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 98.7th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $124,080 ten years after enrollment, placing Stanford at the 99.9th percentile for long-term earnings performance. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $61,014 more annually.
This combination of highly selective admission, exceptional earnings outcomes, and controlled debt levels reflects Stanford's position among institutions serving fewer low-income students while delivering among the highest returns we track.
This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would thrive at Stanford do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants. For this reason, students considering Stanford should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Stanford as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy. Students should expect that admission depends on factors beyond academic metrics alone, including unique contributions to the campus community.
Stanford graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time with exceptional long-term performance. Median earnings rise from $102,887 six years after enrollment to $109,851 at eight years and $124,080 at ten years, representing 20.6% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 796 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures.
Graduates earn $38,676 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Stanford at the 98.7th percentile for earnings uplift. This reflects the university's effectiveness in translating educational opportunity into superior economic outcomes. Low-income graduates earn $134,300, ranking among the top 5% nationally. Earnings span from $73,321 at the 25th percentile to $219,740 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating significant upside potential across different program tracks. Approximately 27.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. Stanford's earnings performance exceeds peer institutions by $61,014 annually, highlighting the substantial economic advantage of degree completion.
Stanford offers 17 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Computer Science dominates enrollment with 307 graduates, ranking #5 nationally and #1 in California, producing median earnings of $200,950 with an exceptional value score of 97.8. Engineering Design ranks #1 nationally with 76 graduates earning $141,630, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #3 nationally with graduates earning $154,251.
Applied Economics ranks #10 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 90 students with median earnings of $127,416. Multiple engineering programs hold #1 national rankings, including Mechanical Engineering and International Relations and Affairs. Human Biology ranks #2 nationally with 142 graduates, while Cognitive Science also holds the #2 national position. These rankings reflect Stanford's exceptional strength across STEM fields, with multiple programs achieving top-tier national recognition while maintaining substantial enrollment levels that provide diverse pathways for students.
Bentley University Higher acceptance rate (44.5 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 48% | $120,959 | Compare |
Babson College Higher acceptance rate (15.8 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 20% | $123,938 | Compare |
Santa Clara University Same state (14 miles away) (earnings difference: 12%); same institution type | CA | 44% | $109,183 | Compare |
California Institute Of Technology Same state with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | CA | 3% | $128,566 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Princeton University Similar quality tier (#42 ranked) | NJ | 5% | $110,066 | #42 | Compare |
Harvard University Similar quality tier (#48 ranked) | MA | 3% | $101,817 | #48 | Compare |
Columbia University In The City Of New York Similar quality tier (#53 ranked) | NY | 4% | $102,491 | #53 | Compare |
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#60 ranked) | MA | 5% | $143,372 | #60 | Compare |
Cornell University Similar quality tier (#62 ranked) | NY | 8% | $104,043 | #62 | Compare |
