Stanford University is a highly sought-after choice for international students and is ranked among the top universities worldwide. Stanford welcomes applicants from around the world, and its Bechtel International Center offers support, programs, and resources for international students and their families.
However, Stanford’s highly selective admissions process and low acceptance rate make admission to the university very competitive. Still, the opportunities it offers can make the effort worthwhile. Continue reading this guide to learn more about the Stanford University acceptance rate, tuition fees, and admission requirements.
Stanford University Acceptance Rate
Stanford University is among the most selective universities in the world, with a latest reported undergraduate acceptance rate of 3.8% for the Fall 2025 entering class. According to Stanford’s 2025-2026 Common Data Set, 60,646 students applied for first-year undergraduate admission, and 2,302 were admitted.
Students should remember that the acceptance rate varies annually depending on the number of applicants and the university’s enrollment goals. Graduate and professional admissions at Stanford are handled by individual programs and schools, so there is no single official graduate-school acceptance rate that applies across the entire university.
These figures show that students need to prepare carefully to apply to Stanford University. Stanford reviews applications holistically, so academic excellence, strong essays, recommendations, personal context, and meaningful extracurricular depth can all help applicants present a stronger application.
Preparing For Stanford University
After reviewing the acceptance rate, you should also consider Stanford’s admission process, tuition fees, and financial aid options to get a clearer picture of the university.
Admission Requirements
Knowing Stanford University’s application requirements beforehand is important. Every university has its own admission requirements, and knowing them helps students understand whether they are prepared to apply to Stanford University. These requirements can also help applicants tailor their applications accordingly.
First-year applicants must submit the Common Application with a $100 nonrefundable application fee or request a fee waiver. Applicants must provide either ACT or SAT scores, the School Report form and counselor’s letter of recommendation, official transcripts or academic results, a midyear transcript, and letters of recommendation from two teachers.
Tuition Fees
Stanford’s full cost of attendance is high, so students should review all expenses before applying. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Stanford lists undergraduate tuition at $67,731. The standard undergraduate student budget also includes housing and food, a student fees allowance, books and supplies, and personal expenses, bringing the standard total to $97,545 before travel costs. New students also pay one-time orientation and document fees, and students may need to account for health insurance costs.
Scholarships
Because Stanford’s total cost of attendance is high, financial aid is important for many students. Stanford offers comprehensive need-based financial aid and says it meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted undergraduate students who qualify. Stanford scholarship funds are awarded based on financial need, as determined through the CSS Profile, and no separate application is required for specific Stanford scholarship funds.
Stanford also notes that it does not offer merit scholarships outside of a limited number of athletic scholarships. For international applicants, requesting financial aid can be a factor in the admission evaluation; however, Stanford says it meets the full demonstrated need of all admitted students who requested aid during the application process.
Stanford University is a highly selective and reputable university that offers strong academic opportunities and support resources for international students. Even though the admission process is competitive, careful preparation can help applicants present a stronger application. Therefore, review the requirements, costs, and financial aid policies above to understand your options and improve your chances of applying successfully.
We hope that you found this article on Stanford University’s acceptance rate informative. To learn more about studying in the United States, check out our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Student!
