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Summary
Stanford University is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,988, 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 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 6. Its tuition and fees are $41,787 (2012-13).
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.
Three of Stanford University’s seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the remaining four serve as purely graduate schools. Graduate programs include the highly ranked School of Education, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine, and the top-ranked Graduate School of Business. The 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 capella 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.
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In 1885, Jane and Leland Stanford established Stanford University in memory of their son. Their intent was to establish a "University of high degree" that would "qualify students for personal success and direct usefulness in life and promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization." Today, Stanford is a research university where teaching, learning and research are all integral to the university's mission. Stanford values close interaction between undergraduates and faculty. Student participation in research is strongly supported. Stanford's entrepreneurial character draws from its Western location and the legacy of its founders. Academic excellence crosses disciplines, ranging from humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences. Stanford emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and research and has established university-wide initiatives to address worldwide problems in human health, the environment, international affairs and K-12 education. Current faculty have 17 Nobels and 4 Pulitzers. Students, distinguished by initiative, love of learning and commitment to public service, are talented in many areas, including academics, art, music and athletics. Stanford's athletic teams, called the Cardinal, have won the Director's Cup as the best program nationwide 17 years in a row. Stanford's extraordinary campus is located in a dynamic and diverse area between San Francisco and San Jose in Northern California. The campus is considered among the most beautiful anywhere. The Bing Overseas Studies Program has offerings in 12 countries, and other Stanford programs take students to the Hopkins Marine Laboratory on Monterey Bay and to Washington D.C. |
General Information
| School type | private |
| Year founded | 1885 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | quarter |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $16,502,606,000 |
Applying
When applying to Stanford University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 1. The application fee at Stanford University is $90. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 7.1 percent and an early acceptance rate of 12.6 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 7.1% |
| Application deadline | January 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Stanford University is 5:1, and the school has 68.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Stanford University include: Library Science; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Physical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98.0 percent.
Student Life
Stanford University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,988, with a gender distribution of 51.6 percent male students and 48.4 percent female students. At this school, 91.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 9.0 percent of students live off campus. Stanford University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at Stanford University.
| Total enrollment | 19,945 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
Stanford University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Stanford University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Stanford University, 29 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Stanford University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 29% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Stanford University, 51.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $40,300.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $41,787 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $12,721 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
