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Colleges / Stanford University

Stanford University

Stanford, CA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate4%
Acceptance Rate4%

Stanford Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time Stanford University students was $57,693 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 4%–from $55,473 the previous year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Stanford University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Stanford University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from California as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to confirm your state's requirements for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at Stanford University

Tuition at Stanford is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Stanford:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideStanford •Stanford-specific loans •Stanford-specific scholarships


Stanford University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Stanford.

House and Food Costs at Stanford

Housing and campus dining at Stanford is $18,619 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Stanford's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Stanford?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Stanford, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area might be expensive, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Stanford Universityis located in a suburban setting in California, not far from San Francisco and San Jose.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Financial Breakdown for Stanford University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Stanford.

Total Cost of Stanford

What will the cost of attending Stanford be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $57,693
Room and Board $18,619
Other expenses $2,355

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $80,740
Off-Campus $62,121

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Stanford University


In 2022, 3,304 of the 7,645 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Stanford meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $59,402 a year. Around 13% of Stanford undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Stanford graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $23,318 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $12,980
Stanford-Specific Loans $4,378
Private Loans $46,692
Most Common Loans for Stanford Students
Federal Loans 12%
Institutional Loans 1%
Private loans 3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Stanford financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Stanford University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Stanford awarded 3,264 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $175.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $8.74 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Stanford University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Stanford students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Stanford was $59,402 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Stanford seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $21,338
Off-Campus $2,719

What will attending Stanford really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Stanford's net cost calculator on their website.

Stanford University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Stanford Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Stanford has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Stanford University


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Stanford:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about Stanford in the College Confidential forums

Stanford Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$74,714

In State

$74,714

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$55,473
$55,473
Fees
$696
$696
Housing
$17,255
$17,255
Books
$1,290
$1,290

Stanford Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

46%

Average Financial Aid Package

$55,817

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

17,680

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

4%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$56,169

Out-of-State

$56,169

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 2
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