Stanford Undergraduate Tuition

How Much Is the Tuition per Year for Undergraduates at Stanford?

Stanford University, founded in 1885, is a world-renowned private research university dedicated to promoting research, student-faculty engagement, interdisciplinary work, and academic success. It is well-known for its entrepreneurial culture and close ties to Silicon Valley, which is home to several digital start-ups and worldwide corporations including Facebook, Apple, and Google.

With its reputation for excellent academic programs and world-class research facilities, it’s no surprise that many students are interested in attending.

One of the biggest concerns for many prospective students is “How much is the tuition per year for undergraduates at Stanford?” The Stanford undergraduate tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is $61,731, which will be divided across the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.

The following table shows the Student Budget for students attending Standing during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Tuition	61,731
Room and Board	19,922
Student Fees	2,205
Books and Supplies	825
Personal Expenses	3,150
Travel Costs	Depends on the student’s home state/country
Total	$87,833

The budget is based on the real tuition cost, plus an allowance for extra fees that students are typically paid, a standard amount for room and board, and allowances allotted for the typical books and supplies costs, personal expenses, and transportation to and from the Stanford campus. Tuition, fees, and room and board are all charged to the university bill quarterly.

New students (freshmen and transfers) must also pay the New Student Orientation Fee ($525) and the Document Fee ($250). These one-time payments will be included in the new student’s budget.

Despite the high cost of Stanford undergraduate tuition and other fees, Stanford University offers a range of financial aid options to help make college more affordable for students and families.

In fact, the university’s financial aid program is designed to meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need, and students with the lowest family incomes are not required to pay any tuition at all.

How Much Does Room and Board Cost at Stanford?

Attending college is a big investment, and one of the biggest expenses students face is the cost of housing and food. Apart from the Stanford undergraduate tuition, students and their families also need to consider expenses for room and board during four to five years in college. So, how much does room and board cost at Stanford?

As of the 2023-2024 academic year, the estimated cost for undergraduate housing is approximately $12,000-$15,000. The size, architectural style, and arrangement of student rooms and communal areas in first-year dormitories vary widely.

The house sizes range from 30 to 170 students and most rooms are shared by two or three students. In some dormitories, four students may share two or three rooms.

All undergraduate students living on campus are obliged to have a meal plan, although, during the first three weeks of each quarter, students can change their dining hall meal plan.

For the fall quarter, the default meal plan for all undergraduates is 15 meals per week. For first-year students, the 19-meal-per-week plan is also available. For reference, the 19 Meal Plan costs $6,937 in the previous academic year.

For on-campus housing, students can choose from a variety of styles, including traditional dorm rooms, suites, and apartments. The cost of housing at Stanford ranges from approximately $12,000 to $15,000 per year, depending on the type of housing and meal plan selected. Some dorms include a meal plan, which ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 per year, while others allow students to purchase meals on a flexible basis.

Living on campus can provide students with a sense of community, convenience, and access to resources, facilities, and services. It can also help them establish strong relationships with classmates and make new friends.

Additionally, the close proximity to classrooms and other university facilities can make it easier for students to get involved in campus life and participate in extracurricular activities.

In addition to on-campus housing, students may also choose to live off-campus in apartments or houses. The cost of off-campus housing and food varies widely, depending on factors such as location, size of the dwelling, and the cost of groceries.

The cost of undergraduate room and board at Stanford University ranges from approximately more than $18,000 for the current academic year.

This may vary depending on the type of housing and meal plan that a student chooses. Although this may seem like a steep cost, Stanford University offers a range of financial aid options to help make college more affordable for students and families.

When considering the cost of attending Stanford, it’s important to look at the full picture, including the Stanford undergraduate tuition, fees, and other expenses, and to take advantage of any available financial aid opportunities.

Does Stanford Give Full Financial Aid to International Students?

Stanford University is known for its excellent academic programs and world-class research facilities, but attending college can be a big financial investment.

For many international students, the cost of tuition and living expenses can be a significant barrier to attending college in prestigious universities in the US. Students often wonder, “Does Stanford give full financial aid to international students?”

Stanford accepts applications from students from all over the world. International students are an important component of our student community, contributing to a vibrant learning and living environment.

Stanford is dedicated to meeting demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students, regardless of citizenship, who applied for financial aid.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident, or an undocumented student, your financial aid request will be considered in Stanford’s admissions decision. While financial aid opportunities for international students are limited, Stanford admits a few international students who applied for aid each year.

International citizens who declare on their applications that they will not be seeking financial help and are thereafter admitted are not entitled to apply for financial aid during their four years at Stanford.

If your citizenship status changes while you are an undergraduate student and you become eligible for federal student aid, you may be evaluated for need-based financial aid beginning in the quarter in which your citizenship status changes.

To be considered for financial aid, international students must complete the CSS Profile and International Student Supplement to be submitted using Stanford’s Document Upload by the financial aid application deadline set by the university.

How Do You Get a Full Scholarship at Stanford?

Attending Stanford can be a dream come true for many students, but the high cost of tuition and living expenses can make it seem out of reach for some. Students often worry about “How do you get a full scholarship to Stanford?”

First, it’s important to understand that a full scholarship to Stanford University is extremely competitive. To be considered for a full scholarship, students must demonstrate their financial need through the CSS Profile and FAFSA.

After submitting your CSS Profile, CSS will send you an email with instructions for finishing the IDOC process. You must submit your parent federal tax return for 2021, including all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms, and any earnings documents. Personal and company partnership tax returns should be included.

Institutional scholarship consideration requires the CSS Profile, FAFSA, and tax documents (IDOC). The CSS Profile is not required if you are solely applying for federal and state financial aid programs.

Stanford’s financial aid program is need-based, which means that your family’s financial situation determines your help eligibility. While you and your parents are the primary payers for college, financial aid can help bridge the gap between total costs and your ability to pay.

Almost half of all undergraduates at Stanford receive some form of need-based financial aid.  For the current freshman class, the average amount of scholarship and grant money obtained by need-based aid recipients is $68,308 from all sources.

This includes a $61,793 average Stanford scholarship as well as grant funding from federal, state, and private sources.

Why Do Students Want to Study at Stanford?

Attending a prestigious university in the United States like Stanford can be very expensive, particularly for out-of-state and international students. The cost of tuition, fees, room, and board at many of the top universities in the US can easily exceed $80,000 per year, and in some cases, it can be much higher.

For the current academic year, Stanford undergraduate tuition, room and board, and other fees amount to more than $87,000. There are also additional costs that can add up quickly, making a prestigious education a significant financial investment.

Nevertheless, why do students want to study at Stanford? Stanford University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, attracting students from all over the globe.

From its world-class academics and research opportunities to its vibrant campus community and sunny California location, there are many reasons why students want to study at Stanford.

Academics

Stanford University is known for its rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities. With a faculty made up of Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and other leading experts in their fields, students at Stanford have access to a world-class education.

Only three of Stanford’s seven schools—the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Humanities & Sciences—offer undergraduate degrees. Stanford University is also known as a school that sends students to Silicon Valley. It offers more than 65 different majors to its students, with degrees ranging from Aeronautics and Astronautics to Urban Studies.

The most well-known of the undergraduate schools at Stanford is the School of Engineering at Stanford University, which holds the number two spot on the U.S. News list of the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.

Location

Stanford University is in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the world’s leading technology hubs. This provides students with access to a wealth of internship and job opportunities, as well as a vibrant and innovative community.

Across the bay, Stanford graduates have established notable careers for themselves and secured impressive futures, including the following:

• Larry Page and Sergey Brin, co-founders of Google
• Jerry Yang and David Filo, co-founders of Yahoo
• Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom, co-founders of Instagram

Campus Life and Diversity

Stanford University has a vibrant campus culture, with a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and events. From sports and fitness to the arts and humanities, there is something for everyone at Stanford.

Stanford University values diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all students. With students from all over the world, the campus community is rich in cultural and intellectual diversity.

Networking Opportunities

With over 270,000 alumni around the world, Stanford graduates form a large and connected community that is known for its strong sense of camaraderie, mutual support, and shared interests. Stanford alumni are leaders in a wide range of fields, including business, technology, finance, entertainment, and more, and many are eager to help fellow alumni succeed and make connections.

The university also has several active alumni clubs and organizations, which host events and provide opportunities for alumni to connect and stay involved with the university.

There are several more reasons why students want to study at Stanford University. From its world-class academics to its vibrant campus culture and diverse community, Stanford is the place to be for students who want to challenge themselves and make a difference in the world.

If you are considering applying to Stanford, it is natural that you will worry about the Stanford undergraduate tuition and other possible expenses in attending this elite university. However, Stanford is generous with its financial assistance to students regardless of their citizenship.

Another thing that you need to take note of is that getting into Stanford is extremely competitive. The university receives a large number of applications each year from highly qualified students, and only a small fraction of applicants are admitted.

For the Class of 2026, the admission rate for Stanford was 3.68%, which is the lowest record for the university. It is important to have a strong academic record and high test scores to boost your chances of admission.

You should also be prepared to demonstrate your unique qualities, interests, and achievements in your application materials. It is also helpful to have a well-rounded profile, with involvement in extracurricular activities and community service, and to have a solid understanding of what you want to study and why you are a good fit for Stanford.

If you need a helping hand regarding your Stanford application, AdmissionSight is ready to help. We have more than ten years of experience in the college admissions consulting industry and we would gladly extend our assistance to help you get into your top-choice university. Feel free to set up an initial consultation with our experts today.