[UPDATED 2025] Stanford University Acceptance Rate & Admission Guide
Acceptance Rate Trend
| Year | Acceptance Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.69% |
| 2016 | 4.69% |
| 2017 | 4.65% |
| 2018 | 4.36% |
| 2019 | 4.34% |
| 2020 | 5.19% |
| 2021 | 3.95% |
| 2022 | 4.00% |
| 2023 | 4.00% |
| 2024 | 3.6% |
| 2025 | 3.5% |
Stanford University Acceptance Rate (Latest)
For the Class of 2028 (Fall 2024 entry), Stanford received a record number of applications and admitted an exceptionally accomplished cohort.
3.61%
Overall Acceptance Rate
57,326
Total Applicants
81.9%
Yield Rate (# of enrolled students / # of admitted students × 100)
1,693
Number of Students Enrolled
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
3.95-4.0
GPA Range (Middle 50% - unweighted)
1500–1570
SAT Range (Middle 50%)
33–35
ACT Range (Middle 50%)
21%
First-generation college students
ℹ️ Beginning with the 2025–2026 application cycle, Stanford will reinstate its standardized testing requirement.
Restrictive Early Action vs Regular Decision
Stanford offers Restrictive Early Action (REA), a non-binding early application process. Official acceptance rates for REA vs. Regular Decision are not published, but REA is highly competitive and does not confer a significant statistical advantage.
| Application Type | Acceptance Rate | Avg GPA | Avg SAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictive Early Action | Not published | 3.95-4.0 | 1530–1570 (est.) |
| Regular Decision | Not published | 3.95-4.0 | 1500–1560 (est.) |
Tip: Stanford's REA is non-binding and applicants may not apply early to other private colleges.
Acceptance Rate by School or Major
Stanford does not publicly release acceptance rates by individual school or major. However, high-demand programs such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Business are known to be extremely competitive.
| School/Major | Acceptance Rate | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| School of Engineering | Not published | Largest undergraduate school |
| School of Humanities & Sciences | Not published | Most diverse range of majors |
| School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences | Not published | Smallest undergraduate enrollment |
Acceptance Rate by Residency Status
Stanford does not publish separate acceptance rates for in-state, out-of-state, or international applicants. International students make up about 14% of the Class of 2028.
| Residency | Acceptance Rate (if available) | Class of 2028 % |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. (all states) | Not published | 86% |
| International | Not published | 14% |
ℹ️ Stanford admits students from all 50 U.S. states and 70 countries.
How Does Stanford Compare?
Stanford is among the most selective universities in the world, with an acceptance rate lower than most Ivy League schools and top public universities.
| School | Acceptance Rate | Avg SAT | Avg GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 3.6% | 1500–1570 | Near-perfect |
| Harvard | 3.6% | 1480–1580 | Near-perfect |
| MIT | 4.0% | 1510–1580 | Near-perfect |
| Princeton | 5.7% | 1460–1570 | Near-perfect |
| UC Berkeley | 11% | 1415 | 3.9 |
How to Boost Your Chances of Getting In
- Show curiosity that drives action, not just thoughts. Instead of saying you're interested in science, describe how you explored CRISPR on your own or reached out to Stanford professors about bioethics. Turn intellectual interest into tangible projects or outreach.
- Use essays to reveal your thinking under pressure. Share moments when you faced difficult decisions, questioned your assumptions, or grew from setbacks. Stanford values reflection and depth over perfection.
- Highlight meaningful impact in a few focused extracurriculars rather than listing many. Share how you built or improved something, like launching a local coding program or redesigning a school system.
- Connect your values and goals to specific Stanford opportunities. Mention programs like the d.school, Symbolic Systems, or the Haas Center, and show how they align with your past work and future plans.
- Ask for recommendations that show your intellectual spark and how you elevate those around you. Ideal teachers can speak to your curiosity, leadership in discussion, and willingness to challenge ideas.
- Frame failure as growth. A project that didn’t work can be just as powerful—if it led to insight, leadership, or perseverance.
- Show how you’ve contributed to your community or uplifted others. Whether you started a peer mental health network or mentored ESL students, Stanford values those who lead with empathy.
Stanford Admissions FAQs
Q. Is Stanford harder to get into for international students?
A. Stanford's acceptance rate is extremely low for all applicants. International students comprise about 14% of the class, but the university does not publish separate acceptance rates by nationality.
Q. What GPA do I need to get into Stanford?
A. Most admitted students have near-perfect GPAs and are in the top 5% of their class. However, Stanford evaluates applications holistically.
Q. Does Stanford superscore SAT/ACT?
A. Stanford considers the highest section scores across all SAT and ACT test dates (superscoring).
Q. Is it worth applying without test scores?
A. No, Stanford is not test-optional for the 2025-2026 application cycle. Stanford will reinstate its standardized testing requirement, meaning that students applying for the Class of 2030 (enrolling in Fall 2026) will need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Q. Can I get into Stanford with a 3.8 GPA?
A. While possible, most admitted students have higher GPAs. Exceptional achievements, essays, and recommendations are crucial.
Q. What does it mean to be deferred or waitlisted at Stanford?
A. Deferred applicants are reconsidered in the Regular Decision pool. Waitlisted students may be offered admission if space becomes available after May 1.
Q. What is the difference between Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision at Stanford?
A. Restrictive Early Action is non-binding and limits early applications to other private colleges. Both rounds are highly competitive.
Q. How does Stanford's holistic review process work?
A. Stanford evaluates the entire application, including academics, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and character. No single factor guarantees admission.
Q. Can I double major or switch majors after enrolling?
A. Yes, Stanford allows double majors and changing majors, subject to departmental requirements.
Q. How does Stanford support first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students?
A. Stanford offers robust financial aid, mentoring, outreach, and community programs. 21% of the Class of 2028 are first-generation college students.
Q. How and when will I receive my admissions decision?
A. REA applicants are notified in December, Regular Decision in late March/early April. The reply deadline is May 1.
Q. Does Stanford offer interviews as part of the admissions process?
A. Yes, Stanford offers interviews as part of the admissions process for undergraduate applicants, but they are optional and not guaranteed for all applicants.