At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Stanford University is a world-renowned private research university at the heart of Silicon Valley, recognized for its entrepreneurial culture and interdisciplinary scholarship. Its proximity to the tech industry and generous funding create unparalleled opportunities in computer science, engineering, and the sciences.
Mascot: Cardinal
Notable Alumni
Tiger Woods (legendary pro golfer)•Sally Ride (first American woman in space)•Reed Hastings (co-founder of Netflix)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Stanford radiates a uniquely Californian blend of ambition and chill — everyone is working on a startup or training for the Olympics, but nobody wants to look like they're trying too hard. Greek life exists but doesn't drive the social scene; dorm culture and the 'Stanford bubble' do. The gorgeous campus and perfect weather make it easy to never leave Palo Alto, which is both a feature and a bug.
Romanesque sandstone buildings with red tile roofs, palm-lined quads, the mosaic-covered Memorial Church, and Rodin sculptures set across 8,180 sun-drenched acres make it one of America's most visually stunning campuses.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Stanford DPS maintains a 50+ officer force with 24/7 patrols across the 8,000-acre campus. Over 290 security cameras were added in 2024; primary crime is bike and scooter theft rather than violent incidents.
Palo Alto is one of the safest cities in the Bay Area, with very low violent crime. The affluent residential surroundings and geographic isolation of the campus create a low-risk environment.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Multiple times most weekdays and select Saturdays
Duration: About 75 minutes (tour) + optional info session
Registration required in advance. Tours run during academic quarters (check site for exact dates). Spring Quarter 2026 runs March 30 - June 14. Visitor Center at 295 Galvez Street is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Book a TourSelf-guided tour maps available from the Visitor Center and as downloadable PDFs. Covers the Main Quad, Memorial Church, Hoover Tower, and more. Free and available anytime campus is open.
Tour ResourcesOctober-November (fall quarter, gorgeous weather) or April-May (spring quarter, campus at peak beauty). Parking is free on weekends, making Saturday a budget-smart visit day. Avoid summer quarter (fewer students) and December-January (winter break). Football Saturdays in fall bring incredible energy.
Visitor parking available throughout campus via ParkMobile (contactless). Free on weekends. From SFO, take Caltrain to Palo Alto station (~1 hr, ~$10), then the free Marguerite shuttle to campus. From SJC, Caltrain is also an option. If driving, use the Palm Drive entrance off University Avenue for the iconic first view of campus.
Location
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