

Stanford University: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees
- Private University
8180 acre campus
- Estd. 1885
Stanford University Ranking 2026
Stanford University is one of the finest universities for higher education in the USA. When it comes to Stanford University rankings, it is one of the top ranked universities worldwide. In the Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2026, Stanford University has an overall ranking of #3 in the USA and #4 in the world. Shiksha Popularity Rankings also ranked Stanford University courses that are listed below-
| Stanford University Course Name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (World) | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (Country) |
|---|---|---|
| LL.M. | #5 | #3 |
| MSN | #221 | #96 |
| M.A. | #3 | #2 |
| MFA | #19 | #7 |
| M.Arch | #25 | #7 |
| Others PG | #4 | #2 |
| MBA/PGDM | #18 | #3 |
| MS | #3 | #2 |
By Other Ranking Bodies
Apart from Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. It ranks Stanford University at #3 in 2026. Stanford University ranking stood at #4 as per US News in 2026 and #5 by THE in 2026, globally.
#4
#3
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Stanford University and Harvard University are both a part of the top 5 universities in the world and students across the world desire to study here. In QS World University Rankings, Harvard has secured the rank #5 in Best Global Universities. Whereas, Stanford has been ranked #3 in the same category.
However, in the ranking awarded by Times Higher Education (THE), Stanford and Harvard rank the same.
Students can refer to the table below as mentioned in the prominent bodies:
| Ranking Body, Category & Year | Stanford University Rankings | Harvard University Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| QS Rankings - Best Global Universities 2026 | #3 | #5 |
| THE - World University Rankings 2026 | #5 | #5 |
| US News & World Report - Best Global Universities 2025 | #3 | #1 |
Stanford Uni rankings in the QS Global MBA rankings 2026 is #4. This indicates that for MBA course, Stanford is a top university in the world. In 2025 Business school rankings by U.S. News, Stanford ranks at No. 2.
Globally, Stanford Uni ranks among the Top 10 Universities in the world. In the world rankings by known publishers, here are some of the rankings of Stanford:
| Publisher | Rankings |
|---|---|
| QS World Uni Rankings 2026 | #3 |
| Times Higher rankings 2026 | #5 |
| U.S. News Global University Rankings 2025 | #3 |
Stanford University QS ranking 2026 is #3 and in 2025, it ranks at #6. The 2026 QS rank show a significant improvement of rankings as compared to the previous year's rankings. In the QS rankings, since the past 5 years, Stanford Uni has ranked among the Top 10 Universities in the world.
Stanford University Courses for Indian Students
Stanford Uni offers 150+ courses. Study fields at this universitt are Engineering, Business & Management, Science and Medicine. 66+ majors at the UG level and 150+ PG courses are available at Stanford Uni.
Popular Courses at Stanford
Among Indian students, Stanford University popular courses are MBA and MS in Computer Science. Stanford Graduate Business School offers courses like MBA, Masters in Management, and PhD course. The MBA course of Stanford Uni is of 2 years, whereas, Masters in Management course is of 1-year.
Online Courses at Stanford
A few free online courses are available at Stanford in the study areas like Health & Medicine, Engineering, Education, Arts & Humanities, etc.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The duration of Stanford LLM is one year. The Law School of Stanford University is very selective at the time of admissions. As per a top-ranking publisher, the acceptance rate for this Law school is around 8.85%. The documents required to apply to this course are:
- Resume / CV
- Academic transcripts
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- TOEFL score report
- Any other program-specific document
Stanford University MS in Computer Science admission requirements are given below -
- A UG degree
- While the university does not require a specific undergraduate coursework, it is important that applicants have Quantitative and Analytical skills; a bachelor’s degree is CS is not required
- Academic transcripts
- Standardized test scores
- TOEFL score
- Any relevant experience
- 3 academic or professional experiences
- Statement of Purpose
- Any other admission material
The duration of Stanford University MS in Management course is one-year. This course offers students knowledge and leadership skills to accelerate the career growth, invest in career pivot or explore entrepreneurship. To take admission to this course, an UG degree is required. An English language proficiency score and GMAT / GRE score is also required. Two letters of recommendation, resume with at least 8 years of post-graduate professional work experience, essays, etc. are also required.
The duration of Stanford University MS in Education Data Science course is 2 years. This course combines academic coursework with a mentored internship or research assistance. The application for this course has to be submitted with the following application materials:
- A Statement of Purpose
- Resume / CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- University / college transcripts
- No GRE score required for the academic year 2025-26
- TOEFL score with minimum 100 on iBT
Stanford University Admissions
To take a part in Stanford University admissions process, UG students can apply via Common App. For the graduate courses of this university, students can apply via the direct application link. Stanford University application fee for UG courses is USD 100 (Around INR 9k). For PG courses, the application fee vary as per the courses.
Stanford Application Deadline
At Stanford Uni, the application deadline for PG courses vary as per courses. The application deadline for UG courses are given below:
|
Particulars |
Early Action Application Deadline |
Regular Decision Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
|
Application with Optional Arts Portfolio |
Oct 15, 2025 |
Dec 5, 2025 |
|
Standard application deadline |
Nov 1, 2025 |
Jan 5, 2026 |
Stanford University Eligibility for Indian Students
Indian students who want to take admission to Stanford have to submit the following documents:
- Previous year’s academic transcripts
- ACT / SAT test scores (if required)
- School report form and counsellor LOR (UG courses)
- Letter of recommendation
- GMAT / GRE score
- Essays
- Resume
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Those who want to take admission to UG courses of Stanford Uni should have passed high school. Students who take admission to UG courses have shown mastery in English, History / Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and World Language.
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
For admission to PG courses of Stanford Uni, Indian students should have a Bachelor’s degree. Along with this, professional experience, essays, GMAT / GRE score and English language proficiency score may also be required.
- Application fees :USD 90 - 275
- Type of deadline :Regular
| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Needed for few courses |
| LOR | Needed for few courses |
| Essays | Needed for few courses |
| CV | Needed for few courses |
| Additional documents | Required |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Looking at Stanford University’s ranking, it is evident enough that admissions to the MS in CS programme will also be quite competitive. In order to increase chances of getting into the Stanford University MS in CS program, make sure to pay attention to the following points:
- Strong academic record
- Good professional recommendations
- 2-3 years of work experience
- Good personality
- Outstanding Statement of Purpose
For the Class of 2028, Stanford University acceptance rate was 3.61% and for the Class of 2027, it was 3.91%. Since the academic competitiveness is there, the applicants should have an exceptional background to take admission to Stanford. For UG students, the university has not mentioned the cut-off or GPA, still, it is advised to have a GPA of 3.9 or higher. Make sure to have good scores in SAT / ACT.
- Also, focus on taking part in extra-curricular activities as these are also valued at the time of admission
- Statement of Purpose and Admissions essays are also given importance during the admission process. So, be focused while writing these and make yourself stand out
- Strong recommendation letters can also help make an application strong for Stanford
Check a few tips on How to get into Stanford from India
Stanford University MSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering is a coursework-based degree. The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering offers Master's degree in five areas of specialisation namely Atmosphere / Energy, Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering & Mechanics and Computation, Sustainable Design & Construction, Sustainable Engineered Systems. To take admission to this course, the applicants are required to meet the following requirements:
- A Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- The Department does not require: A minimum GPA, Particular fields in the undergraduate / graduate study, other graduate degrees, GRE scores
- Documents required to apply are a completed online application, academic transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, three letters of recommendation, TOEFL score
Stanford University practice holistic admission policy. This means that every component of the students' application is reviewed. Few of the factors that are taken into consideration are:
- Academic excellence
- Intellectual vitality
- Extra curricular activities
For Class of 2028, Stanford Univ acceptance rate is 3.68% making it one of the most selective universities in world. It is important to have an exceptionally strong application.
Stanford UniversityStanford University Scholarships
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Scholarships offered at Stanford Uni are limited in number and only be availed if the students has either a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Also, candidates must note that they are not eligible to apply for financial aid during the course of their undergraduate programme if they were not admitted with financial aid in their first year of study.
Also, Indian students can avail one of the following scholarships in order to reduce the expensive cost of studying in USA:
Stanford Reliance Dhirubai MBA Fellowship offers financial support for up to 5 Indian nationals each year who commit to be back to India, after completing MBA. The recipients shall receive full tuition support for the 2-year MBA course at Stanford. For this fellowship program, there are two stages:
- First stage: On the basis of merit, commitment to developing India, and financial need
- Second stage: Primary Stanford admission criteria. Factors considered are intellectual vitality, showcased potential leadership, and personal qualities and contributions
Stanford Uni meets the full financial need of the UG students. The tuition fee is covered for the students with family income under USD 150,000. Whereas, for students with tuition, room, and board, are covered for undergraduates with family incomes below USD 100,000.
Stanford UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 50% students never faced discrimination in this university

Stanford University Job Outcomes
Graduates are working in industries such as Finance, Technology, Consulting, Healthcare, Energy, etc. International students of Stanford University can work part-time for 20 hours or less per week when the classes are going on. During the breaks, students can work more than 20 hours a week.
Stanford University Placement Rate
As per the Employment Report released for the Stanford University MBA program by Stanford Graduate School of Business, about 88% of the graduates receive Stanford University placement opportunities within 3 months of graduation.
| Highest salary | Finance: USD 200,000 |
| Lowest salary | Media / Entertainment: USD 150,000 |
ROI After Education at Stanford University
| Course | Annual Fee (Investment) | Median Salary (ROI) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | INR 35 L - 1 Cr |
|
(Source: Stanford MBA Employment Report 2024)
| Course | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM | ₹1.75 - ₹163.43 LPA |
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Yes, while studying at Stanford University, international students can work part-time. To be eligible for on-campus employment, students must be enrolled full-time. They can only work up to 20 hours or fewer per week when the school is in session. But, during the holidays and vacations, students can work more than 20 hours per week. A few of the Part-time jobs in USA for Indian students are Tour Guide, Campus Tech Support, Teaching Assistant, Barista, Academic Department Assistant, University Book Store Assistant, etc.
The Stanford University is known for offering the highest placement rate in the USA. The university placement rate attracts international students the most. Stanford University placement rate stands at 81%, for MBA graduates. The average salary of Stanford University graduates is USD 185,000 (INR 1.68 Cr) annually. Stanford graduates are always in high demand all over the world. According to Stanford University reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the university has been rated 5.0 stars for the quality of its faculty. The students rated the Stanford University for placement is as follows:
Particulars | Ratings (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
Internships | 4.3 |
Part Time Work | 4.7 |
Post Study Jobs | 4.7 |
Conversion used: USD 1 = INR 86.55
Stanford law School gave 199 graduates in the year 2024, out of which 191 students were able to secure placement which gives us a Stanford Law School placement rate of 96%.
Each in August, 200 employers representing 500 offices in the US conduct interviews for Summer & permanent positions. The median salary for an SLS graduate for the class of 2024 (private sector) was USD 225,000 (INR 1.93 Cr).
At the University of Stanford the median annual base salary for the graduates is around USD 185,000 (INR 1.6 Cr). Whereas, the median signing bonus is USD 30,000 (INR 25 L). Given below are some details of the Stanford University placements:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Placement Rate | 88% |
| Median Annual Base Salary | USD 185,000 (INR 1.6 Cr) |
| Median Signing Bonus | USD 30,000 (INR 25 L) |
Mean Annual Base Salary | USD 187,504 (INR 1.6 Cr) |
| Top Industries | Finance, Technology, Consulting |
Source: StanfordUniversity MBA Employment Report 2024
Stanford UniversityStudent profile
Others
46%
Asian
25%
Hispanic
18%
Black
8%
Out of state
48%
In state
34%
Foreign
17%
24 and under
98%
25 and over
1%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
Stanford UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Stanford University FAQs
Stanford University is one of the hardest universities to get into. Additionally, the university has no minimum GPA requirements for its undergraduate programs. Generally, the enrolled students have good GPAs ranging from 3.8 to 4.0. Stanford University advises students to take five classes every semester.
For Indian students, the cost of pursuing MBA in Stanford University is INR 32 L - 1 Cr per academic year. Note that the duration of this MBA programme is around 9 months - 2 years. It is expensive course, return on investment is quite impressive as PG receive a median annual base salary of USD 182500 -INR 1.52 Cr along with a median signing bonus of USD 30000 INR 25 L per year. Also this salary is expected to grow every year based on the candidate skill set and performance.
1 USD - INR 83.53
In terms of rankings, the Oxford University has an upper hand among all the three universities. But, Harvard Uni offers great placement packages. The table given below can be referred to know the ROI and rankings of these universities:
| Parameters | Harvard University | Oxford University | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS Rankings 2026 | #5 | #4 | #3 |
| Average Package (Base Salary) | USD 175,000 or INR 1.5 Cr | GBP 83,410 or INR 88 L | USD 189,010 or INR 1.6 Cr |
| Fees for MBA | INR 18 L - 62 L | INR 29 L - 83 L | INR 32 L - 1 Cr |
Yes, in 1980, Mukesh Ambani dropped his MBA degree at Stanford Uni to come back to India. Then, he joined his family business to build Reliance. Other famous celebrities who have studied at Stanford Uni are Rishi Sunak, Sundar Pichai, Akshata Murty, Azim Premji, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jennifer Connelly, Reese Witherspoon, etc.
Yes, Stanford University in Stanford, California charges an application fee for admissions. Students can pay the Stanford University application fee either through an e-check or credit card.. Given below are the details:
Course Level | Application Fee |
|---|---|
Undergraduate Students | USD 90 (INR 7.5 K) |
Graduate Students | USD 125 (INR 10.4 K) |
MBA Students | USD 275 (INR 23 K) |
Note: Since the application fee is non-refundable, applicants do not receive any refund even if they withdraw the application.
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 83.53
Mostly for UG courses, Stanford Uni do not need language proficiency scores. It is not a mandatory requirement. Students can send the test scores if they want to. English is a pre-requisite for studied at Stanford University.
Stanford University
Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
The UG students who received an offer letter from Stanford University should confirm their enrollment and accept the offer by May 1, 2026.
The mentioned deadline is applicable to both kinds of Stanford applications: Early Action and Regular Decision. For Stanford PG courses, the date would be menti
Answered a month ago
There are many transportation services at Stanford like Parking facilities and shuttle service. There are sustainable commuting options so you can get around campus without car. Other services include emergency rides.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Both of the institutions are insanely tough to get into, but Indian students may have a better shot at MIT admissions rather than Stanford University. Given are the pointers -
- The reason being the MIT acceptance rate is 4.5% and for Stanford, it is just 3.61%.
- To get into either of these universities
B
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Based on an unofficial source, the Engineering department of Stanford University enrolls the the highest number of students each year. Look at the pointers given below -
- The most popular courses, Indian students apply for are in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
- Additionally, the Stanford
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, for all new Indian students, it is important to go through an orientation program.
The orientation is mandatory for the knowledge of the student dorms and living in the US.
M
Contributor-Level 10
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